Reliable electricity is gaining value as utilities plan for AI-led growth and a more digital economy. Capacity factor helps compare the fitness of power sources on this topic because it shows which technologies deliver the steadiest output over time. This graphic, in partnership with the National Public Utilities Council, shows the most consistent U.S. power sources using data from the EIA.

According to the World Health Organization, air pollution causes 7 million deaths annually and could cost the global economy between $18–25 trillion in annual welfare costs by 2060, or roughly 4–6% of world GDP. And with predictions that 7 in 10 people will make their homes in urban centers by mid-century, cities are fast becoming one of the frontlines in the global effort to clear the air. In this visualization, we use 2024 data from the State of the Air report from the American Lung Association to show the most polluted cities in the United States.

By the end of 2023, more than 11,000 energy projects were in interconnection queues in the United States, waiting for a green-light from regional grid operators to proceed with construction. This map, sponsored by the National Public Utilities Council, maps out the average age of active energy projects in interconnection queues by state, using data from Berkeley Lab.

Nuclear power has a crucial role to play on the path to net zero. Traditional nuclear plants, however, can be costly, resource-intensive, and take up to 12 years to come online. Small modular reactors (SMR) offer a possible solution. Created in partnership with the National Public Utilities Council, this infographic explores some of the benefits SMRs can offer their traditional counterparts. Let’s dive in.

Long duration energy storage (LDES) technologies can store electricity for 10+ hours, complementing intermittent renewables, boosting grid resiliency, and reducing fossil fuel dependency. Created in partnership with the National Public Utilities Council, this chart lists the characteristics of LDES technologies that have commercial or pre-commercial readiness, using data from the LDES Council’s Net-Zero Power report and 2023 deployment update.

Global investment in the clean energy transition grew by 17% in 2023, showing resilience despite geopolitical tensions, high interest rates, and inflation. But was it enough to keep the world on track to hit net zero by 2050? To answer this question, we compare 2023 clean energy investment by sector with what’s annually needed to reach net zero by 2050, in partnership with the National Public Utilities Council.