Transmission & Distribution: Page 22
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5 New England states propose ‘modular’ transmission plan to incorporate 8.4 GW of offshore wind
The states say they are “actively” considering high voltage direct current transmission solutions in 1,200 MW increments through 2040.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2022 -
After DLR boosts transmission line capacity 25%, Duquesne Light expands LineVision partnership
The technology, which has caught the attention of federal regulators, uses real-time data to assess the capacity of transmission assets rather than relying on static assumptions.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2022 -
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 -
‘What is true for alcohol and milk’ must be true for transmission, 5th Circuit says in NextEra decision
A Texas law giving utilities the sole right to build transmission likely violates the U.S. Constitution’s Commerce Clause, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals said Tuesday.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 31, 2022 -
ISO New England floats ‘energy reserve’ to ensure grid reliability, access to LNG at Everett terminal
Long-term regional plans call for reducing the need for imported LNG, but for now, the Everett terminal outside Boston remains key to New England energy adequacy.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2022 -
Maine Supreme Court opens pathway for Avangrid’s $1B New England transmission project
Legal challenges remain, however, for the project designed to deliver emissions-free power from Canada to Massachusetts utilities.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 31, 2022 -
Avista, Northwest utilities, power trader commit to next phase of SPP Western market initiative
The Bonneville Power Administration has agreed to fund the Southwest Power Pool’s Markets+ effort, but it also is considering a parallel effort by California’s grid operator.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 30, 2022 -
PECO Energy agrees to $150K civil penalty, energy assistance payments, for improper 2018-19 disconnections
The issues stem from software updates at PECO Energy's customer call center. The utility has also agreed to contribute about $400,000 to a bill payment assistance fund.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2022 -
Starwood Energy, TS Conductor launch JV to triple power line capacity, avoid new transmission obstacles
The Gridline Finance joint venture would be paid via utility savings generated by their more efficient power lines, which the companies say lower costs and expand capacity.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 26, 2022 -
Federal appeals court denies LS Power lawsuits seeking to expand competition in MISO
The court decisions on Friday come as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is weighing the role competition should play in transmission development.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 23, 2022 -
OPSI supports complaint against PJM that seeks tighter transmission project oversight
The PJM Interconnection’s failure to enter into designated entity agreements is hurting consumers and grid reliability, the Organization of PJM States said Friday.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 22, 2022 -
Sponsored by Southwire
Settling the creep correction debate
The impending release of new guidelines for the installation of overhead conductors will settle a lingering debate about if and when to correct for creep during the hanging of new transmission lines.
Aug. 22, 2022 -
Sharp views from Enel, WIRES, others on FERC’s transmission planning proposal shared at forum
Breaking the “uncertainty cycle,” competition in transmission construction and whether independent monitors should oversee transmission planning were key issues raised at a Thursday event held by Americans for a Clean Energy Grid.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 19, 2022 -
Justice Department, FTC urge FERC to expand competition for building new transmission, deny utility exclusivity
The Edison Electric Institute disagreed, saying Wednesday that utilities should have first dibs on building transmission because competition doesn’t work in the sector.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 18, 2022 -
New ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas must address soaring energy costs, market observers say
Vegas, currently executive vice president of NiSource, will take over leadership of the Texas grid as efforts to ensure reliability are driving customer bills higher.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 17, 2022 -
Sponsored by West Monroe
A utility’s journey to a more digital customer experience
Everyday life is becoming increasingly digital. That applies to utilities and their customers, too.
By Nicole Pennington, Senior Manager, Energy & Utilities, West Monroe and Amanda Aweh, Manager, Energy & Utilities, West Monroe • Aug. 15, 2022 -
New York regulators OK key National Grid and Invenergy transmission projects, reject NextEra solar farm
The transmission projects support New York’s clean energy goals, but NextEra Energy Resources’ 180-MW North Side solar farm was rejected over environmental concerns.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 12, 2022 -
MISO benefit-cost analysis of $10.3B transmission plan offers framework for national model: ACORE report
“When the benefits of proposed transmission lines are fully calculated, the advantages of new lines are made clear to regional planners,” Gregory Wetstone, ACORE president and CEO, said Tuesday.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 10, 2022 -
MISO transmission ROEs vacated by D.C. Circuit, sending FERC back to the drawing board
The court decision Tuesday was “a big win for consumers,” Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Richard Glick said.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 10, 2022 -
Xcel Energy expects to build $1.2B in power line projects under MISO’s new $10.3B transmission plan
At $7.4 billion, transmission spending makes up the second-largest piece of Xcel’s 5-year capital expenditure plan.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 9, 2022 -
Ameren seeks FERC rate approval for N.M. transmission lines to ship power from 680-MW Clearway wind project
The power lines are designed to deliver wind energy to the Four Corners trading hub, which connects to major transmission lines across the Southwest.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 8, 2022 -
Sponsored by ScottMadden
Electrifying fleet customers – How utilities can capitalize on the coming fleet electrification wave (before it’s too late)
Utilities have a critical role in the coming wave of commercial vehicle electrification. Fleet advisory services are necessary to determine infrastructure needs to successfully manage new charging demands.
Aug. 8, 2022 -
Deep Dive
NextEra’s ‘game-changing’ Real Zero emissions goal spurs questions about hydrogen, demand-side management
NextEra, the world’s biggest IOU by market cap, wants a “real” reduction of all carbon emissions by FPL, its regulated subsidiary, with solar, batteries and green hydrogen, but it will go without much help from the demand side.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 3, 2022 -
Transmission planners underestimate economic value of new links to handle extreme grid conditions: LBNL study
There are potential regional and interregional transmission links that could help cut electricity costs but aren’t being fully valued by transmission planners, federal researchers said on Monday.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 2, 2022 -
MGM Resorts, others urge FERC to reject incentives for NV Energy’s $2.5B Greenlink transmission project
Public Citizen pointed to NV Energy parent company Berkshire Hathaway’s strong capitalization and liquidity, saying they allow it to “mitigate risk for Greenlink without need to force captive customers to pay incentive rates.”
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 2, 2022 -
Reserve margin may need to rise to 300% by 2040 as more renewables added to grid: ISO New England
A scenario where reliability criteria are met using only solar, wind and storage would challenge the transmission system and require “an outsized amount of land or offshore areas” for wind and solar farms, ISO-NE found.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 2, 2022