Transmission & Distribution: Page 28
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Scott Olson via Getty Images
MISO proposal to let utilities profit from upgrades for HVDC lines sparks debate at FERC
Clean energy advocates and SOO Green developer warn the plan could stymie transmission development and renewable energy buildout.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 22, 2021 -
Ron Jenkins via Getty Images
'Anecdotal evidence' points to price gouging during winter storm Uri, NERC official says
Power shutoffs to gas compression facilities were not the primary cause of the February grid outages in Texas and the U.S. Southwest, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp. And price gouging may have played a part.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 22, 2021 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Mario Tama / Staff via Getty Images
TrendlineGrid 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 -
Alex Wong via Getty Images
Democrats plan to press ahead with Build Back Better bill, despite Manchin opposition
The legislation threatens grid reliability and increases U.S. dependence on foreign supply chains, according to Sen. Joe Manchin.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 20, 2021 -
Chuck Schug Photography via Getty Images
Extreme weather, plant retirements challenge US grid amid a looming Midwest capacity shortfall: NERC
Recent energy shortfalls and grid disruptions in California and Texas "should serve as a wake-up call for the rest of the country," warned officials at the North American Electric Reliability Corp.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2021 -
imaginima via Getty Images
FERC orders utilities to fine-tune line ratings to boost transmission efficiency
Chairman Glick outlined a path for the agency's transmission rulemaking, and gas pipeline companies came under scrutiny.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 17, 2021 -
Alexander Koerner/Getty Images via Getty Images
Energy transition likely requires market changes, transmission growth, PJM finds
A report released Wednesday identifies gaps in PJM's markets and signals changes in transmission planning and system operations, per the grid operator.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 16, 2021 -
Deep DiveWill Tri-State's exit fee dispute at FERC shake up the cooperative utility model?
Even with United Power announcing plans to leave, Tri-State continues its pivot toward renewables and contract flexibility.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 15, 2021 -
Spectra Energy
North American Energy Standards Board to tackle gas-electric coordination in 2022
The industry forum wants to improve coordination between natural gas and electricity markets following disruptions in Texas during Winter Storm Uri.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2021 -
"TRTP Eastern Transition Station Chino Hills" by Daniel Allen Andrews is licensed under CC BY 4.0
FERC urged to reject Southern California Edison plan to profit on power line expenses
The proposal to profit from ongoing spending on the completed Tehachapi power line would drive up ratepayer costs and could set a bad precedent, according to the California Public Utilities Commission.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 13, 2021 -
ISO New England can meet winter power demand 'if the weather is mild,' grid operator warns
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a mild New England winter this year, and grid officials are hoping that holds true.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2021 -
Courtesy of X-energy
New Mexico regulators unanimously reject Avangrid-PNM merger, but observers see a second chance in 2023
Observers say it is possible the deal can be salvaged, but for now concerns over reliability and the development of renewable resources have scuttled the proposed $8 billion merger.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2021 -
Sean Pavone/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Deep DiveNew York’s landmark Reforming the Energy Vision framework remains both vital and unfinished, analysts say
New York's REV initiatives have given full value to distributed energy resources, but the utility business model transformation must be finished, regulators and other stakeholders agreed.
By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2021 -
Schroeder, Dennis. (2017). "Ivanpah Solar Project". Retrieved from NREL.
Nuclear and carbon capture companies seek $20B as DOE revives loan program
DOE loan office head Jigar Shah said he would like the office to issue at least $2 billion in loans for key emerging sectors, such as battery recycling and "green" hydrogen.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 8, 2021 -
Chuck Schug Photography via Getty Images
Wind developer joins $3B transmission project poised to be 'backbone' for Western power markets
The 730-mile TransWest Express project from Wyoming to Nevada could provide Southwest utilities with low-cost wind while facilitating participation in potential area-wide power markets, regional experts say.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 7, 2021 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Texas power plants 'ready for winter' following weatherization assessment, ERCOT says
On-site inspections of more than 300 generating units mean consumers "can be confident" the power system will remain stable this winter, according to the grid operator.
By Robert Walton • Updated Jan. 5, 2022 -
OpinionImproving outcomes for everyone: Enthusiasm builds for broader Western electricity market
At issue is how we go about making our electricity cleaner, more reliable and more affordable, according to the CEOs of Southern California Edison and Pacific Power.
By Steven Powell & Stefan Bird • Dec. 6, 2021 -
Permission granted by Schneider Electric
Sponsored by Schneider ElectricQ&A: Why do smart grids need ring main units that are greener, more digital and secure?
As more renewable energy is progressively added to the power grid, the grid itself must take steps to decarbonize.
By Christophe Preve, Schneider Electric • Dec. 6, 2021 -
Permission for use provided by Wartsila North America
Sponsored by WärtsiläTrends to watch in energy storage in 2022
By the end of 2030, the energy storage industry will break the 1 terawatt (TW) threshold. Wärtsilä's Vice President of Energy Storage and Optimization, Andrew Tang shares his thoughts on the trends we'll see unfold as a result.
By Andrew Tang, Vice President, Energy Storage and Optimization • Dec. 6, 2021 -
Iulia Gheorghiu/Utility Dive
Despite authority to require RTOs, Glick says FERC will encourage bottom-up approach to creating power markets
The top federal energy regulator supports RTO participation and said he is focused on orders that will not create disincentives for states or utilities to join the broader transmission planning groups.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 3, 2021 -
Colorado utilities could cut costs 5% by joining an RTO, PUC finds, as Western market momentum builds
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission report adds to growing momentum for forming organized power markets in the West, according to Advanced Energy Economy and Interwest Energy Alliance officials.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 3, 2021 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
OpinionIrreconcilable conflict? Lessons from the Central Maine Power transmission corridor debacle
The Central Maine Power corridor debate shows public support must be built for much-needed infrastructure through strategic, long-term transmission and distribution planning, the author writes.
By Rebecca Schultz • Nov. 30, 2021 -
8 states, DC urge FERC to reject EEI, Eversource call to drop competition for transmission projects
Utility regulators and attorneys general also want the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to require independent monitors to help oversee powerline planning.
By Ethan Howland • Nov. 29, 2021 -
The image by FirstEnergy is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
FERC balks at PJM utilities' proposal to profit on network upgrades
The plan by PPL Corp., Exelon and other utilities is part of a broader utility effort to be allowed to invest in more types of transmission projects.
By Ethan Howland • Nov. 22, 2021 -
Sean Gallup via Getty Images
AEP, Sunflower execs urge FERC to require grid planners to identify renewable energy zones
Proactively planning transmission to serve areas that are designated for deploying clean energy could save money, experts told federal regulators.
By Ethan Howland • Nov. 16, 2021 -
Deep Dive
Changing climate and electricity mix renew region-wide power market ambitions for the 'Wild West'
Replacing today's "inflexible" dispatch in 11 Western states with an RTO's optimized operations and avoided capacity costs could deliver up to $1.3 billion in annual benefits, according to a DOE-funded study.
By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 15, 2021
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