Transmission & Distribution: Page 33
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Gov. Hochul announces $500M offshore wind investment, electrification push for New York
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul used her 2022 State of the State address to announce New York's third offshore wind procurement, new energy storage targets and accelerated electrification initiatives.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 6, 2022 -
South Carolina grid 'adequately prepared' for winter, but smaller utilities have work to do: report
The state's largest utilities do a good job of managing winter risk, but smaller utilities are falling behind on system hardening and asset inspections, according to the state's Office of Regulatory Staff.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 6, 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 -
US East Coast begins 2022 with winter storm, almost 1M outages
Dominion Energy was hit hardest in the Southeast, with 390,000 customers without power in Virginia at the storm's peak on Monday.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2022 -
Deep Dive
Duke, SCE, other grid modernization proposals faced big cost questions, more regulator scrutiny in 2021
Regulators facing new climate and reliability urgencies and nearly 500 grid modernization proposals are more often favoring phased advances toward a smarter system.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 4, 2022 -
DOE announces technical assistance for 21 states on grid modernization, energy transition challenges
The modeling and research program follows other assistance for customers and small businesses that the U.S. Department of Energy announced this month.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 23, 2021 -
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 -
'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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 Dive
Will 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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Deep Dive
New 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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Opinion
Improving 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 -
Sponsored by Schneider Electric
Q&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 -
Sponsored by Wärtsilä
Trends 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 -
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