State utility regulators grapple with load growth, reliability and permitting amid energy transition

“There are so many priorities that we need to balance,” Michigan PSC Commissioner Katherine Peretick said at a Cleanpower Expo panel.

By Brian Martucci • May 17, 2024

25 GW of new solar to boost summer grid reliability, but extreme heat poses widespread risks: NERC

The North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s summer grid assessment, released Wednesday, concludes that seven regions face an “elevated risk” of energy shortfalls in extended heat waves.

By Robert Walton • May 16, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

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

An advanced grid requires regulatory innovation

The need for innovation in utility regulation “springs” up on the heels of DOE paper, “Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Innovative Grid Deployment.” Regulatory innovation is essential for meeting the grid requirements of the future.

By Brandon Dyer, Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs, Sense • May 13, 2024

PJM, MISO to study transmission upgrades to bolster interregional power flows

The grid operators plan to finish their interregional transfer capability study early next year.

By Ethan Howland • May 10, 2024

VPPs could boost utilities’ credit profiles, but it’s ‘premature’ to consider impact: Morningstar DBRS

Though obstacles are impeding virtual power plants in the short term, the technology will be a plus for utilities and for reliability in the long run, the credit rating company predicts.

By Brian Martucci • May 6, 2024

Amid evolving utility goals and rising rates, an AMx strategy can de-risk AMI and bring all meters to the table

As the first wave of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) begins to reach the end of its expected life, new meter technologies—including next-generation “AMI 2.0” meters—promise to offer a host of new benefits to utilities and customers alike.

By Essie Snell • May 6, 2024

Achieving greater reliability: How utilities can overcome budget and climate challenges

Utilities need new and innovative ways to manage their operations, and advanced remote sensing technologies hold the key.

May 6, 2024

FERC and NERC review of winter storm gas failures lacks transparency, key details

Faltering energy system performance — which almost caused rolling blackouts — and insufficient scrutiny and transparency after the fact must not be the new normal with winter storms.

By Paul Arbaje • May 3, 2024

New early warning system will mitigate energy shortfall risks in New England

ISO New England’s new Probabilistic Energy Adequacy Tool, created jointly with EPRI, is part of the grid operator’s comprehensive and proactive approach to planning for a reliable future power system.

By Stephen George and Jinye Zhao • May 1, 2024

Artificial intelligence can help manage the grid but creates risks if deployed ‘naïvely,’ DOE warns

Machine learning could help electric utilities improve permitting and siting, reliability, resilience and grid planning, according to a new Department of Energy report.

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2024

Expanding advanced nuclear raises national security risks: IISTP report

The Institute for International Science and Technology Policy cautioned against an unqualified embrace of nuclear power as a climate change solution as international cooperation on nuclear safety frays.

By Brian Martucci • April 29, 2024

Charging ahead: GIS mobility sparks continuous improvement

GIS and Modern Network Management are the foundation for energy transformation.

By Bill Meehan, Esri • April 29, 2024

15 questions to ask your energy storage or solar-plus-storage partner

As utilities evaluate partners to meet growing demand—it is important to ask key questions that will help you select the right folks to support the energy transition.

April 29, 2024

MISO capacity prices triple for next summer, spring, partly on power plant retirements

Prices for Ameren Missouri and Columbia, Missouri’s municipal utility jumped to nearly $720/MW-day for the upcoming fall and spring seasons due to expected power supply shortages.

By Ethan Howland • April 26, 2024

Extreme winter weather grid performance improves, and 5 other takeaways from FERC’s open meeting

FERC rejected a preliminary permit application for a 3.6-GW pumped storage facility on Navajo Nation land in Coconino County, Arizona, in a nod to its new tribal policy.

By Ethan Howland • April 26, 2024

A single, unified Western power market will deliver affordability, reliability and climate benefits

The expansion of the Western Energy Imbalance Market with a day-ahead market and a new independent governing authority can open major opportunities for customer benefits and increased grid reliability.

By Lauren McCloy, Ben Otto, Diego Rivas and Fred Heutte • April 24, 2024

APS, others plan 1-year delay in fines for Western Resource Adequacy Program capacity shortfalls

Supply chain problems, unexpected load growth and extreme weather are challenging efforts to ensure adequate power supplies in the West, according to Avista, Calpine and other program participants.

By Ethan Howland • April 23, 2024

DOE cites cost, reliability concerns for new gas plants as it details how to meet surging power demand

Rising electricity demand will require a portfolio of resources, including energy storage, hydropower, nuclear, grid-enhancing technologies and demand-side management, DOE said.

By Robert Walton • April 18, 2024

China, Russia ramping up cyber activities against energy, water and other critical sectors: FBI director

“We’re seeing hostile nation states become more aggressive in their efforts to...target our critical infrastructure, export their aggression to our shores and front and center is China,” Christopher Wray said Tuesday.

By David Jones • April 12, 2024

The Future of AI will require an energy breakthrough. The answer is a fusion moonshot.

Skeptics contend that fusion has long promised much but failed to deliver. Historically, that has been true. But there is reason to believe this moment is different.

By Ylli Bajraktari • April 12, 2024

Regulators: Don’t panic and rush to gas amid cries we’re out of power

Proposing new gas plants to serve growing demand does not occur in isolation. It is a decision that implicitly rejects alternatives as either infeasible, expensive or unconsidered.

By Mike O’Boyle and Eric Gimon • April 11, 2024

What federal officials want to see in critical infrastructure cyber incident reports

Federal rules to implement the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act will be on the books in 18 months. Here are some of the main asks.

By Matt Kapko • April 8, 2024

Geopolitical turmoil has ‘significant ramifications’ for North American electric grid: NERC

Conflicts around the world and a slate of hostile nation-states mean additional efforts must be taken to secure the electric grid, officials said.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2024

Grid reliability’s core challenge is governance, not a changing resource mix

An outdated and parochial oversight system is the biggest threat to U.S. grid reliability.

By Alexandra Klass, Josh Macey, Shelley Welton and Hannah Wiseman • April 4, 2024

Monday’s eclipse could cut US solar output by 40 GWh. Here’s how 5 grid operators are preparing.

Grid operators are not expecting any reliability issues during the eclipse but say forecasting energy demand will be complicated. Monday “will not be a typical spring day,” MISO noted.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2024