Electric-gas coordination, planning vital to grid recovery after blackouts: FERC-NERC report

The electric and gas sectors should collaborate on a “blackstart system restoration plan” to bring the grid back online in the event of a system collapse, a new report concludes.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2023

ERCOT eyes more demand response for 2024, reserve procurements this winter: CEO Vegas

But the use of ERCOT’s new contingency reserve service has resulted in a $12.5 billion overprocurement of ancillary services, according to independent market monitor Potomac Economics.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

The U.S. energy transition is facing challenges around grid interconnections, project permitting and power system reliability, but state, federal and other solutions are emerging.

By Utility Dive staff

Colorado PUC delays 2.1 GW of Xcel wind and solar, citing cost concerns

While regulators approved the addition of 50% less wind capacity and 18% less solar capacity than Xcel proposed, they approved 58% more energy storage power capacity than the utility’s preferred portfolio.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2023

Rising peak demand, 83 GW of planned retirements create blackout risks for most of US: NERC

"Overly rigid" environmental regulations and energy policies can jeopardize “the orderly transition of the resource mix,” the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s 10-year reliability assessment warns.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2023

As NERC members risk missing weatherization standards deadline, board vows to act on its own

NERC faces a February deadline to revise cold weather standards, but proposed rules failed the most recent stakeholder vote.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2023

US electricity load growth forecast jumps 81% led by data centers, industry: Grid Strategies

Data from FERC Form 714 shows grid planners expect nationwide power demand to grow 4.7% over the next five years compared with a previous estimate of 2.6%.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2023

Arizona’s chief utility regulator bashes ESG, says it’s not a factor when weighing utility plans

Solar and wind resources may be cheaper, but the head of the Arizona Corporation Commission said fossil fuels “will continue to play a critical role in the delivery of reliable, affordable power.”

By Robert Walton • Dec. 12, 2023

Hawaii, 3 other states earn B microgrid grades. Most get Ds, per scorecard report.

With distributed resources flourishing, “there's a huge risk that we're leaving a lot of value on the table” by failing to coordinate them with microgrids, said Cameron Brooks, Think Microgrid executive director.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 6, 2023

Alliant, DTE, NextEra, others urge FERC to reject MISO’s proposed interconnection queue cap

The grid operator’s proposed interconnection study cap would create “an unworkable queue that undermines competition, raises rates, and threatens reliability,” renewable energy groups said Monday.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 5, 2023

Federal appeals court upholds FERC action on PJM capacity market rule, sets precedent

The decision by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals offers a “yardstick” for court reviews when FERC is deadlocked and can’t make a decision — a situation that could become more common, ClearView Energy Partners said.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 4, 2023

FERC rejects SPP winter resource adequacy proposal over lack of teeth

“Without an expected availability requirement for the winter season, there is a risk that capacity calculations could be inflated, giving a false impression of resource adequacy and grid resilience,” FERC said Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 1, 2023

NARUC launches initiative to enhance gas-electric sector coordination, boost grid reliability

Electric generators are “more reliant than ever” on natural gas, and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners has launched a 15-month effort to improve coordination between the sectors.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 28, 2023

Redeveloping retired coal sites into nuclear plants could benefit the planet and the economy

In most regions, the retirement of coal plants will require replacing the power and grid services in some form to meet grid reliability and end-user needs.

By Caleb Tomlin • Nov. 27, 2023

Can ERCOT show the way to faster and cheaper grid interconnection?

With the "connect and manage" process, which doesn’t require network upgrades, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas brought 14.2 GW online in the last two years, more than any other grid operator.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 27, 2023

NYISO to keep 4 NYC peakers running past planned 2025 retirement to maintain reliability

The Gowanus 2 & 3 and Narrows 1 & 2 barge-mounted generators will act as a two-year “temporary solution” for New York City’s reliability needs, the state’s grid operator said.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 21, 2023

Wake up, America: 8 actions to boost advanced nuclear and enhance US energy security

Advanced nuclear reactors are no longer our grandparents’ nuclear technology, but the American nuclear permitting apparatus hasn’t caught up, Rep. Byron Donalds writes.

By Byron Donalds • Nov. 21, 2023

Fossil fuel makes up 1% of Colorado generation in 2040 under least-cost approach: state study

The study will be used as part of legislative talks next year on expanding Colorado’s clean energy goals beyond its 80% carbon emissions reduction target for 2030.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 21, 2023

ERCOT drops plans to add 3 GW for winter reliability after ‘zombie’ power plants fail to bid

Looking ahead, the grid operator said it believes there is “tremendous potential in expanding demand response capabilities” to help keep the Texas grid reliable.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2023

FERC projects 5% drop in winter power prices in PJM, New York and Southeast

Led by solar, installed U.S. capacity increased by 35 GW from a year ago to 1,223 GW, and battery storage is expected to surge to 10 GW from 4 GW in the same period, according to FERC’s winter assessment report.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 17, 2023

EPA’s power plant carbon rule relies on unproven tech, threatens grid reliability: House Republicans

The proposal “requires stringent and unproven” emissions controls for coal-fired plants "in unrealistic time frames,” said David Glatt, director of the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2023

EPA official says power plant carbon rule may need changes as groups stress reliability concerns

The EPA is meeting with the North American Electric Reliability Corp., grid operators and others as it refines its power plant proposal, an agency official said during a FERC reliability conference Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 10, 2023

FERC approves PJM’s Exelon-oriented $796M transmission plan over Maryland objections

FERC Commissioner Allison Clements urged PJM to consider more proactive transmission planning to address reliability needs.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 10, 2023

NuScale, UAMPS terminate small modular reactor project in Idaho

NuScale and the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems determined that the 462-MW project would likely not reach a sufficient subscription level to continue toward deployment.

By Larry Pearl • Nov. 9, 2023

Much of North America faces ‘elevated risk’ of blackouts in extreme winter conditions: NERC

Climate change, rising energy demand and natural gas dependence mean “a massive grid disruption is inevitable,” said Mark Spurr, legislative director at the International District Energy Association.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2023

Kentucky PSC partly approves PPL’s $2.1B plan to retire coal, add gas, solar and storage

The commission approved a 125 MW/500 MWh battery energy storage facility, which it said will give LG&E/KU insight into operating and integrating large-scale storage to meet customer demand.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 8, 2023