Scientists are building tools to safely unlock energy that's deep underground. The goal? Expand geothermal energy as a 24/7 power source for the American West and beyond. 🌋💡
newscenter.lbl.gov/2026/04/06/scientists-de...
Updated data on electricity price trends and drivers from the folks at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social: emp.lbl.gov/retail-elect...
Berkeley Lab releases series of reports on regulatory barriers affecting microgrids #energysky -- via pv magazine usa:
Check out the report here, in the Journal of Building Engineering: emp.lbl.gov/publications...
LBNL will host a webinar on this article on 4/2 at 10am PT / 1pm ET. Register here: lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi... /end
We estimate that electrical panels (even small ones) in most homes have capacity to accommodate new loads. The median 100A panel in our model has up to 62A of headroom. This headroom may enable many homes to avoid electrical panel replacements when adding new loads. 4/x
Electrical panels need available breaker space to accommodate new loads, but we estimate that at least 20% of panels of all sizes have no available breaker space. Homes with larger-capacity electrical panels generally have more available breaker space. 3/x
We estimate that most U.S. single-family homes (58%) have electrical panels with at least 200A of capacity, but the share of these panels varies by state. For example, homes in Southern states are most likely to have 200A panels, while homes in Northeastern states are least likely. 2/x
Electrical breaker panel
Data on electrical panels is important for understanding the costs and grid impacts of adding new loads to homes. A new study from @BerkeleyLab provides nationwide estimates of electrical panel capacity, available breaker space, and panel headroom for new loads in U.S. single-family homes.🔌🏠 1/x
In case you missed our webinar with NARUC and NASEO on January 23, 2026, you can watch the presentation and download the slides here: emp.lbl.gov/informationa... /END
For more information on sandboxes and other innovation mechanisms, see the @berkeleylab.lbl.gov report, emp.lbl.gov/publications.... 4/x
States, public power utilities, and rural cooperatives can also apply for LBNL technical assistance to consider, develop, and implement sandboxes - or novel pilots and programs - for advanced T&D technologies like smart reclosers, advanced conductors, and flexible transformers. 3/x
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's (LBNL) new Regulatory Sandbox Navigator toolkit provides information for states and utilities on how to use sandboxes to promote innovation, examples across the country, and practical materials to tailor a sandbox to meet local objectives. 2/x
Advanced technologies for transmission and distribution (T&D) can increase capacity and improve electricity reliability and affordability. But they don’t easily scale under traditional regulatory practices. “Sandboxes” reduce barriers to deploying these innovative technologies. <THREAD>
A reminder: State agencies and utilities are encouraged to apply for free technical assistance to develop and implement regulatory sandboxes for advanced transmission and distribution technologies by February 13th. Find out more at emp.lbl.gov/regulatory-s....
What are regulatory sandboxes? -->
The report, “Interregional Electricity Transmission in the United States: Realized Savings and Opportunities for Increased Value, 2014 to 2023” appears in The Energy Journal. Download the PDF here: doi.org/10.1177/0195.... /end
The study looks at hourly energy transfers across thirty-two US transmission interfaces, from 2014 to 2023. By comparing real-time energy prices in the exporting and importing regions, it gauges the economic efficacy of transactions. 4/x
The net saving of $679 million could be much higher if uneconomic trades were avoided and all economic opportunities were pursued. Using existing transmission capacity, another $789 million could be regained. 3/x
As much as a quarter of all interregional transactions are uneconomical – that is, higher priced power is imported when cheaper local power is available. In the worst case, up to 81% of transactions are uneconomic. 2/x
Electricity trades across regions can save money, but market inefficiencies can erode those savings. A new study from @BerkeleyLab finds $1.23 billion a year in gross savings were offset by $551 million of uneconomic transactions. 🧵 🔌 💡 1/x
A reminder that our webinar on "regulatory sandboxes" starts in 15 minutes. For members of NARUC and NASEO only.
Register here:
lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
State utility commissions and energy offices can register for a webinar with NARUC and NASEO on January 23, 2026. Register here: lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi.... / END
Learn more about the Sandbox program at sandbox-navigator.lbl.gov
For more information on sandboxes and other innovation mechanisms, see the @BerkeleyLab report at emp.lbl.gov/publications.... 4/x
States, public power utilities, and rural cooperatives can also apply for technical assistance to consider, develop, and implement sandboxes - or novel pilots and programs - for advanced T&D technologies like smart reclosers, advanced conductors, and flexible transformers. 3/x
Berkeley Lab's new Regulatory Sandbox Navigator toolkit provides information for states and utilities on how to use sandboxes to promote innovation, examples across the country, and practical materials to tailor a sandbox to meet local objectives. 2/x
Advanced technologies for transmission and distribution (T&D) can increase capacity and improve electricity reliability and affordability. But they don’t easily scale under traditional regulatory practices. “Sandboxes” reduce barriers to deploying these innovative technologies. <THREAD>
The recording of yesterday's policy forum on data centers and resource use, co-hosted with the MSU Institute of Public Policy & Social Research, is now online. Thanks to our panelists for sharing their expertise: Dr. Ryan Wiser (LBNL), Dr. Dong Zhao (MSU), and Mr. Douglas Jester (5 Lakes Energy).
Next Tuesday: join this free webinar on distributed energy resources from @berkeleylab.lbl.gov.
The Institute of Public Utilities is proud to be teaming up with the MSU Institute of Public Policy & Social Research on their 12/16 policy forum! The event will be recorded.
Topic: Data centers and energy/water use
Guests: Ryan Wiser (LBNL), Douglas Jester (5 Lakes Energy), and Dong Zhao (MSU).
Learn how to maintain a reliable and secure grid with distributed energy resources.
Join @berkeleylab.lbl.gov and panelists from the Georgia PSC, @nreca.bsky.social Puget Sound Energy, and @nationalgrid.bsky.social for a free i2X webinar on Dec 16.
Register: lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join @berkeleylab.lbl.gov and panelists from the Georgia PSC, @nreca.bsky.social, Puget Sound Energy, and @nationalgrid.bsky.social for a free i2X webinar on Dec 16. Learn solutions for maintaining a reliable and secure grid with distributed energy resources. Register: lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi...