Kevin Thorley
@kevinthorley.bsky.social
Father and husband living in Vermont. Focused on climate solutions; electrification, electric vehicles, transit, and clean energy in all its forms. Town energy committee member, work in the EV battery space, love spending time outdoors and playing guitar
Reposted by Kevin Thorley
The IRA cuts were devastating, but it's not accurate to say the IRA was repealed. Battery storage was spared, and remains a key ingredient in the clean energy transition:
Battery storage, spared from IRA cuts, poised to grow as power prices rise
Price arbitrage is an increasingly popular use case for utilities adding energy storage resources, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said Monday.
www.utilitydive.com
September 28, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The IRA cuts were devastating, but it's not accurate to say the IRA was repealed. Battery storage was spared, and remains a key ingredient in the clean energy transition:
Reposted by Kevin Thorley
Want to reduce electricity bills 20% by 2030?
Release the data! We have over 37GW of batteries, water heaters, etc that can participate in demand flexibilty. But without data access they can't bid into the PJM/MISO capacity auction to bring down costs.
Release the data! We have over 37GW of batteries, water heaters, etc that can participate in demand flexibilty. But without data access they can't bid into the PJM/MISO capacity auction to bring down costs.
Smart meters were all the rage in 2009 (aka Advanced Metering Infrastructure, AMI) and even then most of us knew they were unlikely to bring any real benefits for residential customers. Little did we know that Utilities using rickety Oracle and SAP systems would create a crisis. 🧵
September 28, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Want to reduce electricity bills 20% by 2030?
Release the data! We have over 37GW of batteries, water heaters, etc that can participate in demand flexibilty. But without data access they can't bid into the PJM/MISO capacity auction to bring down costs.
Release the data! We have over 37GW of batteries, water heaters, etc that can participate in demand flexibilty. But without data access they can't bid into the PJM/MISO capacity auction to bring down costs.
Reposted by Kevin Thorley
“Sometimes, when you’re in the middle of history, it’s hard to tell, because you’re in the middle of it. And it’s not just us [at DOE] that have been making history — although we have — it’s also all of you, and I embrace all of you as history makers.”
Jennifer Granholm
US Secretary of Energy
Jennifer Granholm
US Secretary of Energy
January 17, 2025 at 4:10 AM
“Sometimes, when you’re in the middle of history, it’s hard to tell, because you’re in the middle of it. And it’s not just us [at DOE] that have been making history — although we have — it’s also all of you, and I embrace all of you as history makers.”
Jennifer Granholm
US Secretary of Energy
Jennifer Granholm
US Secretary of Energy
Reposted by Kevin Thorley
Sales may have slipped in Europe but globally electric car sales are up a quarter, led by China but also in N America
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
Global electric vehicle sales up 25% in record 2024
Global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles rose by a quarter last year to over 17 million cars, helped by a fourth consecutive month of record sales in December as China continued to grow and Europe stabilised, data showed on Tuesday.
www.reuters.com
January 14, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Sales may have slipped in Europe but globally electric car sales are up a quarter, led by China but also in N America
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
Perfect weather for a climb up and ski descent down the west side of Mt Mansfield yesterday
January 13, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Perfect weather for a climb up and ski descent down the west side of Mt Mansfield yesterday
Reposted by Kevin Thorley
ABC, NBC & CBS dedicated about 16 minutes of airtime last night to the California wildfires without once mentioning climate change.
Since the news failed do it's job, here's a short summary of the role of climate change and wildfire risk:
www.noaa.gov/noaa-wildfir...
Since the news failed do it's job, here's a short summary of the role of climate change and wildfire risk:
www.noaa.gov/noaa-wildfir...
Wildfire climate connection
Climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States during the last ...
www.noaa.gov
January 8, 2025 at 8:03 PM
ABC, NBC & CBS dedicated about 16 minutes of airtime last night to the California wildfires without once mentioning climate change.
Since the news failed do it's job, here's a short summary of the role of climate change and wildfire risk:
www.noaa.gov/noaa-wildfir...
Since the news failed do it's job, here's a short summary of the role of climate change and wildfire risk:
www.noaa.gov/noaa-wildfir...
Reposted by Kevin Thorley
Occasional reminder that there’s no, “it’s too late, its over” for anthropogenic climate change. Every molecule of CO2 that doesn’t go into the atmosphere makes a difference. Preventing 0.1 degree of warming makes a difference. Every bit of climate resilience we build together makes a difference.
January 9, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Occasional reminder that there’s no, “it’s too late, its over” for anthropogenic climate change. Every molecule of CO2 that doesn’t go into the atmosphere makes a difference. Preventing 0.1 degree of warming makes a difference. Every bit of climate resilience we build together makes a difference.
Finally got my Emporia Vue energy monitoring system installed last week. I went with three units to cover the Powerwall gateway, main panel, and an isolated load panel and it looks like I'm going to need a fourth to cover the rest of the circuits in the main panel.
January 1, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Finally got my Emporia Vue energy monitoring system installed last week. I went with three units to cover the Powerwall gateway, main panel, and an isolated load panel and it looks like I'm going to need a fourth to cover the rest of the circuits in the main panel.
Yearly reminder…
Santa, underrated climate hero:
1. Spreads anti-coal message to impressionable young hearts and minds
2. Flies on 100% carrot-powered sleigh
3. Works from home 364 days of the year
1. Spreads anti-coal message to impressionable young hearts and minds
2. Flies on 100% carrot-powered sleigh
3. Works from home 364 days of the year
December 24, 2024 at 7:28 PM
Yearly reminder…
Heat pumps are great for increasing range in winter, but nothing beats preconditioning the car before a drive to get the battery up to a good operating temperature. I’ve found the difference to be substantial in my winter driving here in Vermont.
Worried about your EV in the cold? The tech is improving.
Improvements to Electric Vehicles Ease Concerns About Range Loss in Cold Climates - Inside Climate News
Features like heat pumps, which prevent significant drops in range, are now standard on newer models.
insideclimatenews.org
December 22, 2024 at 9:59 PM
Heat pumps are great for increasing range in winter, but nothing beats preconditioning the car before a drive to get the battery up to a good operating temperature. I’ve found the difference to be substantial in my winter driving here in Vermont.
I should also note that I put in several hours of driving adding northern Vermont yesterday to ski with my wife and daughter and then go pick my son up from ski training at a different mountain; winter driving conditions, high of 16F, and a few thousand feet of elevation gain. EVs also work in cold!
A few months back at a town energy committee meeting I was called a liar by a member of the public for correcting his statement that “heat pumps are inefficient below 40 and don’t work at all below 30”. This morning I woke up to an outside temp of 4F and an inside temp of 70F. Heat pumps work.
December 22, 2024 at 7:54 PM
I should also note that I put in several hours of driving adding northern Vermont yesterday to ski with my wife and daughter and then go pick my son up from ski training at a different mountain; winter driving conditions, high of 16F, and a few thousand feet of elevation gain. EVs also work in cold!
A few months back at a town energy committee meeting I was called a liar by a member of the public for correcting his statement that “heat pumps are inefficient below 40 and don’t work at all below 30”. This morning I woke up to an outside temp of 4F and an inside temp of 70F. Heat pumps work.
December 22, 2024 at 6:50 PM
A few months back at a town energy committee meeting I was called a liar by a member of the public for correcting his statement that “heat pumps are inefficient below 40 and don’t work at all below 30”. This morning I woke up to an outside temp of 4F and an inside temp of 70F. Heat pumps work.
Vermont has announced the first 11 competitively-bid, NEVI-funded charging sites! These account for most of the 15 high priority sites identified in the state’s NEVI plan, in addition to the one station that was built via a process exemption earlier this year.
vermontbiz.com/news/2024/de...
vermontbiz.com/news/2024/de...
Agency of Transportation awards 11 electric vehicle fast charger projects | Vermont Business Magazine
vermontbiz.com
December 13, 2024 at 12:52 PM
Vermont has announced the first 11 competitively-bid, NEVI-funded charging sites! These account for most of the 15 high priority sites identified in the state’s NEVI plan, in addition to the one station that was built via a process exemption earlier this year.
vermontbiz.com/news/2024/de...
vermontbiz.com/news/2024/de...
Where do EV batteries go at the end of their useful life in a car? On to a second life! I’d love to know more about where these batteries originated
www.canarymedia.com/articles/lon...
www.canarymedia.com/articles/lon...
The biggest grid storage project using old batteries is online in…
Startup Element Energy set out to prove that second-life batteries could deliver cheaper energy storage safely and at scale.
www.canarymedia.com
December 6, 2024 at 1:59 AM
Where do EV batteries go at the end of their useful life in a car? On to a second life! I’d love to know more about where these batteries originated
www.canarymedia.com/articles/lon...
www.canarymedia.com/articles/lon...
It’s been about a year since I stopped using X, moving to both Threads and BlueSky. Over time that became mostly Threads, but now looking to spend more time here. Primarily interested in climate solutions; home electrification, electric vehicles, and local policies to bend the curve on climate
November 30, 2024 at 6:05 PM
It’s been about a year since I stopped using X, moving to both Threads and BlueSky. Over time that became mostly Threads, but now looking to spend more time here. Primarily interested in climate solutions; home electrification, electric vehicles, and local policies to bend the curve on climate
Reposted by Kevin Thorley
Decreasing demand for oil will translate into reduced emissions. 🧪🔌💡☀️💨🔋
IEA: rising clean energy supply cuts global #oil demand. "Rapid deployment of clean energy technologies is also increasingly displacing oil in transport and power generation, adding downward pressure to otherwise weak demand drivers.” @Reuters www.reuters.com/business/ene... #energy
World faces oil surplus in 2025 on weak demand, IEA says
Global oil supply will exceed demand in 2025 even if OPEC+ cuts remain in place, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday, as rising production from the United States and other outside producers outpaces sluggish demand.
www.reuters.com
November 30, 2024 at 1:30 PM
Decreasing demand for oil will translate into reduced emissions. 🧪🔌💡☀️💨🔋
I'm pretty late pulling this together, but better late than never...
Total home and vehicle energy used in 2023:
Total kWh: 23,433 kWh
Total cost (before solar and free charging): $4,873
Out-of-pocket cost: $1,036
There's a lot to unpack here, details in 🧵
Total home and vehicle energy used in 2023:
Total kWh: 23,433 kWh
Total cost (before solar and free charging): $4,873
Out-of-pocket cost: $1,036
There's a lot to unpack here, details in 🧵
May 23, 2024 at 3:21 PM
I'm pretty late pulling this together, but better late than never...
Total home and vehicle energy used in 2023:
Total kWh: 23,433 kWh
Total cost (before solar and free charging): $4,873
Out-of-pocket cost: $1,036
There's a lot to unpack here, details in 🧵
Total home and vehicle energy used in 2023:
Total kWh: 23,433 kWh
Total cost (before solar and free charging): $4,873
Out-of-pocket cost: $1,036
There's a lot to unpack here, details in 🧵
Reposted by Kevin Thorley
Oh look, millionaires don't move when you tax them a little more. It was always an empty threat.
The Massachusetts "millionaires tax" has vastly surpassed projections, bringing in more than $1.8 billion in revenue so far this fiscal year — with the prospect of a surplus of hundreds of millions of dollars to spend on transportation and education
State’s ‘millionaires tax’ has already generated $1.8 billion this year, blowing past state projections - The Boston Globe
The estimated haul is already $800 million more than what Governor Maura Healey and state lawmakers planned to spend from its revenue in fiscal year 2024.
www.bostonglobe.com
May 21, 2024 at 12:52 AM
Oh look, millionaires don't move when you tax them a little more. It was always an empty threat.
Reposted by Kevin Thorley
Oakland, California's school district is now the first in the nation to have a 100% electric bus fleet — and they're all "vehicle to grid" capable, able to discharge up to 2.7 megawatts and 2.1 gigawatt-hours back into the PG&E grid.
electrek.co/2024/05/15/o...
🔌💡🔌🚗
electrek.co/2024/05/15/o...
🔌💡🔌🚗
Oakland is now first in the US to have a 100% electric school bus fleet – and it's V2G
An Oakland, California, school district is now the first in the US to transition to a 100% electric school bus system with V2G technology.
electrek.co
May 16, 2024 at 2:20 AM
Oakland, California's school district is now the first in the nation to have a 100% electric bus fleet — and they're all "vehicle to grid" capable, able to discharge up to 2.7 megawatts and 2.1 gigawatt-hours back into the PG&E grid.
electrek.co/2024/05/15/o...
🔌💡🔌🚗
electrek.co/2024/05/15/o...
🔌💡🔌🚗
2019 Model 3 Annual Update (Year 5)
Total mileage: 63,426mi
Total driving energy used: 15,934 kWh (258Wh/mi)
Total charging: 19,191kWh (311Wh/mi)
Total charging cost: $3895 ($0.06/mi)
Estimated Gas Savings: $3500
Work/home charging: 70%
Fast Charging: 19%
Battery Health: 92.5%
Maintenance: $1677
Total mileage: 63,426mi
Total driving energy used: 15,934 kWh (258Wh/mi)
Total charging: 19,191kWh (311Wh/mi)
Total charging cost: $3895 ($0.06/mi)
Estimated Gas Savings: $3500
Work/home charging: 70%
Fast Charging: 19%
Battery Health: 92.5%
Maintenance: $1677
May 14, 2024 at 12:35 AM
2019 Model 3 Annual Update (Year 5)
Total mileage: 63,426mi
Total driving energy used: 15,934 kWh (258Wh/mi)
Total charging: 19,191kWh (311Wh/mi)
Total charging cost: $3895 ($0.06/mi)
Estimated Gas Savings: $3500
Work/home charging: 70%
Fast Charging: 19%
Battery Health: 92.5%
Maintenance: $1677
Total mileage: 63,426mi
Total driving energy used: 15,934 kWh (258Wh/mi)
Total charging: 19,191kWh (311Wh/mi)
Total charging cost: $3895 ($0.06/mi)
Estimated Gas Savings: $3500
Work/home charging: 70%
Fast Charging: 19%
Battery Health: 92.5%
Maintenance: $1677
Reposted by Kevin Thorley
The National Renewable Energy Lab dropped an incredibly detailed study on the costs, benefits, and challenges of deploying heat pumps in the U.S.
@emilypont.bsky.social has the five key takeaways:
@emilypont.bsky.social has the five key takeaways:
Where Heat Pumps Win — And Where They Lose
Five findings from an extremely thorough study by the National Renewable Energy Lab.
heatmap.news
March 12, 2024 at 1:42 PM
The National Renewable Energy Lab dropped an incredibly detailed study on the costs, benefits, and challenges of deploying heat pumps in the U.S.
@emilypont.bsky.social has the five key takeaways:
@emilypont.bsky.social has the five key takeaways:
Reposted by Kevin Thorley
Hey, isn't it #followfriday again?
Good folks with tons of insight on energy, climate and more 🔌💡:
@kellyhereid.bsky.social
@kathryn-chelminski.bsky.social
@jeremywallace.bsky.social
@bslotterback.bsky.social
@jenhiller.bsky.social
@madisoncondon.bsky.social
@gregor.us
@kyrib.bsky.social
Good folks with tons of insight on energy, climate and more 🔌💡:
@kellyhereid.bsky.social
@kathryn-chelminski.bsky.social
@jeremywallace.bsky.social
@bslotterback.bsky.social
@jenhiller.bsky.social
@madisoncondon.bsky.social
@gregor.us
@kyrib.bsky.social
Follow Friday! Just like the old days!
@gruberte.bsky.social
@ghgpolicy.org
@simonmahan.bsky.social
@cwayner.bsky.social
@laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social
@johnsmillie42.bsky.social
@rachitkansal.bsky.social
@lissaharris.bsky.social
@mclott.bsky.social
@sevier.io
And so many more 🔌💡
@gruberte.bsky.social
@ghgpolicy.org
@simonmahan.bsky.social
@cwayner.bsky.social
@laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social
@johnsmillie42.bsky.social
@rachitkansal.bsky.social
@lissaharris.bsky.social
@mclott.bsky.social
@sevier.io
And so many more 🔌💡
Great suggestion! My Follow Friday:
@shastingssimon.bsky.social
@robinsonmeyer.bsky.social
@drsimevans.bsky.social
@kevinjkircher.com
@knowledgeproblem.bsky.social
@cityatlas.bsky.social
And anyone else active on the EnergySky feed (can just put 🔌💡in your posts for it to show up there)
@shastingssimon.bsky.social
@robinsonmeyer.bsky.social
@drsimevans.bsky.social
@kevinjkircher.com
@knowledgeproblem.bsky.social
@cityatlas.bsky.social
And anyone else active on the EnergySky feed (can just put 🔌💡in your posts for it to show up there)
March 1, 2024 at 7:58 PM
Hey, isn't it #followfriday again?
Good folks with tons of insight on energy, climate and more 🔌💡:
@kellyhereid.bsky.social
@kathryn-chelminski.bsky.social
@jeremywallace.bsky.social
@bslotterback.bsky.social
@jenhiller.bsky.social
@madisoncondon.bsky.social
@gregor.us
@kyrib.bsky.social
Good folks with tons of insight on energy, climate and more 🔌💡:
@kellyhereid.bsky.social
@kathryn-chelminski.bsky.social
@jeremywallace.bsky.social
@bslotterback.bsky.social
@jenhiller.bsky.social
@madisoncondon.bsky.social
@gregor.us
@kyrib.bsky.social
Reposted by Kevin Thorley
2. There's been much-ado about "slowing" EV sales growth, but (a), the annual rate of sales growth actually ACCELERATED in 2023 vs 2022, and (b) we should EXPECT % growth to slow as adoption follows a typical S-curve, w/exponential-looking early phase giving way to linear growth.
February 21, 2024 at 8:22 PM
2. There's been much-ado about "slowing" EV sales growth, but (a), the annual rate of sales growth actually ACCELERATED in 2023 vs 2022, and (b) we should EXPECT % growth to slow as adoption follows a typical S-curve, w/exponential-looking early phase giving way to linear growth.
Reposted by Kevin Thorley
Based on vibes, you might think US clean electricity goals are on track while the EV transition is stalling. A data-driven report finds the opposite to be true, as NYTimes reports www.nytimes.com/2024/02/21/c... + @robinsonmeyer.bsky.social & I unpack on SHIFT KEY podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
February 21, 2024 at 8:21 PM
Based on vibes, you might think US clean electricity goals are on track while the EV transition is stalling. A data-driven report finds the opposite to be true, as NYTimes reports www.nytimes.com/2024/02/21/c... + @robinsonmeyer.bsky.social & I unpack on SHIFT KEY podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...