Deep Dive: Page 9
Industry insights from our journalists
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Yujin Kim, Industry Dive
As utility collaboration with charging companies rises, emerging differences could impede EV growth
To accelerate EV charging infrastructure deployment, former competitors are working together, but new questions threaten to lead to dissension.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 31, 2020 -
Getty
Utilities face growing ransomware threat as hackers improve strategy, execution
The energy industry faces an increasing threat from financially-motivated hackers. Experts say more companies are paying, and ransoms are rising.
Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2020 -
Ensuring DER inclusion in capacity markets may require a rethink of resource adequacy
The growth of customer-owned resources is forcing system operators and aggregators to see their value as reliability tools and rethink the concept of resource adequacy.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 24, 2020 -
Brian Tucker/Utility Dive
Propelling the transition: Digitization bolsters utility rate cases, boosts drive to future-proof
The continuing automation and digitization of the power sector now enables utilities to better justify their spending plans and improve reliability as they prepare for new resources and electricity uses.
Guy Burdick • Aug. 21, 2020 -
Brian Tucker/Utility Dive
Propelling the transition: Small changes are making big impacts on wind, solar, but challenges remain
Cutting-edge wind and solar may evolve differently in the near term, but advocates for both share concerns over grid reliability and preventing energy curtailment.
Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 20, 2020 -
Brian Tucker/Utility Dive
Propelling the transition: New and better transmission is key to zero carbon; here's what's driving it
New technologies can make it easier to develop transmission and get more out of lines that already exist. But experts say electric utilities must be incentivized to use less-expensive solutions rather than older and pricier approaches.
Robert Walton • Aug. 19, 2020 -
Brian Tucker/Utility Dive
Propelling the transition: The battle for control of virtual power plants is just beginning
As virtual power plants develop, there is a growing debate about the degree to which the future of distributed energy management will be controlled by large utilities or third-party aggregators.
Matthew Bandyk • Aug. 18, 2020 -
Brian Tucker/Utility Dive
Propelling the transition: Green hydrogen could be the final piece in a zero-emissions future
Green hydrogen beats renewables plus batteries at fueling heavy transport, serving industry and long duration storage — if it can be delivered affordably.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 17, 2020 -
Permission granted by Enel Green Power, photo by Jake Janske
Sheep, ag and sun: Agrivoltaics propel significant reductions in solar maintenance costs
The cost savings impressed Tampa Electric when it put its solar O&M out to bid in 2018, with grazing representing a 75% cost savings over traditional mowing, said Paul Davis, director of solar operations.
Lynn Freehill-Maye • Aug. 4, 2020 -
A blow to small solar, a win for states and utilities? Regulators, analysts assess FERC's PURPA rule
Federal regulators issued a ruling on the law earlier this month that stakeholders say could disproportionately benefit vertically-integrated utilities in non-competitive markets in particular.
Catherine Morehouse • July 30, 2020 -
Audit of Hawaiian Electric sends a postcard about the future of regulation
The utility's restructuring has supported and streamlined Hawaii's ongoing "transition to a 100% renewable future," the audit reported. But "costs and staffing levels have also increased," often without "a clear role or purpose."
Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2020 -
Momentum grows for piloting Netflix-like fixed subscription rates, but not everyone's on board
For customers who want predictable bills, pairing automated smart distribution technologies with flat rates can resolve the overuse challenge of traditional fixed bills.
Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2020 -
Battery energy storage is getting cheaper, but how much deployment is too much?
As renewable penetrations rise, batteries are the answer to variability, but it is not clear when buying more storage stops increasing reliability.
Herman K. Trabish • June 30, 2020 -
Permission granted by Wärtsilä
COVID-19 propels microgrids in healthcare sector, but regulatory, awareness hurdles remain
"If we think this is the last time we’re going to be dealing with something like this, I think we’re being foolish," said an executive at a Southern Company distributed power subsidiary.
Kavya Balaraman • June 29, 2020 -
A COVID-19 hit to public power? For some, it's not all bad
Municipal utilities and other public power entities have unique challenges, and some advantages, when dealing with the financial impacts of the pandemic and recession.
Matthew Bandyk • June 25, 2020 -
Getty Images
Trump's grid security order sows confusion in power sector — but don't expect a quick fix
The executive order limits the installation of bulk power system equipment sourced from foreign adversaries, but experts say the vague wording has the industry 'freaked out.'
Robert Walton • June 10, 2020 -
California plans for future of gas system amid 'patchwork' of electrification policies
The California Public Utilities Commission has opened a rulemaking to "manage" a transition away from natural gas. But questions remain on what that transition will look like.
Kavya Balaraman • June 9, 2020 -
NASA Earth Observatory
When storms collide: Utilities' new approach to hurricane restoration in the age of COVID-19
The spread of the novel coronavirus has forced Duke, FPL and other utilities to alter their approach to storm restoration, utilizing smaller crews and more remote work while keeping a close eye on worker health.
Robert Walton • June 4, 2020 -
Herman K. Trabish
The 3 key challenges to expanding the West's real-time energy market to day-ahead trading
Driven by new Western state renewables and zero emissions mandates, the 11 active participants and nine new applicants in the Energy Imbalance Market are pushing to expand it to day-ahead trading.
Herman K. Trabish • June 3, 2020 -
Ex-FERC commissioners debate solutions to coal self-committments said to cost millions
Former FERC Commissioner Suedeen Kelly says the issue will have to be resolved at the state level, while former Chair Jon Wellinghoff argues such market distortions should be addressed by FERC.
Catherine Morehouse • June 1, 2020 -
Yujin Kim/Utility Dive
Observing recovery through a climate 'magnifying glass'
COVID-19 presented cities with fresh observations of climate trends, marking a crucial time for leaders to weave climate change mitigation into recovery efforts.
Chris Teale • May 29, 2020 -
As utilities tackle immediate COVID-19 impacts, analysts stress need to focus beyond the pandemic
Power systems across the country need new approaches for today's shifting loads, but focusing on recovery and tomorrow’s resources can be even better, analysts say.
Herman K. Trabish • May 20, 2020 -
Fotolia
Colorado Tri-State ruling could provide co-op exit template amid rising tensions with G&T providers
Tri-State is struggling to respond to member demands for renewable energy. The conflict could have implications that drive an energy transition — or tear the electric cooperative system apart.
Herman K. Trabish • May 13, 2020 -
As extreme weather spurs billions in utility resilience spending, regulators struggle to value investments
A new study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows the value of resilience depends on too many factors to easily quantify and moves regulators back to human judgment.
Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2020 -
GE Renewables
84 GW US renewables+storage pipeline has developers anxious for market integration rules
Utilities and developers are adding renewables plus storage hybrids so fast and cost-effectively that regulators had to schedule a conference on paired technologies.
Herman K. Trabish • April 23, 2020
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