Transmission & Distribution: Page 3
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Opinion
Utilities’ hidden clean energy tax is at the heart of our energy challenges
Ending utility self-funding is central to FERC’s efforts to change utilities’ incentives and push them to tackle more ambitious high-voltage projects.
By Ari Peskoe • Oct. 24, 2024 -
Nearly 100 utilities’ credit ratings downgraded since 2020 as wildfire risks grow
Rising insurance and mitigation costs threaten utilities' financial stability, but there may be hope on the horizon, according to a report from Charles River Associates.
By Emma Penrod • Oct. 23, 2024 -
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 -
AI, data center load could drive ‘extraordinary’ rise in US electricity bills: Bain analyst
Utility revenue requirements to serve growing data center electricity demand could increase customer bills by 1% annually through 2032, according to Bain & Company.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2024 -
DOE selects nearly $2B in projects for grid resilience funding
The projects will boost transmission capacity by more than 7.5 GW, accelerate interconnection for clean energy and spark over $4.2 billion in public and private investment, according to DOE.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 18, 2024 -
FERC bars payments for ‘deadband’ reactive power, plus 4 other open meeting takeaways
Renewable energy trade groups, Public Service Enterprise Group and other generators opposed the agency’s decision on reactive power.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 18, 2024 -
BPA plans $3 billion in transmission projects, including 500-kV lines
The planned transmission across Oregon and Washington comes as the Southwest Power Pool and California Independent System Operator aim to expand wholesale power markets in the West.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 16, 2024 -
Sponsored by Smarter Grid Solutions
From aggregation to action: Implementing effective behind-the-meter control strategies with Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS)
Discover how implementing a DERMS solution will help you utilize BTM DERs for grid reliability
Oct. 15, 2024 -
Tribal nations want utility-scale clean energy, but upfront costs pose a barrier
The deposit required to remain in an interconnection queue can cost tribes $5 million dollars on short notice, says Chéri Smith, CEO of the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy.
By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 14, 2024 -
AEP Ohio urges PUC to reject ‘Hail Mary’ data center tariff proposal from Amazon, others
Google, Microsoft and Meta joined Constellation Energy and other organizations last week in proposing terms for connecting “electricity-intensive” customers to the grid.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 14, 2024 -
PJM aims to fast-track reliability projects in interconnection queue
The PJM Interconnection’s plan to allow a limited number of reliability-oriented generating projects to enter an interconnection study process early next year sparked concerns from some stakeholders, including Invenergy.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 9, 2024 -
Opinion
Opportunities and obstacles for the Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission
The memorandum of understanding that established the collaborative is remarkable for the sheer number of states involved and the fact that it covers three independent system operators: ISO-NE, NYISO and PJM.
By Ryan Cross • Oct. 9, 2024 -
AEP, Dominion, FirstEnergy propose joint 765-kV transmission projects across PJM
The transmission proposals spanning Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio were developed through an “innovative joint planning agreement,” the companies said Monday.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 8, 2024 -
DOE offers microgrid funding with focus on Alaska, Hawaii, indigenous tribes
“DOE plans to work closely with rural and tribal communities to develop microgrid technologies that will lead to more reliable, affordable energy in isolated regions,” science and innovation chief Geri Richmond said.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 7, 2024 -
DC Circuit upholds FERC order on NextEra Seabrook circuit breaker
The court decision on Friday likely resolves the last major hurdle for Avangrid’s $1.5 billion New England Clean Energy Connect transmission project, ClearView Energy Partners said.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 7, 2024 -
DOE selects 3-GW Pattern Energy transmission project linking ERCOT, Southeast for capacity buy
Avangrid, Invenergy and Grid United were other winning developers in the department’s $1.5 billion solicitation to buy transmission capacity.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 4, 2024 -
Constellation, Calpine, others urge FERC to reject Exelon co-location tariff proposals
However, PJM’s market monitor supports the proposal, saying it would ensure co-located load pays for its share of grid and distribution services.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 3, 2024 -
DOE transmission planning study identifies ‘high opportunity’ interregional interfaces
The Department of Energy says its national transmission study provides a framework for utilities and grid planners to consider bolstering connections between regions.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 3, 2024 -
Pathways Initiative proposes regional organization to oversee Western power markets
“This organization can evolve to offer the full range of [regional transmission organization] services,” Brian Turner, an Advanced Energy United director, said.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 2, 2024 -
FERC approves CAISO interconnection reform plan
The federal agency dismissed concerns from renewable energy trade groups and others that a provision in the new rules will allow utilities to discriminate against project developers.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 2, 2024 -
Utility conferences to watch in 2025
Start planning for 2025’s biggest power sector events, which will cover the clean energy transition, the impact of the 2024 elections and more.
By Larry Pearl, Ethan Howland, Robert Walton, Diana DiGangi • Oct. 1, 2024 -
ERCOT, SPP and 3 US regions need ‘significant investment’ in new generating capacity: BofA
The U.S. will need an incremental 100 GW of effective capacity by 2035 to meet a 1.5% demand growth rate, according to BofA Global Research.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2024 -
2M customers still without power after Helene; some local grids must ‘be completely rebuilt’
Multiple utilities say they will need to completely rebuild, rather than repair, electric systems in the hardest-hit areas. Helene was the most destructive hurricane in Georgia Power’s history.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2024 -
Hitachi Energy to expand US transformer manufacturing capacity
The company promised $155 million to expand two facilities in Virginia and Pennsylvania as well as build a new factory in Mexico.
By Joelle Anselmo • Sept. 27, 2024 -
Millions without power after Hurricane Helene rocks Southeast
The storm struck Florida as a Category 4 and moved inland. More than 4 million customers lacked power Friday morning.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2024 -
Texas OKs Permian Basin reliability plan, option for state’s first 765-kV transmission lines
By 2038, oil and gas development could push Permian Basin demand to 26 GW, or about a third of the current summer demand in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas footprint.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2024