Category: Knowledge Center America

Factors Driving Electricity Prices in Maine: Report

Electricity rates in Maine are under pressure due to a combination of factors, including dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation, growing storm-related costs, aging infrastructure, and inflationary pressures. The report finds that Maine can mitigate long-term cost and risk exposure by accelerating clean energy development, investing in load flexibility and energy efficiency, and strategically electrifying end uses that currently rely on fossil fuels.

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Navigating Energy Transition in Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa: Briefing

Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa diverge in important ways: Brazil is a net crude oil exporter with a commodity-dependent growth model; Indonesia relies heavily on domestically produced coal but remains a major importer of oil products; and South Africa is a net importer of most fossil fuels and faces a protracted electricity crisis driven by the decline of its coal-based utility system. This briefing provides a snapshot of political economy insights relating to dynamics around energy security in Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa.

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Global Electricity Trends and 2030 Forecast: Report

Global electricity demand is forecast to increase at a brisk average annual rate of 3.6% over the 2026-2030 forecast period, supported by rising consumption from industry, electric vehicles, air conditioning and data centres. Half of the world’s electricity is forecast to come from renewables and nuclear by 2030. Although coal generation is set to lose ground globally, it remains the single largest source of electricity in 2030. The Age of Electricity requires a fast and efficient expansion of grids and system flexibility.

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US Grid Transmission Planning: Report

The US grid is changing rapidly. Electrification, new energy‑intensive loads, more frequent extreme weather, aging assets, and a shifting resource mix are reshaping when and where electricity is needed. This report addresses a central challenge: US transmission planning remains fragmented across several planning areas including generator interconnection, load interconnection, reliability, economic, asset replacement, and public policy, tracks that have separate mandates and operate on misaligned timelines and with different assumptions.

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Energy Efficiency in Southeast US: Report 

The Southeast faces an affordability crisis and unprecedented load growth due to data centers, doubly stressing utility planning and customer finances. A well-designed portfolio of energy efficiency programs can produce significant cost savings for customers while also reducing exposure to fuel cost volatility and the financial risk that utilities will overbuild to meet load that may not materialize. Now more than ever, southeast utilities should seriously pursue energy efficiency for customer and utility cost savings and for risk management.

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Electric Truck and Bus Market in US: Report

In the third quarter of 2025 (Q3 2025), 116,279 new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs), comprising trucks and buses, were registered in the United States, of which 594 (0.51%) were zero emission. As in the two previous quarters of 2025, the market shrank year-over-year, with 10.5% fewer total registrations compared with Q3 2024. Zero-emission MHDV registrations decreased by 3.6% year-over-year.

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Illinois Clean Manufacturing Roadmap: Report

As the next-generation technologies continue down the cost curve and improve in performance, this report “Illinois Clean Manufacturing Roadmap” published by RMI provides a plan for Illinois policymakers to ease  the transition to clean manufacturing and production methods. Manufacturing is a driving force of the Illinois economy. Across the state, approximately 580,000 Illinoisans  are employed in manufacturing, specializing in products ranging from food and beverage to biofuel inputs. 

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Chile 2050 Energy Transition Roadmap: Report

The Chile 2050 Energy Transition Roadmap provides an overview of the current energy landscape in Chile, including key trends in supply and demand, the energy mix, and the policy environment shaping energy development. It presents a detailed, sector-by-sector analysis of the energy transition roadmap, beginning with an assessment of total energy demand and covering end-use sectors – transport, industry and buildings – as well as the power sector and the role of fuels such as oil, gas, coal and bioenergy.

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New York State Energy Profiles: Report

In December 2025, the Energy Markets team of NYSERDA published Patterns & Trends – New York State Energy Profiles 2009-2023, a compilation of energy statistics and data on energy consumption, supply sources, prices, and expenditure information for New York State. The report presents New York State (NYS) energy statistics, evaluating energy consumption and prices over the past 15 years. These energy statistics provide a baseline reference for various research efforts conducted by NYSERDA and other government agencies, authorities, academia, and the public.

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Decarbonizing Brazil’s Ammonia Fertilizer Supply Chain: Report

Brazil’s endowment of renewable energy resources provides an opportunity to progress the PNF domestic production goals with cost-competitive low-carbon fertilizer production. Analysis indicates green ammonia and fertilizer prices are cost-competitive with blue and  grey in some locations with favorable conditions. There is a clear need for bold, early action with effective levers to overcome the challenges and bring  this opportunity to reality to transform Brazil’s fertilizer supply from import-dependent to self-sustaining, competitive, and climate-aligned. 

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Net Zero Mobility in Brazil: Brief

Brazil recently published a new climate plan for public consultation, the Plano Clima Mitigação Estratégia Nacional, a mitigation and adaptation strategy defining key policies and sector-specific targets for the next 10 years (to 2035). The mitigation plans highlight electric vehicles (EVs) and biofuels as central to decarbonizing transportation but do not include clear electrification targets or guidelines on how to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This research brief seeks to determine the most effective pathway for mitigating road transport GHG emissions in Brazil.

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Impact of EV Transition on Automotive Jobs in US: Report

More than 1 million workers are directly involved in the manufacturing of automobiles and automotive parts across the United States. This report examines how the transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to battery electric vehicles (BEV) will impact automotive manufacturing jobs. It provides insights into the types of at-risk and in-demand occupations and skill sets, workforce training needs, geographic distribution of investment and jobs, and job quality concerns.

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Interconnection Queue Rationing Across US Grid: Report

This report explores the growing trend of interconnection queue rationing across four major regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs)—PJM Interconnection LLC (PJM), the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), Southwest Power Pool (SPP), and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO). Each has adopted distinct approaches to prioritize projects and manage limited transmission capacity.

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Maryland’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard: Report

The Maryland RPS Program is designed to support a stable and predictable market for energy generated from renewables, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate carbon–fueled generation from the State’s electric grid, and to lower the cost to consumers of electricity produced from these resources. Increasing reliance upon renewable energy technologies to satisfy electric power requirements can result in long-term emission reductions, increased fuel diversity, and economic benefits to the State.

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New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan: Report

The 2024 EMP was developed during a period of rapid change and growing complexity in the U.S. energy landscape. For the first time in two decades, national electricity demand is increasing annually, a trend expected to accelerate. In addition, New Jersey is navigating significant shifts within the PJM regional electricity market, including evolving resource adequacy rules and market design changes that are influencing electricity costs statewide. In the coming years, New Jersey will have to remain focused on energy affordability.

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Energy Sector Roadmap to Net Zero Emissions in Colombia: Report

The report aims to provide Colombian and international stakeholders with a clear outline of how Colombia can achieve net zero emissions, the role the energy sector can play, and the needed actions and investments. Colombia is the world’s tenth-largest coal producer, with reserves that could supply the country for more than 50 years. The total energy demand in Colombia almost doubled from 2000 to 2024. Modern bioenergy has played an increasing role in the mix. The country has strong potential from solar and wind, yet in 2024 these sources accounted for less than 1% of the energy supply. 

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Energy Transition Outlook for South America: Report

South America’s energy transition requires substantial investments in storage, back-up capacity and new grid infrastructure to manage variability and maintain reliability. Hydropower has traditionally provided the flexibility necessary to balance the system, but long-term uncertainty around water resources and the heightened risk of droughts due to climate change mean that complementary sources of back-up will be essential.

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Energising E-Truck Charging Facilities in US: Brief

Electric utilities and their regulators in areas with high electricity rates face tension between being obligated to support decarbonization and electrification objectives but also keep rates affordable for consumers. These competing objectives create an information gap and can slow down decision-making for regulators, utilities, and businesses. The brief finds that the estimated total cost of a small depot charging facility prototype is $7.9 million, a medium charging facility is $15.4 million, and a large prototype has a total cost of $15 million.

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Boosting Investment in Seattle’s Charging Infrastructure: Brief

The City of Seattle and Seattle City Light have made supporting transportation electrification a core priority for the years ahead. Although still nascent, ZE-MHDVs have the potential to be a significant source of new load for City Light because fleets serving the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma are expected to electrify over the next 10–15 years. This brief assesses existing strategic plans guiding City Light’s approach to transportation electrification.

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Brazil’s Biofuel Experience: Report

Brazil’s experience, particularly with bioethanol, exemplifies a compelling model for sustainable decarbonisation. It offers a low-cost and competitive pathway, significantly contributing to global energy transitions. By fostering market competition through a conducive regulatory environment and strategically employing tax policies to influence fuel consumption, Brazil actively supports the shift towards biofuels. This report focuses on the Brazilian experience and perspectives on ethanol, biodiesel and some advanced biofuels.

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