Transmission & Distribution
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Berkeley Lab releases interactive decision framework for integrated distribution grid planning
The tool helps stakeholders navigate increasingly complex grid investment considerations as more states require utilities to file distribution plans, the lab said.
By Brian Martucci • July 8, 2024 -
US electricity prices rise again as AI, onshoring may mean decades of power demand growth: BofA
The year-over-year inflation rate for electricity prices reached 5.9% in May, up from 3.8% in January, according to Bank of America Institute.
By Robert Walton • July 8, 2024 -
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 -
US transmission policy in H1 2024 focused on spurring new lines, optimizing existing infrastructure
A recent Supreme Court ruling is prompting questions about the future of FERC’s new transmission rule, but DOE, states and others are also focused on boosting the capacity of the existing transmission system.
By Larry Pearl • July 3, 2024 -
FERC issues transmission planning rule, plus 5 other first half agency highlights
Wholesale market reforms, private equity mergers and reliability during extremely cold weather were among the other key issues the commission tackled in the first six months of 2024.
By Ethan Howland • July 3, 2024 -
Opinion
Two bold ideas to change the energy industry forever
Now may be an ideal time to make dramatic, fundamental changes to how we transport electricity, deliver it to customers and fund new projects, writes Anthony Allard, head of Hitachi Energy, North America.
By Anthony Allard • July 3, 2024 -
Opinion
Eliminating the discord over FERC Order 1920 — what’s the role for states?
Instead of fighting the rule, a coordinated effort by states of all stripes to help implement the order will ensure least cost, least regrets transmission planning.
By Devin Hartman and Kent Chandler • July 2, 2024 -
Xcel Energy proposes $1.9B wildfire mitigation plan in Colorado as risk areas nearly double
The plan would raise a typical residential bill by more than 9.5%, but “doing more to mitigate wildfire risk requires substantial investment,” the utility told regulators.
By Robert Walton • July 2, 2024 -
Opinion
A YIMBY approach to the transmission buildout
Just as housing advocates are finding new allies at the state and local level for their YIMBY — Yes in My Backyard — movement, the energy community should seek to cultivate proactive community demand for transmission projects.
By Robin Allen • June 28, 2024 -
FERC advances dynamic line rating framework, plus 6 other takeaways from its open meeting
FERC Commissioner David Rosner took part in his first open meeting as Commissioner Allison Clements said farewell.
By Ethan Howland • June 28, 2024 -
AEP, Exelon challenge PJM interconnection pact for Amazon data center at Talen nuclear plant
The precedent-setting proposal could shift up to $140 million in transmission costs to PJM customers, the utility companies said in a protest filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
By Ethan Howland • June 26, 2024 -
NYPA, LS Power transmission proposal could move up to 8 GW of offshore wind to NYC
The Five Boro Energy Connect project responds to a New York Independent System Operator solicitation for at least 4.7 GW of incremental offshore wind to be delivered into New York City by 2033.
By Robert Walton • June 24, 2024 -
Sponsored by Esri
Modern network management supports grid quadremma
How are utilities strengthening resiliency? The answer: Creating a tougher, smarter, more secure and healthier grid.
By Bill Meehan, Esri • June 24, 2024 -
Data center, AI load growth could threaten grid reliability: Conference Board
Although AI tools could eventually enable more efficient electricity generation, storage, transmission and use, near-term AI demand could slow the energy transition, the report says.
By Brian Martucci • June 20, 2024 -
FERC reconsiders Southeast Energy Exchange Market approval
The agency is seeking comments on whether SEEM, which includes Dominion, Duke and Southern Co., should be deemed a “loose power pool,” open to other participants.
By Ethan Howland • June 18, 2024 -
Utility self-funding rules for interconnection upgrades may unfairly drive up costs: FERC
The commission raised several concerns about ISO-NE, MISO, PJM and SPP rules that allow transmission owners to pay for and profit on network upgrades for interconnection customers.
By Ethan Howland • June 17, 2024 -
Eversource New Hampshire seeks $182M rate increase, performance-based rates
Customer bills would rise about 17% over two years to pay for investments in system automation, vegetation management and storm hardening, the utility said.
By Robert Walton • June 17, 2024 -
CAISO board approves ‘transformational’ grid interconnection reforms
The reforms aim to advance projects that are most likely to succeed, in part by prioritizing projects targeting areas in California with available transmission capacity.
By Ethan Howland • June 14, 2024 -
$7.85B Mountain Valley Pipeline construction complete
Gas will soon flow on the much-delayed project, which received a green light from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Tuesday.
By Julie Strupp • June 12, 2024 -
Opinion
Transmission planning’s next frontier: A rebuttable presumption for modern grid technologies
Regulators should apply the principle of ‘rebuttable presumption’ — accepting a given fact as true until it is disproved — by ensuring that alternative transmission technologies are prioritized in evaluating system needs.
By Jason Marshall • June 11, 2024 -
Deep Dive
As NVIDIA, IBM and others apply AI to boost utilities, regulatory and data privacy obstacles abound
The “move fast and break things” business model of the technology sector is meeting the regulated spending and reliability imperatives of the utility sector.
By Herman K. Trabish • June 11, 2024 -
NV Energy proposes 400 MW gas peakers, more than 1 GW each of solar, storage in 2024 IRP
The cost of the Greenlink Nevada transmission project has risen 70%, to $4.2 billion, due to inflation, supply chain constraints and labor costs, the utility said.
By Robert Walton • June 11, 2024 -
As major energy projects face 20% cost overruns, Bain consultants outline potential fixes
One U.S. electric utility cut the construction costs of a multiyear solar program by 15% by changing its operating model, according to a report from Bain.
By Ethan Howland • June 7, 2024 -
Grid operators fail to effectively use interregional ties, increasing costs, hurting reliability: NREL
National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers offer a range of options for improving existing interregional operations, including developing a national interregional transmission planning process.
By Ethan Howland • June 7, 2024 -
Senate panel advances FERC nominees; Senate confirms NRC chair for second term
The National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, a point of contention in the FERC nomination hearings, would change if new legislation now being drafted passes, Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., said.
By Ethan Howland • June 5, 2024 -
New England grid prepared for ‘typical’ summer, but ‘worst-case’ weather could be a challenge
“With the possibility of more extreme and less predictable weather conditions, there is an increased potential for system operators to activate emergency procedures,” ISO New England said.
By Robert Walton • June 4, 2024