NREL Welcomes 30 Participants To Join Energy to Communities Peer-Learning Cohorts on Utility Engagement and Load Growth - CleanTechnica

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), has selected 30 local leaders from 25 states, territories, and Tribes to participate in two new Energy to Communities (E2C) peer-learning cohorts. These cohorts, running from July to December 2025, will convene monthly to address critical energy challenges related to electricity load growth and utility engagement. One cohort focuses on "Navigating Electricity Load Growth and Associated Utility Grid Impacts," aiming to help communities adapt to rising electricity demand driven by emerging industries like AI and data centers, while maintaining grid reliability and resilience. The other cohort, "Engaging With Electric Utilities for Successful Local Partnerships," will provide participants with knowledge about electric utility regulation, business models, and collaborative strategies to foster innovation and support local energy needs. These cohorts build on E2C’s existing work, which has engaged over 200 communities through educational resources, case studies, tools, and facilitated collaboration. The