90 miles of high-profile CapX2020 transmission line electrified

The CapX2020 project, owned by Xcel Energy and five others, will help build out wind generation in the Midwest.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2015

Defying the usual headlines: How utility-solar collaborations are helping solar grow

The Solar Electric Power Association awarded five utilities, individuals and partners for collaborating on policies and programs to push solar as a power resource at the Solar Power International conference earlier this year. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 15, 2015

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

Under pressure, Duke Energy to consider alternatives for Carolinas modernization plan

Duke Energy says it needs more time to cosider 9,000 comments it received on a proposed transmission line along the border of North Carolina and South Carolina.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 14, 2015

How 'grid neutrality' can build the backbone for the modern grid

Nagging debates over how, where and who should deploy distributed resources could be settled by principals that ensure an impartial grid, a new report argues.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 12, 2015

South Carolina utilities hold strong throughout historic rains

Despite being called a 1,000-year storm, power utilities in South Carolina weathered the flooding well, though Duke Energy Progress said it has restored power to about a half million customers.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2015

Colorado delays decision on Boulder municipal plan

The Public Utilities Commission narrowed the focus to a question of regulated monopolies and asked both sides to file briefs, delaying the case. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2015

House energy committee passes grid modernization bill

The Energy and Commerce Committee passed the measure by 32-20 in a bipartisan vote to protect crucial infrastructure from 21st century threats such as grid security, severe weather and moderizing grid infrastructure. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2015

Sandy in mind, East Coast utilities prep for Hurricane Joaquin

Remembering Hurricane Sandy's cataclysmic impact, East Coast electrical utilities are preparing to forstall any aftershocks of Hurricane Joaquin, which is predicted to hit the U.S. late in the weekend or early Monday.  

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2015

Hunt files $18B bid with Texas regulators to buy Oncor

Hunt's proposal seeks to convert Oncor into a real estate investment trust, a structure that's already raised eyebrows in the power sector.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 30, 2015

SPP expands operations with 3 new members, 6 states

The Southwest Power Pool began providing reliability coordination services to the Integrated System in June, and will take over operational control tonight. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2015

How storage will shape the future of concentrated solar power

CSP may not be the hottest topic in the solar or storage sectors, but its backers point out that it offers large scale renewable generation that is in many cases fully dispatchable.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 29, 2015

Newly-opened NJ offshore wind tract could yield 3,400 MW of capacity

The federal government has opened nearly 350,000 acres of ocean off the coast of New Jersey to wind development in a bid to meet President Obama's clean energy goals.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2015

How to become the 'Utility of the Future?' Industry experts weigh in

The key to creating the utility of the future is combining consumer demands with emerging technology in smart grids, energy efficiency and distribution generation, experts said during the 2015 Solar Power International conference. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2015

Duke simplifies microgrid development process for NC fire department

Duke Energy has developed a microgrid using only standard utility equipment, in a pilot program aimed at boosting reliability at a North Carolina fire department while also lowering development costs on distributed resources.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2015

After PUC rebuke, Boulder signals new flexibility in muni proceeding

Boulder, Colorado wants to form a municipal utility but after regulatory staff sided with incumbent utility Xcel Energy on the plan city officials have had to make changes to their proposal.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2015

Senate Dems pack climate bill full of clean energy goodies, but no carbon tax

A proposed climate bill introduced by U.S. Senate Democrats was expected to be mostly political messaging, but instead is an expansive platform of clean energy policies. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 24, 2015

ERCOT: Time to build more transmission in Texas Panhandle

Growing wind generation has overwhelmed transmission line capacity built from the Texas Panhandle into the state's dense population centers.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 24, 2015

Climate Change: Why every utility, regulatory body, and DER company needs a point person for it

A look at how DER, and all of the different components and aspects of smart grid, fit into climate strategies and action plans.

Sept. 23, 2015

3 Midwest utilities set up competitive transmission developers

The new companies — affiliates of Ameren, Westar, and BHE — will target transmission projects in organized markets.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2015

SDG&E disrupts power to 115,000 to avoid wider blackouts

Last weekend, the California Independent System Operator directed SDG&E to immediately shed 150 MW of load.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2015

Lincoln, Neb. muni approves $2.25 fixed charge increase

Lincoln Electric System wants to shift recovery of fixed costs for grid maintenance and upgrades to the fixed charge portion of the residential customer bill over the next eight to ten years.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 22, 2015

Portland General Electric could join CAISO Energy Imbalance Market

PGE reportedly turned away from the Northwest Power Pool to take advantage of millions in savings being realized by the imbalance market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 22, 2015

The top 10 trends transforming the electric power sector

From the decline of coal power to the rise of energy storage, big changes are quickly taking hold in the industry.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 17, 2015

PG&E repairing grid as California wildfires leave thousands without power

Pacific Gas & Electric had almost 13,000 customers without power as three wildfires in its service territory have damaged infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 17, 2015

ISO-NE: Reliability improved, but more gas capacity needed for upcoming winter

The grid operator's 2015 regional system plan focuses on the need for greater investment in the electric sector as well as building more natural gas pipeline capacity.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 17, 2015