DOE turns to energy storage to build resilience, energy affordability in underserved communities

More than 30% of all households in the U.S. have experienced energy insecurity, according to the DOE. Energy storage projects may be able to help.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 21, 2022

Helping US utilities target grid resilience with digitalization

Having resilient and reliable power is critical for vital services such as healthcare, transportation and financial systems. When smart technologies are in place, power outages can be avoided.

March 21, 2022

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Grid Resiliency

Utilities and grid operators are facing increasing threats from climate change as well as cyber and physical attacks, and are deploying a variety of responses to meet the rising challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

What cyber incident reporting rules mean for critical infrastructure

The goal of the legislation is provide legal cover for companies to share threat intelligence with law enforcement and government agencies.

By David Jones • March 16, 2022

Congress adds historic cyber incident reporting rule to massive $1.5 trillion spending package

Key members of Congress and CISA say the bill will help protect critical infrastructure against malicious attacks.

By David Jones • March 15, 2022

SEC pushes for tougher cybersecurity disclosure rules

SEC Chair Gary Gensler said investors demand more detailed information about how companies seek to curb the risk and costs of cyberattacks.

By Jim Tyson • March 10, 2022

Republicans use EV hearing to knock Biden's clean energy policy as US bans oil and gas imports from Russia

The White House on Tuesday warned that drivers may see higher prices at the pump. Clean energy advocates say it is a reminder the country must shift away from fossil fuels.

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2022

PG&E, GM initiative will pilot use of electric vehicles to power homes in Northern California

“We see this as ... electric vehicles becoming mobile power sources or mobile batteries, if you will, offering greater energy reliability and resilience,” PG&E executive Aaron August said.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 8, 2022

Could Russia's invasion of Ukraine mean fewer near-term cyberattacks on US utilities?

U.S. critical infrastructure providers are on high alert, but — at least for now — the conflict in Europe could signal a lull in utility ransomware attacks, according to one security consultant.

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2022

Texas just dodged a repeat of 2021 outages, but its power sector has a long way to go, analysts say

Texas has weatherized its generators and protected critical infrastructure, but additional market reforms, new technologies, regional support and energy efficiency are still required, policymakers and analysts agreed

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2022

Transmission, reliability and gas system decarbonization top of mind for state utility regulators in 2022

Energy Innovation analysts share their top takeaways from last week's NARUC policy summit, along with insights for unlocking access to low-cost renewables, bolstering system reliability, and cutting natural gas emissions.

By Michelle Solomon and Hadley Tallackson • Feb. 23, 2022

Load growth, retiring fossil fuels creating 'urgent need' for new electric resources in the Southwest: report

Southwestern utilities estimate that electric loads will increase approximately 2.4% per year between 2021 and 2025, a time period during which they plan to retire around 1,200 MW of coal and 1,300 MW of natural gas capacity.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 18, 2022

Utility cybersecurity insurance premiums are on the rise, more than doubling for some independent power producers

Global politics and the rise of ransomware are driving up cybersecurity insurance costs for energy companies, though experts say electric utilities have fared relatively well so far. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2022

US must increase manufacturing of core grid equipment, despite costs: Berkshire Hathaway Energy

Securing the grid means moving development of some critical equipment back to the United States — or at least away from China, say experts. But that will come with a cost.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2022

Wildfires: Summer, Fall and Winter destruction...what's next?

Given ongoing increases in annual ambient temperature, expanded and extended drought conditions, increasing wind storms, etc., perhaps there is no longer a conveniently definable wildfire season.

Feb. 7, 2022

Tunneling robot speeds installation of underground utilities, aiding resilience efforts

Robotics company Petra said its technology allows it to bury utilities deep below the surface and in difficult terrain, expanding the reach of the utility grid and providing greater resilience against climate-related disasters.

By Mary Salmonsen • Feb. 3, 2022

Hydropower has critical role stabilizing Western Interconnection during extreme conditions: report

Developing a better understanding of how hydropower supports the grid will help to better value the resource, as well as make the case for future investments in hydropower facilities as a way to boost reliability, the study's authors said. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 2, 2022

A year after widespread blackouts, Texas grid prepares for looming winter freeze

The grid operator for most of Texas says it is "anticipating high demand for power" from Wednesday through Sunday and has taken "early preventative action" to ensure the grid remains stable.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2022

Breakthroughs in generation and system integration are driving the utility of the future, analysts say

The new technologies will reverse the supply-demand equation and bring competitive procurement and a transaction platform to merge the bulk power and distribution systems.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 31, 2022

Eversource digs out of 'major snowstorm' after 300k lose power

Crews from Connecticut and New Hampshire came to assist in the Massachusetts restoration, and now Eversource says less than 500 outages remain, as of Monday morning.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 31, 2022

2022 power and utilities industry outlook: The clean energy transition powers on

In 2022, the power industry will continue forging a path to a cleaner, more reliable, and resilient grid.

Jan. 31, 2022

FERC proposes internal monitoring requirements for bulk electric facilities to address security 'gap'

A bigger focus on intrusion detection could improve grid security, say experts, but it is unclear by how much and at what cost.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2022

DHS warns local authorities, critical infrastructure providers over potential Russian cyberattacks

As tensions rise over a possible Russian incursion into the Ukraine, federal authorities say Russia may launch direct cyberattacks against targets in the U.S. 

By David Jones • Jan. 26, 2022

Extremists have developed ‘credible, specific plans’ to attack the US power grid, DHS says in new warning

Domestic terrorists see the U.S. electric grid as a "particularly attractive target," according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security warning, raising fears of a physical attack on critical infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2022

PG&E proposes 6.4 GWh battery storage plan in response to California's 11.5 GW procurement order

If approved by state regulators, the projects would boost the utility’s total battery storage capacity to over 3,330 MW by 2024.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 25, 2022

2022 Utility Dive Outlook

Utility Dive examines priorities, expectations and trends for three key subjects — FERC, rate design and renewable energy — along with a broader roundup of some of the U.S. power sector trends to watch in the year ahead.

Jan. 24, 2022