Who should operate the distribution grid?

Grid edge reformers in some states are pushing to alter the utility's role beyond the substation.

By Gavin Bade • March 19, 2015

ICF: Clean Power Plan could require $2.5B in transmission investment

The timeline is a bigger challenge than the money, the consulting firm said.  

By Robert Walton • March 19, 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

Is solar worth $0.33 per kWh? Inside Maine's valuation debate

A study finds solar has great value, concerning the state's utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 19, 2015

Environmental groups urge N.C. regulators to reject utility smart grid plans

Utility smart grid plans lack sufficient detail on how customer data will be handled, say two consumer groups.

By Robert Walton • March 18, 2015

Going small: Microgrids are good for reliability, but are they good business?

Navigant Research weighs in on the challenges and opportunities for the global microgrid market.

By Robert Walton • March 18, 2015

Reliability concerns drive Missouri utility's $63 million bond proposal

 Electric customers will see a total 6% increase over a five year period if the bond referendum passes, the city said.

By Robert Walton • March 17, 2015

Dominion warns of blackouts if controversial line not approved

The utility warned residents could face serious reliability issues by 2017 without a transmission line across the James River.

By Robert Walton • March 17, 2015

SolarCity moves to 'run the grid' with new microgrid service

The nation's largest solar installer launches a "microgrid-as-a-service" product to enhance reliability.

By Gavin Bade • March 16, 2015

How wind can become America's biggest single energy source by mid-century

A U.S. Department of Energy study shows wind will soon be competitive with the cheapest generating resources, with or without subsidies.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 16, 2015

Why SRP's controversial demand charge unlocks a huge opportunity for solar-plus-storage

The utility wants customers to help with peak demand but they may buy batteries instead of more SRP electricity.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 12, 2015

ISO New England warns of threat to grid reliability over gas supply shortage

“Thousands of megawatts of generation” are at risk if there is a major gas pipeline outage, according to ISO NE. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 11, 2015

Oncor, up for sale, attracts multiple bidders

Attorneys for Energy Future Holdings expect to select a stalking horse bidder in the next six weeks.

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2015

TVA's plan for future: Less coal, more gas and efficiency

The biggest U.S. public utility filed its 20-year integrated resource plan, which does not call for any new base load generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 10, 2015

SunEdison acquires leading battery storage provider Solar Grid Storage

The Solar Grid Storage CEO says he wants PPA-like certainty for financial returns on solar systems.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 6, 2015

Why it's so hard to monetize the distribution grid

Utilities and regulators must move quickly to set up markets beyond the substation.

By Gavin Bade • March 6, 2015

NRG, Calpine sue Texas PUC over transmission project

The generators say the Houston Import Project is expensive and unnecessary. 

By Robert Walton • March 5, 2015

FAA authorizes ComEd to use drones for power line inspections

ComEd is also investigating the use of underground robots in its manholes, which present significant risks to workers.

By Robert Walton • March 5, 2015

Where the grid edge transformation is happening first and why

New analysis from GTM Research look at what factors will push the U.S. utility sector into the future.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2015

The new roadmap for the revival of offshore wind

As Block Island secures funding, a new white paper lays out policy strategies to revive the overall industry.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 3, 2015

PSE&G plans 5-year gas infrastructure investment program

The utility will spend $1.6 billion to upgrade its gas infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2015

Cape Wind president endorses coalition pushing new offshore wind policy

National Grid and Eversource, now out of Cape Wind PPAs, are eyeing new natural gas.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2015

Illinois Gov. considers measure to extend smart grid cost recovery

If approved, Ameren and ComEd would have two additional years to recover the costs of upgrading their distribution systems.

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2015

Trivedi on NY's REV order: Why the utility should not be the DSP

New York's REV is innovative, but regulators should not let utilities own and operate the Distributed System Platform (DSP), writes consultant Navneet Trivedi. 

By Navneet Trivedi • March 2, 2015

Beyond the substation: How 5 proactive states are transforming the grid edge

Regulators are reshaping the role of the distribution system.

By Gavin Bade • March 2, 2015

Why utilities and solar advocates can't agree on what solar costs

A row over the cost of solar in Arizona is illustrative of other battles nationwide.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 26, 2015