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Courtesy of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
By Kelsey Adkisson

As yet another heat wave shattered temperature records in the Pacific Northwest in mid-2021, threats of rolling blackouts rippled throughout the region.

These recurring extreme weather threats offer a sobering reminder that aging energy grids weren’t designed to handle the stress of climate change. Nor were they designed to withstand the energy impact from extreme events like heat waves, droughts, or wildfires, which are predicted to become more frequent and intense, according to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL’s) Nathalie Voisin, a PNNL Earth scientist who is part of a team working on grid resilience in relation to climate change.

“Even under modest climate change projections, threats of power shortfalls will become more common,” said Voisin.

In the Pacific Northwest, which is dependent on hydropower to help generate electricity, more frequent heat waves, water scarcity, and increased wildfire risk put increased pressure on an overburdened power grid. Currently, over 90% of the western United States is facing drought conditions. One year ago, it was 40%.

To relieve some of that pressure, research teams at PNNL are focused on prevention. They are working to predict future drought scenarios and create hydropower and grid contingency plans, implement smart electricity load controls, manage forests to reduce the impact of wildfire, and place new grid infrastructure, like energy storage or microgrids, where they are needed most.

“When we’re talking about power shortfalls, even small steps add up. Shifting large appliance use, like a high amount of dishwashers or washing machines, from afternoon and evening peak hours to the morning or the night, or increasing thermostats a couple degrees in the summer and using ceiling or floor fans can make a difference,” said PNNL’s Dhruv Bhatnagar, an energy systems engineer.

What high temperatures mean for hydropower

The early summer heat wave of 2021 led to a spike in energy demand that left hydroelectric dam operators with a difficult choice: (1) use water to keep up with the surge, leaving less water for late summer, or (2) buy energy on the open market, often at higher prices and from natural gas.

PNNL modelers like Voisin are working to predict these types of events and the impacts to generation and load, including short-term issues like heat waves or longer-term issues like droughts via efforts like the Department of Energy’s HydroWIRES initiative.

Led by PNNL earth scientists Nathalie Voisin and Sean Turner, the research team used computer simulations to compare the risk of power shortfalls with no climate change versus modest climate change. (Video: Pacific NorthwestNational Laboratory)

PNNL researchers are using advanced modeling to predict droughts and provide grid operators with information for decisions on how to allocate power during extreme events. For instance, to simulate the impact of climate change on the future power grid, researchers used a computer model called GENESYS. Recent results showed that power systems will be affected by multiple stressors simultaneously, and these impacts compound and aren’t just additive.

PNNL is developing drought scenarios to help operators and regulatory agencies with future planning. This includes predicting future drought conditions and the impacts on hydropower and thermoelectric plants, which can then be used to understand the potential impact on grid operations and guide adaptation.

“This information is used to help operators make risk-informed decisions and determine where vulnerabilities may lie. Ultimately, it will help answer the question—given different stressors, will there be enough power to meet the demand and other power grid needs?” said Voisin.

“Will there be enough power to meet the demand?” — Nathalie Voisin, PNNL Earth scientist 

Recently, Voisin and her team evaluated how hydropower operations vary seasonally and annually depending on water availability for the Chelan Public Utility District. For example, they demonstrated that even during a dry summer, when hydropower’s overall generation is limited by low water availability, hydropower maintains its flexibility to support the peak load under extreme events. This highlights the need to better consider the range of services that hydropower can provide to address the resilience of the grid under extreme events.

Wildfire and hydropower

During an above-normal fire season, like what is currently occurring in California, there will likely be impacts on the grid, either through intentional shutoffs to reduce fire risk or loss of infrastructure due to the fire itself.

“The idea is not to stop all wildfires but to work in advance to reduce their risk, and predict areas that are more prone to them,” said PNNL’s Mark Wigmosta, a PNNL environmental engineer. Wigmosta’s work focuses on forest thinning and restoration with the goal of less fuel for fires.

“The idea is not to stop all wildfires but to work in advance to reduce their risk” — Mark Wigmosta, PNNL environmental engineer

Reducing fuel load in highly dense forests may leave more water in streams and can lead to higher, longer-lasting snowpack. This may produce more water throughout the summer dry season.

“This may provide a way to get more water into the system, depending on location,” said Wigmosta. Another grid benefit is that weaker fires are likely to burn less energy infrastructure. For example, between 2000 and 2016, wildfires caused at least $700 million in damages to 40 transmission lines in California. Nationwide costs from wildfires are significantly higher.

After fires burn, there is typically an increase in runoff and sedimentation. Sediment flows downstream, builds up in reservoirs, and “isn’t great for infrastructure, including turbines,” said Wigmosta. Prescribed burns or tree thinning can actually increase flow volumes and improve hydropower operations. And, weaker fires will have less of a negative impact on infrastructure and the grid.

Better technology from buildings to batteries

During peak power demands, like a heat wave, emerging technology offers the potential for consumers to manage or supplement loads. Smart tools, like intelligent load control, automatically manage building energy use during peak electricity demands. PNNL has been working on ways to make buildings more energy efficient, in addition to optimizing the future of hydropower.

Backup or autonomous power sources also offer promise, particularly during emergency situations. Microgrids are self-contained grids that can power key areas, such as hospitals or police stations, during power shortfalls that could occur during extreme events like a wildfire or hurricane. PNNL’s Microgrid Component Optimization for Resilience tool helps streamline the design process for microgrids with the goal of simulating power under a variety of outage conditions.

PNNL is also taking a leadership role in developing new technologies for grid-scale energy storage, which includes a new generation of battery materials and systems and other forms of energy storage. For example, current grid-scale energy storage systems such as pumped storage hydropower use pumps to move water uphill to store renewable energy when demand is low and generate power when demands are high as water flows downhill. PNNL has been working on incremental steps with pumped storage, such as evaluating environmental impacts of newer systems, to enhance future grid resilience or working with international stakeholders to identify strategies to finance and develop new projects. Even concepts like pairing batteries with hydropower are being explored to enhance hydropower’s capabilities and assure reliability during power shortages while reducing environmental impacts.

“Ultimately, we want to prepare for extreme events. Whether it’s through technological innovation, enhancing grid resilience, or supporting long-term planning. We take a holistic approach to tackling these big, long-term challenges to support risk-informed decision-making,” said Voisin.

This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and Office of Electricity, among other agencies.

 

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First post-launch savings on Segway’s new Xafari and Xyber e-bikes, EcoFlow DELTA Pro 400W solar bundle at new $2,199 low, more

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June 2, 2025

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First post-launch savings on Segway's new Xafari and Xyber e-bikes, EcoFlow DELTA Pro 400W solar bundle at new ,199 low, more

We’re starting off this week’s Green Deals with the first post-launch savings on the new Segway Xafari and Xyber e-bikes starting from $2,200. Right behind it, EcoFlow is kicking off hurricane season with up to 55% discounts on a sizeable collection of power stations, complete with bonus savings, select 2x EcoCredit rewards, and some lower-than-ever member-only pricing, including the DELTA Pro Solar Generator bundle with a 400W panel at a new $2,199 low. Lastly, we have two mowing deals, with the first being the EGO 56V 21-Inch Cordless Electric Select Cut Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit that includes 7.5Ah and 5.0Ah batteries back at its $600 low. You could also automate your lawn care with Segway’s Navimow i Series of RTK Robot Mowers that are getting rare price cuts starting from $849. Plus, there’s all the rest of the hangover Green Deals from last week in the links at the bottom of the page, collected together in our Electrified Weekly Roundup.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Segway’s new Xafari and Xyber e-bikes with Apple Find My, proximity locking, more get first post-launch savings from $2,200

Segway is celebrating Father’s Day with surprise price cuts of up to $300 on the brand’s two new e-bikes for the first time. Through June 15, you’ll be able to hop aboard the Xafari e-bike for $2,199.99 shipped, while the Xyber e-bike sits higher at $2,999.99 shipped. These two models normally go for $2,400 and $3,300, respectively, since the brand raised the Xyber’s price due to tariffs on May 1. The discounts we’re seeing here are the first post-launch cash savings, bringing the Xafari back to match its preorder launch pricing, while taking the Xyber back to its original MSRP.

Praised by Segway as the model “for everyone, yet far from ordinary,” the Xafari e-bike is an all-terrain cruiser for riders of different ages and skill levels. It comes equipped with a 750W rear hub motor paired with a removable 936Wh battery to hit 20 MPH top speeds (in as fast as 5.2 seconds) for up to 88 miles on a single 6-hour charge with its 12 PAS levels activated (supported by a torque sensor). Comfort is the main focus here, with ergonomic positioning, 80mm front/70mm rear suspension, an adjustable compression damping and lock-out fork, and 26-inch by 3-inch all-terrain tires – all adding to a smoother riding experience. There’s also the adjustable-height saddle with quick-release and an adjustable stem, a rear-mounted cargo rack, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, front and rear lighting (including brake lighting), an integrated multi-color smart TFT display with a 20W USB A/C port, and more.

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Of course, one of the biggest additions to Segway’s e-bikes, is the inclusion of the brand’s Intelligent Ride System. This gives them some high-end smart features like Airlock wireless proximity security, an alarm system, Apple Find My, GPS, adaptive pedal assistance, and plenty more. You can get the full rundown on these features in our original CES 2025 launch coverage here.

Speaking of the Xyber e-bike, which sports the same Intelligent Ride System features as the above model, it is the mid-range, light EV that is perfect for speed freaks, as it can go from 0 to 20 MPH in just 2.7 seconds, and keep climbing up to a 35 MPH top speed when set in race mode. It’s been given a monstrous 6,000W direct-drive motor and a 2,880Wh dual-battery setup, letting it carry you for up to 112 miles on a single 4-hour charge. There are 12 levels of pedal assistance here, as well as three different modes for throttle-only riding.

It’s been equipped with an inverted dual-crown fork at the front alongside a classic swing-arm design at the rear – plus, the coil-sprung, hydraulically damped front and rear suspension for added comfort on uneven terrain. You’ll also find Tektro hydraulic disc brakes here for stopping power, with the whole thing sitting atop two 20-inch by 5-inch tires with flat-resistant inserts, among other top-notch features. One thing to note here, though, is that Segway has specified this current model to be an unclassified e-bike for maximized performance over on-road or non-permitted trail riding, with a road-legal model that meets regulations coming later in the year.

You can get the full details of all the many features on these e-bikes in our original launch coverage from CES 2025 here.

EcoFlow power stations

Power essentials through hurricane season with EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro 400W solar bundle at new $2,199 low

With the calendar having stepped into June, so too have we officially stepped into 2025’s hurricane season, and EcoFlow is offering up to 55% off backup power solutions through June 8 to help you prep, complete with extra savings. Among the lineup, we spotted several continuing member-only deals that have increased savings from the brand’s two-day May Madness event, like the well-regarded DELTA Pro Solar Generator bundle with a 400W panel for $2,199 shipped, which doesn’t benefit from the 5% bonus savings, sadly, but does benefit from 2x EcoCredit reward points. This package would normally run you $4,898 at full price, which we’ve seen go as low as $2,299, most recently during last week’s short-term May Madness discounts. This is a 55% markdown that cuts $2,699 off the going rate, landing it $100 lower than ever for the best new price we have tracked. It’s even coming in $200 under Amazon’s current pricing.

One of the brand’s larger modular backup solutions, the DELTA Pro is ready to power you through trips in nature, at gatherings and events, or during emergencies with its starting 3,600Wh LiFePO4 capacity. What’s great is that with future investments (expansion batteries), you can expand it all the way up to 25kWh. Through its 14 output ports, it dishes out a steady stream up to 3,600W, surging to 7,200W for larger needs.

It recharges its own battery cells fairly quick, with a wall outlet putting it back to full in about 1.8 hours, or you could do so in 2.8 hours when taking advantage of its maximum 1,600W solar input. There’s other ways to top off its levels, including generators, with an auxiliary car port, and more. You’ll also get the full array of smart controls you would expect through its companion app via either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

EcoFlow’s other Member-only deals:

To browse the entire lineup of EcoFlow’s June Disaster Sale follow this link to our full coverage here, with plenty of savings on in-house and out-of-house power solutions at up to 55% off – plus, the bonus 5% extra savings that are not stackable with the above member-only pricing.

EGO 56V 21-inch cordless electric select cut self-propelled lawn mower

This EGO 56V 21-inch cordless select cut self-propelled mower kit with 7.5Ah and 5.0Ah batteries back at $600 low

Amazon is offering a return low price on the EGO Power+ 56V 21-Inch Cordless Electric Select Cut Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit that comes with 7.5Ah and 5.0Ah batteries at $599.99 shipped. This newer model hit the scene at the top of last year and is coming off its $998 full price here today. March of last year was the last time we spotted this low price, with the discounts in the time since only going as low as $700. You’re now getting a second chance at the best price we have tracked for this package, which equips you with plenty of power to cover lawn care needs at home with $398 in savings.

It’s one of the best times of the year to consider trading your gas guzzler for a more eco-friendly electric means to tackle lawn care, and this cordless mower from EGO comes with more power than we usually see. Just using the 7.5Ah ARC battery provides enough juice for up to 60 continuous minutes of runtime, with the 5.0Ah battery being a convenient way to extend that time for longer jobs. The included 550W charger can bring these batteries back to full in up to 60 minutes, letting you use one while charging another for near-endless runtimes.

Aside from the six-position cutting height levels (from 1.5 to 4 inches) and three-in-one functionality (bagging, side discharging, mulching), you’ll also be getting the brand’s select cut system here, giving you more customization options for different needs. Thanks to this setup, the blades are interchangeable between lower mulching blades and high-lift bagging blades. Mobility is far easier as the self-propulsion does most of the work for you – plus, annoying pull strings are a thing of the past with its push-button start.

segway navimow i series robot lawn mower

Segway’s Navimow i Series of RTK robot mowers get rare price cuts starting from $849 in Father’s Day savings

Through Father’s Day, Segway is offering rare 15% discounts on its Navimow i Series Robot Lawn Mowers, with the i105 model down at $849 shipped and matching at Amazon, while the i110 model is down at $1,099 shipped and only available on the direct site. These models don’t often see many discounts from their $999 and $1,299 price tags compared to its H series counterparts, with the last price cuts we saw being on the i105 model back during Black Friday when prices dropped to its $799 low. You can grab them here at the second-lowest price we have tracked for the i105 and the lowest price we’ve seen on the i110 model, giving you $150/$200 in savings while automating your lawn care routine.

While it doesn’t sport the fanciest of bells and whistles like Segway’s new X3 Series of robots, which are now officially available for online purchase, the brand’s Navimow i Series are the smaller and more affordable option for those on tighter budgets, with the i105 model covering up to 1/8 acres and the i110 model covering up to 1/4 acres on a single charge. Keep in mind that these robots can stop progress to recharge at their station, picking up where they left off after finishing. One of the standout designs here is the trading of perimeter wires for RTK positioning paired alongside AI-assisted mapping through its 140-degree FOV camera.

The brand’s Exact Fusion Location System 2.0 is the name of the game, working with the AI to utilize satellite navigation to keep track of the robot’s position regardless of how complicated your yard/garden layout is or how much tree coverage there may be. This feature also doubles as a security measure, allowing you to track the robot’s real-time location while it works or in case of theft. Through its companion app you’ll have access to its full array of other smart features too, like setting schedules, marking off-limits zones, and customizing the 3D mapping routes/settings – and it has the memory for 12 different zones.

There’s two other big robot lawn mower deals running right now on new models, with the ECOVACS Goat RTK Robot Lawn Mowers currently getting up to 25% off discounts on three models starting from $900. There’s also the highly advanced Anker eufy E15 and E18 Robot Mowers that do away with RTK positioning and boundary wires for pure vision FSD navigation, getting $300 discounts and a $100 free gift.

Best Spring EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Elon Musk had already canceled $25k Tesla weeks before denying it publicly

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June 2, 2025

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Elon Musk had already canceled k Tesla weeks before denying it publicly

When Tesla CEO Elon Musk publicly denied a report that Tesla had canceled its work on the $25,000 “Model 2” despite the project ending weeks prior, Tesla executives were “alarmed” by Musk’s public lie, according to a new report by Reuters.

In April 2024, Reuters reported that the long-awaited $25,000 Tesla, nicknamed “Model 2” by the public, had been canceled.

Immediately after the report, Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded, stating “Reuters is lying (again).”

However, when he made this statement, Musk knew that the report was correct, and that he had cancelled the project weeks earlier.

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This new information comes from a report by Reuters today, citing company documents and the standard “people familiar with the matter.”

The public denial caused confusion among Tesla executives, some of whom wondered if the project was back on, or who were concerned that customers may delay purchases waiting for a product that they and Musk knew would never come.

It also concerned executives due to an agreement Musk made with the SEC which required a lawyer to oversee his Tesla-related tweeting activities, after he had previously been caught misleading investors into thinking he had secured funding to take Tesla private.

Musk’s lie about the $25k Model 2 project stopped a decline in TSLA stock, which had slid by 6% so far that day, and the stock recovered partially by the end of the day. Given the market-moving nature of the statement, and the subject matter of being about Tesla’s future plans, it was thought that this would be another clear violation of Musk’s settlement with the SEC.

Musk’s history attacking truth

Musk has a long history of taking umbrage with the press and government regulators, and getting in public fights with people for the smallest of slights. These attacks are often immature, as in the examples of his lewd statements about the SEC, or an unnecessary attack on a rescue diver.

Reuters has been one of his main targets, but he has generally shown disdain for the media, and this attitude isn’t new.

In 2018, he floated the idea of creating a website to rank “truth” in media, proposing the name “Pravduh.” The idea came after a series of negative reports about Tesla, making it clear that the effort was less about truth, and more about Musk feeling slighted about recent coverage.

In a similar vein to his attacks on Reuters, he and the Tesla board recently denied a WSJ report that they were seeking a replacement for Musk as CEO. Musk responded personally, stating that it was an “EXTREMELY BAD BREACH OF ETHICS” for WSJ to publish a “DELIBERATELY FALSE ARTICLE and fail to include an unequivocal denial,” even though WSJ reached out to Tesla and was given no comment beforehand.

One of the reasons WSJ couldn’t get comment beforehand is because Tesla dissolved its PR department years ago. Companies keep PR departments so that press can have a clear a consistent idea of a company’s position on the matter, and so that journalists can reach out to the company for comment beforehand. Musk’s anger at WSJ for not including a denial from a department that he himself dissolved suggests that perhaps he relishes the opportunity to strike out against the media, as his own actions have been responsible for the lack of communication between Tesla and the media.

He even targeted us here at Electrek after we published a true and fair article critiquing Tesla’s plan to charge owners $1,500 for hardware they already bought. After our report, many other media reported the same story, and a few days later Tesla lowered the price to $1,000 (when it still should be zero, and at least one owner has prevailed in small claims due to our report).

Immediately after Tesla lowered the price of the upgrade, we found that Elon Musk had blocked our site’s account on Twitter, and also blocked my colleague Fred Lambert, who was not involved in reporting the story. We were also banned from future Tesla events due to our true and fair report.

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Nissan’s new $17,000 EV scores early in China as orders surge, but is it enough?

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June 2, 2025

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Nissan's new ,000 EV scores early in China as orders surge, but is it enough?

Nissan-N7-EV-orders-China

The N7 is surprisingly stylish and affordable, starting at under $17,000 in China. A month after launching, Nissan’s new EV has already secured over 17,200 orders, but will it be enough to keep pace in China?

Nissan’s new N7 EV secures 17,215 orders in China

After launching the N7 on April 28, Dongfeng-Nissan announced the electric sedan set a record, racking up 10,000 orders in 18 days.

Nissan’s joint venture partner in China said the N7 became the “fastest joint venture pure electric car” to reach the 10,000 mark.

According to the latest update, Nissan’s new EV now has 17,215 orders in China. Dongfeng Nissan revealed in a social media post on May 31 that N7 orders are still on the rise, 35 days after hitting the market. To keep the momentum going, the company is offering a limited-time promo worth up to 19,888 yuan ($1,400) by placing an order.

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A video circulating on social media (via CnEVPost) reveals order data from a company executive, showing that 13,746 of the orders have locked-in vehicle configurations.

Nissan's-new-EV-orders-China
Dongfeng Nissan N7 electric sedan (Source: Nissan)

The N7 starts at 119,900 yuan in China, or about $16,500. It’s available with two LFP battery options, 58 kWh or 73 kWh, providing a CLTC range of 540 km (335 miles) and 625 km (388 miles), respectively.

Measuring 4,930 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,487 mm tall, the electric sedan is slightly longer than a Tesla Model 3.

Inside, the N7 is equipped with smart tech and features, including Momenta’s smart driving system. Nissan claims it’s “the industry’s first-tier high-end intelligent driving system,” offering high-speed navigation assistance, full-scenario intelligent parking, and more.

Nissan N7 EV Trim Starting Price
Nissan N7 510 Air 119,900 yuan ($16,500)
Nissan N7 510 Pro 129,900 yuan ($17,800)
Nissan N7 625 Pro 139,900 yuan ($19,200)
Nissan N7 510 Max 139,900 yuan ($19,200)
Nissan N7 625 Max 149,900 yuan ($20,500)
Nissan N7 electric sedan price by trim (Source: Dongfeng-Nissan)

It even comes with a few fun add-ons you won’t find on a typical Nissan, such as a smart refrigerator that can cool or heat drinks.

Electrek’s Take

Nissan’s new N7 looks nice, and it’s competitively priced, but can it keep up in China’s intensifying electric vehicle market? BYD is crushing rivals with extreme price cuts and new models, which seem to appear every week.

Its new electric sedan, the BYD Qin L EV, had over 10,000 in sales its first week on the market, and it starts at 119,800 yuan ($16,500).

Even Mazda, another Japanese brand struggling in China, is seeing early success. After launching the EZ-60 last month, Mazda’s electric SUV secured over 20,000 orders.

Are these orders binding? Typically, companies in China report orders that are non-refundable with a deposit, but some offer a few days’ grace period. We will find out soon as companies begin releasing sales results.

Nissan is already struggling to turn its business around. The company announced last month it’s cutting 20,000 jobs globally and closing several factories as part of a restructuring.

What do you think? Can Nissan’s new EV keep up in China? Or, are the early orders deceiving? Drop us a comment below and share your thoughts.

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