Maryland officials press FERC to reject PJM directive to Exelon for $785M in transmission upgrades

The PJM Interconnection failed to consider energy storage and other options to handle Talen Energy’s plan to retire its Brandon Shores power plant, according to Maryland officials.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Sept. 21, 2023

Rising electrification requires a dramatic shift to integrated planning of DER, bulk resources: Xcel VP

Effective distribution system planning and merging analytic insights into comprehensive electricity planning both face barriers, analysts and stakeholders said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 20, 2023

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

SOO Green underground transmission line between MISO, PJM clears key hurdle with Iowa approval

The proposed 350-mile SOO Green project advances as two Democrats introduce a bill in Congress to spur interregional transmission capacity, partly to bolster grid reliability.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 18, 2023

Xcel to supply United Power with excess energy after co-op’s exit from Tri-State

As Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association loses members over cost and sustainability concerns, departing utilities are working to secure alternative energy supplies.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2023

Unlocking grid potential: Paving the way for renewable energy

Unleash Grid Potential and Boost Renewables: PPL's $23 Million Savings Story with DLR and AAR Technologies Revealed!

Sept. 18, 2023

Savings inside the meter: Real-time embedded software could save utilities over $1 billion annually

Access to real-time data leads to major cost savings. The annual conservation benefit derived from Sense-enabled smart meters (before the implementation of any load flexibility programs) could exceed $1.3 billion annually by the end of the decade.

Sept. 18, 2023

Southwest Power Pool expands Western reach with commitments from WAPA, Basin Electric

Seven utilities now plan to join the Southwest Power Pool and participate in Western interconnect markets beginning in early 2026.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 15, 2023

The grid needs to get together

To transform the grid to meet the reliability and resilience needs of consumers, we must have meaningful interregional transmission policy in this country.

By Kelly Speakes-Backman • Sept. 14, 2023

MISO: 49 GW has received interconnection approval, but projects face major delays

The roughly two-year delays in building generation and storage come as the Midcontinent Independent System Operator faces looming capacity shortfalls.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 14, 2023

LS Power, Pattern Energy, others behind 36 ‘ready-to-go’ transmission projects: report

Ten major transmission projects moving to construction is a sign of progress, but key challenges remain, Grid Strategies said in the report released Wednesday.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 13, 2023

Duke, AEP, Exelon among those primed to benefit from transmission investment: Moody’s

Despite the significant need for transmission investment, the credit ratings agency said siting and permitting “remains a bottleneck.”

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2023

Moody’s raises utility sector outlook to ‘stable’ while Bank of America remains cautious

Analysts at Bank of America say utility stocks are “close to fairly valued," with wildfires posing an existential threat to some.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2023

ERCOT forced to declare emergency conditions in extreme heat as Texas flirts with blackouts

Experts say battery resources may have kept the grid operator from declaring rolling blackouts amid low renewables output and high thermal outages.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2023

To spur clean energy, transmission buildout, NRDC calls for focus on affected communities

The Natural Resources Defense Council on Wednesday recommended steps to lift clean energy barriers, including quickly designating “national interest” transmission corridors.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 7, 2023

How utilities are partnering with GM, BMW, Lyft and others in the auto sector to accelerate EV adoption

Automakers and utilities “are now partners until the end of time, whether they like it or not,” said Joel Levin, executive director of Plug In America.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2023

Eversource, National Grid file draft plans to meet expected demand surge from electrification

Eversource expects a 150% demand increase by 2050, while National Grid says its peak demand will double. The plans will be finalized and filed with regulators in January.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2023

Nearly 300K Southeastern customers without power after Idalia makes landfall as Category 3 hurricane

Utilities have already returned service to hundreds of thousands of affected customers, but damage assessments continued Thursday in hardest-hit areas.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2023

DOE offers $300M to boost transmission siting and permitting, support affected communities

Transmission systems will need to expand 60% by 2030 and potentially triple by 2050 to meet clean electricity and resiliency demands, DOE said, citing independent estimates.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 30, 2023

Amid record heat, CAISO’s day-ahead market is proving the value of a regional grid

Establishing the Extended Day-Ahead Market is a significant milestone, but we need to get to a true regional grid, a Western Regional Transmission Organization, to achieve maximum benefits. 

By Mona Tierney-Lloyd and Jack Wadleigh • Aug. 30, 2023

CAISO seeks FERC approval for Western day-ahead market, with 2025 start date

The grid operator’s proposal is a key step in developing electricity markets in the West but faces competition from the Southwest Power Pool.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 24, 2023

Hawaiian Electric eyes bankruptcy after Maui wildfires in ‘prudent scenario planning’

“Like any company in this situation would do, and as we do in the normal course of business, we are seeking advice from various experts,” Hawaiian Electric and its parent company said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 21, 2023

Texas grid weathers steamy week, 2 calls for conservation, as experts urge more efficiency investment

Efficiency advocates say Texas continues to underinvest in demand-side solutions that could help to reduce grid stress and lower monthly power bills.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2023

The IT iceberg: Hidden challenges to realizing the energy transition lurking beneath the surface

Utilities have ambitious clean energy goals, but existing IT infrastructure threatens to curtail progress — here’s how they can make moves.

By Rajiv Shah, Head of US Policy and Markets, Octopus Energy Group • Aug. 21, 2023

In hit to Ameren, Illinois governor vetoes right of first refusal for MISO transmission

The veto comes amid a fight over whether major transmission projects should be put out to bid or built by incumbent utilities.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 18, 2023

Xcel proposes $102M transmission upgrade, targeting major congestion relief in Midwest

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator system could see nearly $834 million in benefits, Xcel said.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 18, 2023