ERCOT drops plans to add 3 GW for winter reliability after ‘zombie’ power plants fail to bid

Looking ahead, the grid operator said it believes there is “tremendous potential in expanding demand response capabilities” to help keep the Texas grid reliable.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2023

Wildfire risks in the US are soaring. Here’s what utilities can do.

To address the increasing risk of wildfire, utilities must embrace short- and long-term strategies that emphasize asset protection, real-time risk assessment and infrastructure investments.

By Judsen Bruzgul and Neil Weisenfeld • Nov. 17, 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

FERC projects 5% drop in winter power prices in PJM, New York and Southeast

Led by solar, installed U.S. capacity increased by 35 GW from a year ago to 1,223 GW, and battery storage is expected to surge to 10 GW from 4 GW in the same period, according to FERC’s winter assessment report.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 17, 2023

DOE proposes easing environmental reviews for certain storage, solar, transmission projects

The proposed “categorical exclusions” would speed project reviews, the Department of Energy said Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 16, 2023

All hands on deck needed to build IRA-driven infrastructure, federal officials say

“By 2035 alone we're going to need to add about 75,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines,” said Jesse Jenkins, head of the ZERO Lab at Princeton University.

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 14, 2023

Regulators need to require utilities to use grid-enhancing technologies: FERC’s Clements

“These are modest investments, they're going to save customers money … and if we don't tell the transmission owners to do it, they're not going to do it,” Allison Clements said at NARUC’s annual meeting.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 14, 2023

Hawaiian Electric to provide up to $75M to new state fund for Maui wildfire victims

Those who use the fund will waive their ability to get compensated through litigation, Scott Seu, president and CEO of parent company Hawaiian Electric Industries, said.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 10, 2023

FERC approves PJM’s Exelon-oriented $796M transmission plan over Maryland objections

FERC Commissioner Allison Clements urged PJM to consider more proactive transmission planning to address reliability needs.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 10, 2023

Much of North America faces ‘elevated risk’ of blackouts in extreme winter conditions: NERC

Climate change, rising energy demand and natural gas dependence mean “a massive grid disruption is inevitable,” said Mark Spurr, legislative director at the International District Energy Association.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2023

Maine voters reject public takeover of CMP, Versant utilities

Question 3 proposed that the state form a nonprofit, consumer-owned utility called Pine Tree Power to purchase the assets of Maine's investor-owned utilities.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2023

Texas voters approve $10B energy fund, with most going to build gas-fired power plants

The fund will be administered by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, with $7.2 billion allocated for new construction or upgrades of dispatchable power generation. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2023

ISO New England proposes 1-year delay to 2025 forward capacity auction

The New England grid operator told regulators it must complete an analysis of the region’s constrained natural gas system in order to “accurately value the reliability contributions of all resources.”

By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2023

Where do cellular generational standards come from, and what is 6G?

What exactly does “6G” mean? The development of cellular generations involves a collaborative effort between the International Telecommunications Union and 3GPP.

By Mathew Eshpeter, Technical Consultant, Burns & McDonnell • Nov. 6, 2023

How America’s grid modernization stakes echo Eisenhower’s interstate revolution

Enacting sound policies that deliver a 21st century grid and spur interregional transmission development will drive tremendous economic and other benefits like our interstate highway system has done.

By Jose Zayas • Nov. 6, 2023

As the ICE age ends, utilities must adapt

The transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) is happening, but there are challenges to overcome. Find out how GIS analytics can help utilities navigate this transition.

By Bill Meehan, Esri • Nov. 6, 2023

More MISO-PJM transmission transfer capacity could save over $15B by 2035: report

The American Council on Renewable Energy called on the PJM Interconnection to adopt a proactive, multi-value transmission planning approach.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 3, 2023

FERC Order 2023 won’t solve fundamental interconnection problems: Commissioner Clements

“The reality is, when we have these complex issues, you don't just solve it, like the good old days, with one rule,” Clements said Thursday. “This is going to be a series of steps.”

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 3, 2023

Arizona Public Service, Tucson Electric expect to add 20 GW of mainly renewables, storage by 2038

Arizona’s investor-owned utilities expect to exit coal-fired generation by 2032, according to resource plans filed Wednesday with state regulators.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 2, 2023

Dominion Energy tapped to build $2.5B in transmission under PJM’s $5B proposal

PJM staff also selected Potomac Electric Power, Public Service Electric & Gas, FirstEnergy, LS Power, NextEra and Transource to build transmission facilities to address growing load and power plant retirements.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 1, 2023

Regional transmission needs greatest in ERCOT, MISO, SPP: DOE

The Department of Energy sees major benefits in more interregional transmission capacity between the Southwest Power Pool and the Midcontinent grid operator, and between New York and New England.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 31, 2023

DOE picks National Grid, Berkshire Hathaway, Grid United transmission projects in first capacity buys

The planned transmission projects in New England and the West could carry 3.7 GW of clean energy while bolstering grid resilience, DOE said Monday.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 30, 2023

PJM selects $372M in FirstEnergy transmission projects, reflecting ‘significant’ power line buildout

FirstEnergy expects to spend $1.8 billion this year on transmission projects eligible for formula rates, which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission reviews without the scrutiny of a rate case.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 30, 2023

FERC accepts ISO New England plan facilitating storage as transmission-only assets

Because they would be built to improve transmission reliability, “SATOAs will not compete in the electricity markets and will have minimal effect on wholesale prices,” ISO New England said.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2023

DOE issues draft plan for speeding up, improving grid interconnections

The draft road map goes beyond the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s recent interconnection reform rule, in part by calling for fast-track interconnection options.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 26, 2023

Texas ban on non-incumbent transmission is unconstitutional: US solicitor general

The solicitor general urged the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss a petition to review an appeals court finding that a Texas law likely violates the Commerce Clause.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 25, 2023