Transmission & Distribution: Page 26
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New York adjusts standby, buyback rate methodologies, sweetening value proposition for NYC storage
"We expect that the rates that result from this methodology will have significantly reduced fixed charges that will improve the value for storage," Advanced Energy Economy's Danny Waggoner said.
By Robert Walton • March 24, 2022 -
FERC lowers PG&E's transmission return on equity to 9.3% in move that could affect national build-out
FERC's action reflects a more consumer-oriented viewpoint at the agency and could influence state ROE decisions during the energy transition, according to experts.
By Ethan Howland • March 23, 2022 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Mario Tama / Staff via Getty ImagesTrendlineGrid 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 -
Opinion
Local versus regional transmission planning: A false dichotomy
Both regional and local transmission planning and infrastructure are indispensable to achieving a cleaner and more resilient energy grid, the author writes.
By Larry Gasteiger • March 21, 2022 -
Sponsored by Schneider Electric
How grid operators are leaving F-gases, fossils and inefficiency behind
For heavy emitting sectors, such as the electricity industry, pressure is intensifying to find solutions to slash emissions and lower its carbon footprint.
March 21, 2022 -
CAISO approves nearly $3B of transmission projects to prepare for California's clean energy goals
The plan represents a massive increase in spending compared with an average of $217 million earmarked for transmission in the last five years.
By Kavya Balaraman • March 18, 2022 -
Senate bill directs FERC to bolster interregional transmission planning, require GHG reporting
The legislation provides direction to FERC as it considers changing its transmission rules, former FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff said.
By Ethan Howland • March 18, 2022 -
Puerto Rico emerges from bankruptcy, but its electric utility is still struggling with $9B in debt
Last week Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi canceled a debt restructuring plan for the island's utility that consumer advocates say would have raised power rates for almost five decades.
By Robert Walton • March 16, 2022 -
Retrieved from Public Utilities Commission of Texas.
A 'conservative' approach to Texas grid operations is raising costs for consumers: ERCOT market monitor
The expanded use of reliability unit commitments to ensure sufficient reserves is distorting wholesale markets in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, observers warn.
By Robert Walton • March 15, 2022 -
State regulators, utilities back MISO plan to allocate multi-value transmission costs to subregions
Illinois Industrial Energy Consumers and other industrial groups oppose the grid operator's proposal, however.
By Ethan Howland • March 9, 2022 -
Opinion
Pruning the thorns in transmission and generator interconnection reform
The clean transition no longer lacks capital, but it suffers from regulation that discourages its efficient use, the authors write.
By Jennifer Chen and Devin Hartman • March 8, 2022 -
Retrieved from Public Utilities Commission of Texas.
Golf course transmission reroute case could upend decades of precedent, Texas regulators say
As the state's population grows, particularly in rural areas, the Public Utility Commission of Texas faces new challenges in siting transmission projects.
By Robert Walton • March 7, 2022 -
2021 deals position US to be a global hydrogen leader: BloombergNEF
While records were broken for U.S. clean energy investment last year, the Energy Information Administration says more policy action will be needed for renewable sources to surpass natural gas and petroleum in the U.S. by 2050.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 4, 2022 -
Electricity prices and customer debt are rising: 'There will be suffering,' warns consumer advocate
In Massachusetts alone, electric and gas customer accounts 90 days or more past due are now in excess of $500 million, according to the National Consumer Law Center.
By Robert Walton • March 3, 2022 -
The image by FirstEnergy is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Ohio ratepayer advocate asks FERC to end RTO return on equity 'adder' for AEP, Duke, FirstEnergy
The request last week comes amid a more pro-consumer orientation at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, an equity analyst says.
By Ethan Howland • March 3, 2022 -
Retrieved from Public Utilities Commission of Texas.
Texas regulators direct utilities to file emergency operations plans
The new annual requirement, which begins in April, stems from widespread blackouts last year during winter storm Uri, but regulators also say they are "timely" given growing global threats.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 28, 2022 -
AEP to sell unregulated wind and solar assets to sharpen focus on transmission, regulated renewables
AEP plans to spend $38 billion over five years to foster a "major transformation," according to CEO Nick Akins.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 25, 2022 -
4 transmission technologies to watch
As Congress, DOE and FERC move to spur the development of new transmission, efforts are underway to improve existing transmission assets through various technologies.
By Gordon Feller • Feb. 23, 2022 -
Opinion
Transmission, reliability and gas system decarbonization top of mind for state utility regulators in 2022
Energy Innovation analysts share their top takeaways from last week's NARUC policy summit, along with insights for unlocking access to low-cost renewables, bolstering system reliability, and cutting natural gas emissions.
By Michelle Solomon and Hadley Tallackson • Feb. 23, 2022 -
Sponsored by Induron Protective Coatings
The most environmentally-friendly method for refurbishment of hot-dip galvanized structures
Utility owners continue to face increasing pressure to substantially upgrade transmission lines using existing infrastructure.
Feb. 22, 2022 -
(2022). "Maryland PSC Chair Jason Stanek speaks at FERC-NARUC transmission task force meeting." [screenshot]. Retrieved from FERC.
FERC, state task force eye benefits of considering transmission project portfolios, ending 'silos'
The FERC-NARUC task force aims to break down barriers to transmission development.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 17, 2022 -
California lowers electric sector GHG target, directs procurement of more than 40 GW of clean energy resources
Load-serving entities will need to procure 25.5 GW of new renewables and 15 GW of storage and demand response resources by 2032 under Thursday's California Public Utilities Commission decision.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2022 -
Sponsored by Schneider Electric
How grid operators are leaving F-gases, fossils and inefficiency behind
For heavy emitting sectors, such as the electricity industry, pressure is intensifying to find solutions to slash emissions and lower its carbon footprint.
Feb. 14, 2022 -
Texas gas generators fared better than wind during last week's winter storm: ERCOT
The Texas grid operator has made progress on weatherization and market reforms, but observers say last week's winter storm was not a real test of the electric grid.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2022 -
Utility capital spending remains strong, but inflation, federal policy uncertainty complicate outlook: EEI
Investor-owned electric utilities will make capital investments of about $140 billion annually from 2021-2023, officials from the Edison Electric Institute told Wall Street analysts.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2022 -
Biden administration promises 'a year of action' in drive to 100% clean energy for Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority is preparing to sign contracts for 2 GW of renewables and 1 GW of energy storage.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 7, 2022