Electric coffee roasting emerges as novelties in the industry

In the heart of America, the Midwest is witnessing a flurry of energy and environmental developments. Here's a roundup of some of the key happenings:

Michigan

Michigan's large investor-owned utilities are in discussions with data centers, a move that could potentially increase demand load. This has raised concerns about clean energy targets, as the state aims to transition towards a more sustainable future. Meanwhile, Governor Gretchen Whitmer's latest appointee to the state's utility oversight board is facing criticism from some members of her own party.

Ohio

Ohio has seen an increase in the plugging of orphan oil and gas wells, with over 1,200 wells plugged in the last five years. This development is a positive step towards environmental safety, as these wells, if left unattended, can pose significant risks.

In a different turn of events, automaker Rivian has sued the state of Ohio over a law barring automakers from selling directly to consumers.

Minnesota

Minnesota Power is planning to start construction next year on a 200 MW wind project in central North Dakota. Meanwhile, a Minnesota landfill is working on a project to process 75,000 tons of food waste and other organic material annually.

The state's utility Xcel Energy has been allowed by a court to reduce community solar subscribers' compensation rates, a decision that has sparked debate among renewable energy advocates.

Illinois

Illinois' largest utility, ComEd, is deploying community leaders to raise awareness about electric vehicles. ComEd's efforts are part of a broader strategy to promote clean energy and sustainable transportation.

Indiana

AES Indiana is under scrutiny for allegedly violating federal law by pumping contaminants into a river near a coal ash containment site.

Iowa

A southeastern Iowa county has enacted a year-long moratorium on utility-scale solar and storage projects, a move that has sparked discussions about the balance between renewable energy development and local control.

MISO Grid Region

Adding about 11 GW of batteries in the MISO grid region could potentially save about $27 billion in costs by 2035, according to a recent report.

Michigan and Ford

Ford has announced plans to commission two battery storage facilities with a total capacity of 75 MW in Michigan next year. This move is aimed at managing peak demand and supporting the growing electric vehicle market.

Massachusetts and Electric Vehicles

In an interesting turn of events, a Massachusetts town has banned gas, but housing still boomed, suggesting that a shift towards cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions is possible without compromising on development and growth.

Minnesota Coffee Roaster

In a more local development, a Minneapolis coffee roaster is using a commercial-scale electric roaster, demonstrating that businesses can make a positive environmental impact by choosing cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions.

Used EV Batteries

Used EV batteries could potentially upend the race for long-duration storage, offering a promising solution for energy storage as the electric vehicle market continues to grow.