Shielding Failure Analysis of Extra High Voltage Unconventional Transmission Lines with Increased Power Delivery Capability

Lightning is a natural phenomenon, and extra high voltage (EHV) transmission lines (TL) are prone to it due to the high altitude of EHV towers and lines. Though adequate steps are taken to minimize its effect, many incidents occur where lightning is the main cause of the line outage. On the verge of an era where the distribution and generation sectors are undergoing drastic changes, the transmission line must also modify its design to cope with this wave. In this context, unconventional high surge impedance loading (HSIL) lines emerge as a potential game changer. Various electrical, mechanical, and structural aspects …

Embodied Carbon Pathways to 2050 for the United States

Embodied carbon ‒ the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by the manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal of construction materials used in buildings, roads, and other infrastructure ‒ is a critical and often overlooked solution for addressing climate change.…

A Flexibility-Oriented Bidding Strategy for Virtual Power Plants Incorporating Local Energy Communities: A Bi-Level Stochastic-Robust Methodology

Recent increases in flexibility requirements for power systems with high penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) highlight the substantial potential of market mechanisms to unlock customer flexibility. However, market-based frameworks inherently involve conflicting objectives among players and face significant challenges in coordinating demand-side flexibility under uncertainty, where the virtual power plant (VPP) concept can offer surplus benefits to various players. This paper proposes a risk-aware bidding and pricing strategy for VPPs to enable market-based flexibility provision concerning the cost and availability of distributed energy resources (DERs), which fully reveals the role of local energy communities (LECs). To this end, a …

Monthly Oil & Gas Data Review (August 2025)

Summary findings from the latest JODI Oil & Gas Database update.…

Mitigating Emissions and Costs Through Demand-Side Solutions in Chinese Residential Buildings

The building sector plays a pivotal role in climate change mitigation. By regulating the demand for services and products from supply sectors, building sector can contribute to decarbonization. To assess the decarbonization and cost-saving potential of demand-side solutions for China’s residential building sector, this study develops a demand-side solution framework and an end-use technology model. The model covers the building sector and major supply sectors, considering the heterogeneous impacts of demand-side solution measures on different supply sectors. Here we show that the most optimistic cost-effective demand-side solution can reduce cumulative CO₂ emissions by 47% (42.21 Gt CO₂-eq), while achieving a …

Optimizing Wind-PV-Battery Microgrids for Sustainable and Resilient Residential Communities

Integrating solar and wind energy with battery storage systems into microgrids is gaining prominence in both remote areas and high-rise urban buildings. Optimally designing all distributed energy resources (DERs) within a microgrid enhances self-sufficiency, reliability, and economic feasibility. However, due to the inherent unpredictability of DERs, a robust stochastic-based optimization approach is crucial. This article proposes a Grey Wolf-based multi-objective optimization technique for wind-solar-battery-assisted residential microgrids. The method aims to minimize renewable energy costs by determining the optimal sizing of components based on a given microgrid load profile. To address the global energy trilemma, the microgrid is modeled with economic, …

Grid Congestion Stymies Climate Benefit from U.S. Vehicle Electrification

Averting catastrophic global warming requires decisive action to decarbonize key sectors. Vehicle electrification, alongside renewable energy integration, is a long-term strategy toward zero carbon emissions. However, transitioning to fully renewable electricity may take decades—during which electric vehicles may still rely on carbon-intensive electricity. We analyze the critical role of the transmission network in enabling or constraining emissions reduction from U.S. vehicle electrification. Our models reveal that the available transmission capacity severely limits potential CO₂ emissions reduction. With adequate transmission, full electrification could nearly eliminate vehicle operational CO₂emissions once renewable generation reaches the existing nonrenewable capacity. In contrast, …

Recommended Practices for CNG Powered Refuse Trucks and the Supporting Facilities for Refueling and Maintenance

The growth of natural gas vehicle (NGV) fleets in recent years is a testament to the great progress being made by heavy-duty truck owners and operators to improve sustainability, reduce emissions, and lower their total cost of ownership (TCO). While the NGV industry largely references codes and standards published by trusted standard development organizations that specify requirements for the design and configuration of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, there are many processes and procedures that fleets must consider in order to keep their operations running smoothly, safely, and efficiently at all times.

Fleet owners must use all available industry resources, …

Creating Transition Intelligence

To keep pace with evolving regulatory expectations and market developments, financial institutions are increasingly turning to corporate transition assessments — evaluations of how a client or investee will be affected by, and respond to, the energy transition — to gain insights into climate-related risks and opportunities. Although existing practices provide a good foundation, targeted improvements to transition assessments have the potential to deliver the decision-useful intelligence needed to guide financial decision-making across institutions.…

A Brief Overview of Major US Clean Energy Tax Policy (2005–2025)

 Energy Policy Act of 1992, permanent 10% ITC for solar and geothermal Long-standing wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, biogas production and investment credits (other than permanent 10% ITC) set to expire end of 2021.…