1. Houston leaders form coalition to boost Texas power grid with new tech

Learning: "A Houston-based coalition that launched this month aims to educate Texas officials about technology designed to shore up the state’s power grid.

The public-private Texas Reliability Coalition says it will promote utility-scale microgrid technology geared toward strengthening the resilience and reliability of the Texas power grid, particularly during extreme weather."

Implication: "Houston-based CenterPoint Energy will test the utility-scale microgrid technology being promoted by the coalition."

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2. New Map Shows Industrial Electrification Gaining Momentum in U.S.

Learning: "New interactive map shows dozens of installed and planned industrial electrification projects in the United States, demonstrating growing momentum in sectors including food and beverage manufacturing, chemicals, and lumber.”

Implication: "Electrification of many low- to medium-temperature processes can help manufacturers improve efficiency and stabilize and reduce costs. American manufacturers are beginning to adopt industrial heat pumps (IHPs) and thermal batteries but are being outpaced by global competitors. Examples of installations and data on their operations can help more companies considering electrifying take the next steps and can inform state and local policymakers seeking to accelerate adoption."

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3. Existing US grid can handle ‘significant’ new flexible load: Duke University report

Learning: The study found "a key solution to the United States' soaring electrical demand—driven by unprecedented electricity needs from data centers and their booming artificial intelligence workloads, alongside other consumers—is load flexibility. Flexibility allows large electricity users to temporarily reduce consumption during periods of grid stress by shifting workloads, utilizing on-site generation, or adjusting operations. By leveraging flexibility, new large loads can be interconnected more quickly while reducing the need for premature investment in additional power plants and transmission lines—offering a hedge against uncertainty in future electricity demand in light of the release of DeepSeek." 

Implication: "This first-of-its-kind, national-scale analysis provides a first-order estimate of how much new flexible load could be added across the 22 largest US balancing authorities, which collectively serve 95% of the grid. The study introduces a new concept—curtailment-enabled headroom—to describe how much additional load the grid can absorb using existing capacity, with only modest, short-duration reductions in usage. The findings highlight a significant opportunity: nearly 100 GW of large new loads could be integrated with minimal impact, supporting economic growth while maintaining grid reliability and affordability."

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4. Illinois’ Largest Electric Company Unveils $100M to Spur EV Adoption

Learning: "An Illinois utility is moving forward with a massive investment to promote wider EV adoption.

At a press conference last Thursday ahead of the 2025 Chicago Auto Show, ComEd announced $100 million in new rebates designed to boost EV fleet purchases and charging stations across northern Illinois. The program helps meet the mandate for the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which calls for 1 million EVs on the roads by 2030."

Implication: "Since launching its EV rebate program last year, ComEd has funded projects in more than 300 ZIP codes, including nearly 3,500 residential and commercial charging ports, and provided funding for municipalities, businesses, and school districts to purchase more than 200 new and pre-owned EV fleet vehicles. The utility designated more than half the available rebate funds for low-income customers and projects in environmental justice communities.

ComEd also partners with the Chicago-area Metropolitan Mayors Caucus on the EVReadiness Program, which helps local governments create ordinances and safety and infrastructure plans to accommodate the growing demand for EVs in their communities. Since its initiation, more than 41 northern Illinois municipalities have participated in the program."

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5. Microsoft is buying power from three new utility-scale solar projects in Illinois and Texas

Learning: "Microsoft has entered into virtual power purchase agreements with EDP Renewables North America for nearly 400 megawatts of solar from a trio of projects."

Implication: One of the projects is the Cattleman II Solar Project near Austin, TX. "Cattlemen II in Texas will... contribute millions in taxes, benefiting the local school district and local government. The project created about 300 construction jobs and will support several permanent jobs in the area."