Latest news with #KendalBowman
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Carolina eyes grid-enhancing tech to improve aging power lines
Last summer, utility Duke Energy joined U.S. and state officials to announce with fanfare that it would rebuild a 40-mile transmission line between hurricane-prone Goldsboro and Raleigh, North Carolina. The company said the new infrastructure would result in fewer power outages, more solar connected to the grid, and hundreds of new jobs. Funded jointly by the federal government and Duke, the project highlighted how advanced technology can help solve the problems posed by an aging electric grid: It will include cables better able to withstand extreme weather and modern support structures that can accommodate new sources of power. 'The grant announced today by the Department of Energy is a win for the communities Duke Energy serves, and signals North Carolina's leadership in the energy transition,' Kendal Bowman, president of the utility's North Carolina operations, said at the time. But advocates and experts say the Lee-Milburnie transmission line in Eastern North Carolina is just the tip of the iceberg. To save consumers money and meet growing energy demand, they believe policymakers should follow other states' lead and encourage Duke to perform many more grid upgrades like the one unveiled last summer. Bipartisan legislation that would do just that failed to meet a key deadline last week, but its contents could still end up in another bill before the session ends later this year. Backers of the measure remain hopeful, in part because it would benefit all energy sources, not just renewable ones. 'It's not a clean energy bill,' said Mel Mackin, state policy director for the nonprofit advocacy group Ceres. 'It's a grid-modernization bill. It's about upgrading transmission lines to improve efficiency, to improve reliability. It's about reducing grid congestion. We're hopeful legislators will see it that way.' In North Carolina, as across the country, the transmission grid — the network of high-voltage lines designed to transport electrons across long distances — faces a confluence of challenges. For one thing, the grid is old: about 70% of today's transmission lines were installed at least 35 years ago. These aging conductors have much less capacity than newer ones, said North Carolina-based Maureen Quinlan, senior officer for energy modernization at The Pew Charitable Trusts. Old lines are also susceptible to failure from normal wear and tear as well as from extreme weather events like hurricanes and heat waves, causing 'road closures' on the electricity highway. 'An element of the grid may go out, and you have to reroute the power,' Quinlan explained. 'Detours are always going to be slower; you're on smaller roads. That's going to create inefficiencies.' The resulting grid congestion from existing, interconnected power suppliers is one 'today problem,' said Quinlan. A study from the consulting firm Grid Strategies estimated these bottlenecks cost consumers some $11.5 billion nationwide in 2023 because they force utilities looking to avoid congested areas to dispatch more expensive electricity than they otherwise would. A second challenge for the present is the long line of projects waiting to merge onto the clogged highway that is the transmission grid. In North Carolina and throughout the Southeast, that 'interconnection queue' is dominated by solar farms and battery storage. As Duke and other utilities race to build power plants of all kinds to supply large data centers, manufacturing plants, electric vehicles, and more, the queue is poised to lengthen until the road is widened — that is, until the grid's capacity is expanded. 'You already have a system that's experiencing a lot of these constraints and backlogs,' said Quinlan. 'That's going to be compounded by growing energy demand.' Addressing today's bottlenecks helps utilities save money to address a hurdle for tomorrow: building brand new highways to bring large sources of energy, such as offshore wind, to population centers, such as the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area known as The Triangle. That's why experts are increasingly looking to advanced transmission technologies, which can quickly be added to the existing grid to allow it to carry more power. 'They can be deployed in a matter of months to a few years,' said Quinlan, 'and they're also very cost-effective. [Some] can pay for themselves in less than six months, so they're seen as a bridge to these bigger transmission grid-level needs.' The technologies include both hardware and software. Carbon composite conductors, for instance, are up to twice as efficient as traditional aluminum cables reinforced with steel, in part because they sag less when overheated. These modern lines are a key reason the Lee-Milburnie upgrade is expected to reduce the length of service interruptions by 10%. Through a process called dynamic line rating, utilities can place sensors on lines to assess temperature, wind speed, and other factors, allowing significantly more power to flow under favorable conditions. Installing advanced hardware is more economical than building new conventional transmission lines because it offers more bang for the buck, doesn't involve new rights-of-way, and reuses some existing infrastructure. One recent study found that replacing conventional lines with advanced conductors nationwide would increase the transmission grid's capacity by four times as much as only building new lines. Such 'reconductoring' would also save $85 billion by 2035 compared to business as usual. The Lee-Milburnie line, for instance, will allow 1,600 megawatts of solar and 260 megawatts of energy storage to connect to the grid in Eastern North Carolina. Duke also told regulators the project would bring $2.1 billion in benefits, The News and Observer reported. Advanced software technologies are also money-savers. A pair of studies from Quanta Technologies and The Brattle Group shows such software could reduce energy costs nationwide by over $5 billion annually, a former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission wrote in a Utility Dive opinion article last year. However, he wrote, 'a policy vacuum' in the U.S. is holding back adoption. From Arizona to Maine, there's growing bipartisan interest around the country in filling that void. Just this week, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, signed a bill requiring utilities to report on their advanced transmission efforts. Advocates made some headway in North Carolina last November, when the state Utilities Commission approved Duke's long-range carbon-reduction plan. Regulators wrote in their decision that they believe that grid-enhancing technologies 'can be used to overcome interconnection limits, address transmission outage challenges, and interconnect resources while transmission system upgrades are being constructed.' Commissioners ordered that Duke's next plan, a draft of which is due in September, report on the utility's progress toward implementing such technologies, including explanations for not proceeding with any grid enhancements it evaluated. Legislation sponsored by Rep. Kyle Hall, a Stokes County Republican who co-chairs the House Energy and Public Utilities Committee, would set that directive into law. 'That makes it more durable,' said Cassie Gavin, director of policy at the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. The proposed legislation, House Bill 814, also takes the order a step further, asking Duke to examine a full suite of advanced transmission technologies, including hardware modernization and new software. Gavin's group has long supported energy efficiency, she said, and promoting advanced transmission technologies is a logical next step. 'This is like energy efficiency for the grid,' she said. 'And it can benefit ratepayers at the same time, so it seems like a no-brainer.' Still, HB 814 as written won't be eligible to advance for the rest of the General Assembly's two-year session since it failed to pass the House by May 8. The bill also has yet to be discussed by a single legislative committee. Duke, which holds significant sway in the Republican-controlled legislature, hasn't taken a public stand on the legislation. However, the utility has previously expressed concern about challenges posed by grid-enhancement technologies. During its planning process last year, the company told regulators that such tools could 'contribute to operational complexities and reduced situational awareness.' Asked recently about Duke's position, a company spokesperson told Canary Media: 'We appreciate the importance of discussions around ensuring safe and reliable power infrastructure to serve our customers in North Carolina and will continue to work with policymakers and other state leaders toward that goal.' Official legislative deadlines notwithstanding, North Carolina lawmakers often combine an array of energy policies into one grand compromise bill; that's how they passed the state's bipartisan climate law in 2021. So, advocates remain hopeful that if there's enough political will, there will be a way. 'We're cautiously optimistic,' said Quinlan. 'We look forward to finding a path forward to promote [advanced transmission technologies] in the state as part of its energy future.'
Malaysian Reserve
24-04-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Duke Energy Foundation commits $500,000 to support local environmental impact programs across North Carolina
Applications for funding will be accepted through June 30 for eligible nonprofit organizations CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Duke Energy Foundation today announced a commitment of $500,000 in new funding designed to support local environmental impact programs across North Carolina. How it works: Eligible organizations can now apply for grants of up to $25,000. Applications are live on Duke Energy Foundation's website and will remain open until Monday, June 30, at 5 p.m. The impact: The funding will support programs focused on improving natural environments, enhancing community resilience, promoting land conservation, advancing clean water initiatives and supporting biodiversity. 'We are proud to support initiatives that enhance our natural surroundings and bolster community resilience,' said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. 'Our goal is to contribute to the well-being of the communities we serve by partnering with organizations which recognize that North Carolina's natural environment is one of our most important assets.' Looking back: During the past two years, the Foundation has provided funding to more than 50 environmental impact initiatives in North Carolina. Examples of recent collaborations include coastal restoration work, wildlife habitat rehabilitation and local environmental science educational programs. Duke Energy Foundation Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders. Duke Energy Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. More information is available at and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. Contact: Garrett Poorman 24-Hour: 800.559.3853 Twitter: @DukeEnergyNC
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Duke Energy Foundation announces $500,000 in grants to boost storm preparedness across NC
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — As businesses and homes in western NC are still recovering from last year's devastating hurricane, Duke Energy is finding more ways to help people prepare for the next damaging storm. The Duke Energy Foundation announced Thursday that it's dedicating $500,000 in grants to support storm preparedness and natural disaster response. Organizations across North Carolina can apply for the grants, which are awarded in increments up to $25,000, between now and April 25. 'The impact of Hurricane Helene last fall showed us the importance of strong collaboration between emergency management agencies, first responders and nonprofit organizations when it comes to natural disasters,' said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy North Carolina state president. 'We're proud to support storm preparedness efforts in the communities we serve as they continue to grow and see new opportunities to bolster resilience to severe weather events.' HELENE RECOVERY: Bill filed in NC Senate seeks $150 million for housing efforts in Helene-impacted areas Here are the types of programs and initiatives the Duke Energy Foundation is looking for: Collaborative programming across agencies, organizations and communities for disaster preparedness and response Initiatives for local communities to prepare for natural disasters or extreme weather Training, developing materials, kits and other community engagement and education initiatives to localize storm preparedness First responder training specifically for natural disaster scenarios HELENE RECOVERY: Part of I-40 in western NC to open by March This is not a new thing for the Duke Energy Foundation, as they have awarded nearly $5.6 million to storm preparedness since 2020, including funding for the City of Wimington to install new flood gauges, funding for the City of Raleigh to distribute weather radios to vulnerable neighborhoods and funding for a drone program in Person County for public safety measures during natural and manmade disasters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Duke Energy Expands Assistance Programs for Customers in Need
Duke Energy offers various assistance programs for low-income households, including bill credits, weatherization and free home energy assessments In 2024, nearly $90 million was provided in energy bill assistance to North Carolina customers, aiding over 114,000 households through programs like Share the Light Fund®, Customer Assistance Program (CAP) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) CHARLOTTE, NC / / February 27, 2025 / Duke Energy is committed to serving its customers and communities and offers programs and resources to help customers who may be experiencing trouble paying utility expenses due to financial hardships. "We realize that many of our customers are facing challenging times, and we are committed to finding ways to support them," said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy North Carolina state president. "Our payment assistance and energy and money-saving programs are designed to offer relief and help manage energy costs." What's New Now: Programs and services for Duke Energy qualifying customers have been updated for 2025 to offer more options for energy savings for those who need it most. These changes include: Weatherization - Incentives have increased for this free program that helps income-qualified customers reduce expenses and save energy through the installation of energy conservation measures around their homes. Among other incentives, the HVAC replacement incentive has increased from $6,000 to $8,000 and the refrigerator replacement has increased from $1,000 to $1,500. The program has also expanded its service providers and broadened eligibility for participation. Participating customers must have an income of less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Income-qualified Power Manager®/EnergyWise Home® - A new income-qualified demand response program allows electric heat customers who have previously qualified for a Duke Energy income-qualified program to receive a free smart thermostat, installed at no cost. The program is open to customers who have previously qualified for the Neighborhood Energy Saver, Weatherization or High Energy Use pilot programs. Customers will receive incentives in the form of bill credits for shifting energy use during peak demand, up to $150 depending on how they choose to participate. Neighborhood Energy $aver - Incentives have increased for this free program that offers walk-through energy assessments to help customers learn how their homes use energy and lower monthly electric bills as well as a variety of free energy-saving products. Customers for the program qualify based on the neighborhood they reside in. Qualifying neighborhoods must meet 50% of residents or more with an income of less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Why It Matters: In 2024, more than 114,000 eligible North Carolina households received nearly $90 million in energy bill assistance through Duke Energy programs like Share the Light Fund and Customer Assistance Program (CAP) as well as federal funding like Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). There's More: Duke Energy continues to offer resources for customers in need, including: Customer Assistance Program (CAP) - a 12-month program that provides a monthly credit of up to $42 to qualifying customers. Share the Light Fund - assistance for customers who need help paying their energy bill. Installment Plans - customized payment plans to break down charges into more manageable installments, helping make larger amounts more manageable. Other Ways to Save: Duke Energy's usage alerts and low- to no-cost tips can help customers save energy and money by providing them the tools they need to make informed decisions for their household energy use. Track your energy usage and making small adjustments within your home or business can help unlock energy savings. Reduce your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting - the lower the temperature, the more you can save. Set your water heater to 120 degrees. Water heating is typically the second-biggest user of energy in your home. Change your air filter and schedule regular maintenance for your heating systems. Maintaining your heating systems can help increase efficiency. Leave drapes or blinds open on the sunny side of the home to allow the sun's rays to warm the house but close them at night to help insulate your home. Operate ceiling fans in a clockwise direction in the winter to push warm air back down into the room. Seal cracks in windows, doors and vents with caulking and weatherstripping to save 10% to 20% in heating costs. Replace standard bulbs with LEDs. LEDs are more efficient than regular bulbs, while giving off the same amount of light. The Bottom Line: Get more information on energy-saving solutions and low- to no-cost energy-saving tips and projects on the Duke Energy Winter Energy Savings webpage: Need help reading your bill? Use our interactive tool: Reading Your Utility Bill - Duke Energy. Duke Energy Carolinas Duke Energy Carolinas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 20,700 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 24,000-square-mile service area in North Carolina and South Carolina. Duke Energy Progress Duke Energy Progress, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 13,800 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.7 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 28,000-square-mile service area in North Carolina and South Carolina. Duke Energy Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. More information is available at and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. Contact: Caroline Fountain 24-Hour: 800.559.3853 Twitter: @DE_CarolineF View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy Corporation on Contact Info:Spokesperson: Duke Energy CorporationWebsite: info@ SOURCE: Duke Energy Corporation View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
