Powering Progress: The Clean Energy Tools Already Working for Households

by | Apr 21, 2025 | News

Despite the recent federal policy rollbacks of hard-won gains, the path to addressing energy affordability depends on all households having access to reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective energy upgrades now.  Distributed energy resources (DERs) and virtual power plants (VPPs)  are unlocking even greater potential to drive energy efficiency and resilience, and we are keen to share with you the latest in our pursuits with field partners.  If any of these endeavors spark your interests, please be in touch!

New utility guide to scale inclusive utility investments to improve clean energy access

Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), in partnership with Clean Energy Works, recently released Inclusive Utility Investment Guide for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), which shares an overview of inclusive utility investment, program development and approval, program evaluation and reporting, and real-world examples of successful inclusive utility investment programs.

To scale solutions like energy efficiency, DERs, and virtual power plants, utilities can turn to inclusive utility investments to expand access and deliver benefits to households and businesses, especially in communities who need it most.

In an accompanying blog post to the guide, co-author and Clean Energy Works’ Director of Building Decarbonization, Matt Flaherty, shares deeper insights into how inclusive utility investments can unlock wider access to VPP-enabling technologies like rooftop solar, battery storage, smart thermostats, and electric water heaters. He also explores how utilities, regulators, and other key stakeholders can play a pivotal role in deploying these programs to break down cost barriers, scale DERs, and deliver grid-wide benefits.
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Department of Energy (DOE) releases 2025 update to VPP Liftoff Report, prioritizing accessibility for communities who need it most

Building on the 2023 VPP Liftoff Report, this update emphasizes over 75 real-world examples and 60+ DOE and industry resources as critical tools for advancing national energy goals and shaping robust policy frameworks for scaling VPPs. Together, these examples highlight actionable pathways to accelerate VPP deployment, address pressing grid needs, and move investments in ways that prioritize affordability and accessibility.

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Duke University study Rethinking Load Growth offers smarter path to grid reliability

With data centers and industrial manufacturing driving rapidly growing electricity demand, how can we keep the grid reliable and affordable without massive infrastructure expansion? A new report from the Nicholas Institute at Duke University explores how existing “headroom” in our power system could absorb significant new electricity loads through flexible load management, complementing new energy investments and fueling economic growth while reducing the need for costly capacity expansions.
Read the report

Public News Service: Programs in rural NC, other states provides cost-efficient energy upgrades

Rural Americans pay up to 40% more on energy than urban households — but solutions are within reach.

Programs like Roanoke Cooperative’s Upgrade to $ave in North Carolina are proving that energy efficiency upgrades don’t have to mean debt, and Clean Energy Works has participated in that endeavor since its launch. Through inclusive utility investments, customers can access home upgrades, and Roanoke Cooperative is also among the first to include demand response in their offer.

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Rural Power Coalition showcases inclusive utility investments as a solution to rural energy challenges

Member-owners of rural electric cooperatives could save a lot of money by improving their homes’ energy efficiency and demand flexibility. But the upfront cost of those upgrades might be out of reach for many.

That’s where inclusive utility investments come into play. Rural Power Coalition recently released a new short video to see how inclusive utility investments work and where they’re already saving folks money! 

Clean Energy Works presents on inclusive utility investments at REC Co-Lab

Our team members, Kai Palmer-Dunning and Camille Minns, presented at REC’s Co-lab on Tuesday, March 25! They explored how inclusive utility investments can help close the rural energy gap by tackling customer-level and system-level barriers to scale, access, and equity.

Are you attending the 2025 FORTH Roadmap Conference?

Clean Energy Works is proud to support the 2025 Forth Roadmap Conference as a Community Partner! Join us October 14-16, 2025 in Detroit, MI, at the nation’s leading electric transportation conference to connect with industry leaders, explore emerging trends, and shape the future of mobility.


Use CEW75 for $75 off full conference tickets. Find out more and register at roadmapforth.org. We hope to see you there!

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At Clean Energy Works, we’re honored to work alongside partners who are building scalable and inclusive solutions. 

Thank you for staying connected with us. Let’s keep pushing forward!