Powering communities with clean energy
Duke Energy transforms Catawba River in Great Falls, SC
Despite its natural beauty, the town of Great Falls, S.C., has been economically depressed since its textile mills closed in the '80s. Tourism is expected to rise, however, as a result of new whitewater runs at Great Falls Reservoir. It is a free community resource that Duke Energy designed with help from the same company behind the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C.
A new way to harness the sun’s power? Floating solar
"Floatovoltaics" is used extensively in Asia but has yet to make a big splash in the U.S., where it makes up about 2% of all solar installations. Understanding its potential is the goal of Duke Energy’s Vision Florida program, which explores emerging clean energy technologies like microgrids, battery energy storage and, now, floating solar. Watch our video to see how it was constructed.
Mountain Island Hydro marks 100 years of producing clean energy
Duke Energy recently celebrated a birthday for one of its oldest workhorses — Mountain Island Hydroelectric Station in Gaston County, N.C. The dam and power station were built 100 years ago to supply the growing number of textile mills that were popping up around the Charlotte area. Today, the textile mills are long gone, but Mountain Island hydro still produces enough electricity to power about 7,600 homes each year.
Farmers help Duke Energy add more renewables to its grid
Surrounded by rolling fields of fescue, the Mocksville Solar Facility in Davie County, N.C., sits in a special location for Michael Dalton and his family. Find out how leasing land to Duke Energy allows him to keep his father-in-law’s land in production, while bringing in extra income for their family.
Giving customers more options
How a smart thermostat can help you save energy
Smart thermostats can learn your heating and cooling patterns and adjust the temperature accordingly. They also take into account weather conditions and occupancy to optimize energy usage – saving up to 20% on energy costs. Customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Indiana can also save money by enrolling a qualifying thermostat in the company’s demand-response program.
9 habits to help you save energy this winter
By implementing these energy-saving habits, you can reduce your energy consumption and lower your winter heating costs while still maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. From taking advantage of natural sunlight, changing dirty air filters, unblocking air vents and more – most suggestions shared in this article are either low-cost or no-cost.
How to get a credit for installing an EV charger at home
Jonathan Stewart of Charlotte, N.C., reduced his mileage costs. And he saved when he installed an electric vehicle (EV) charger at his home with Duke Energy’s Charger Prep Credit Program. To help make EV ownership more affordable, find out if you (or your business) qualify for one of Duke Energy’s rebate programs.
Building a stronger, more resilient grid
Being a lineworker suits Georgia Hummel perfectly. Here's why
Georgia Hummel considered going to medical school after college. Then she learned of a lineworker training program with night classes. Today, she and other Duke Energy lineworkers build and maintain power lines and equipment that carry about 6,300 megawatts of electricity from a diverse mix of power plants to nearly 890,000 homes and businesses in Indiana.
Laurel Meeks helps add batteries for a more resilient energy grid
Laurel Meeks was raised in North Carolina by parents who are also interested in making energy more sustainable. As director of renewable energy development, Meeks’ team is responsible for adding battery storage, which helps Duke Energy add more carbon-free energy sources, like solar, while improving reliability for 8.2 million customers in six states.
How lineworker Mike Elliott makes the grid stronger for customers
Go behind the scenes with Mike Elliott, whose 40 years of experience as a lineworker was a big help to crews who completed a power grid improvement project on The Village of Bald Head Island, two nautical miles from Southport, N.C., where advanced technology is serving customers.
