Big changes may be ahead for natural gas pipelines, if FERC does its job

Pipelines risk becoming costly stranded assets if they are built without a serious look at how they fit with decarbonization goals. But FERC refuses to grapple with these issues, the author writes.

By Jessica Bell • Sept. 16, 2020

SPP, MISO launch joint transmission study to address renewables interconnection challenges

Wind and solar advocates say addressing interconnection challenges along the seams of regional grids could allow development of thousands of megawatts of clean energy.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 15, 2020

Explore the 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

District of Columbia board advances required grid mod investment 4 years after Exelon-Pepco merger

The PowerPath DC Governance Board is overseeing a $21.5 million pilot project fund to modernize the city's energy grid.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2020

FERC rejection of NYISO renewables plan could prompt state-managed capacity market, advocates say

The commission's lone Democrat dissented, saying FERC has "perverted" the New York ISO's buyer-side market power mitigation rules to slow the state's clean energy transition.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 10, 2020

California scrambles to prevent rolling blackouts amid heat wave, with DOE assist on gas plant dispatch

The DOE's order allowing additional dispatch from three natural gas plants if needed served as a "wake-up call" to pursue alternatives to maintain reliability, according to one expert.

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 9, 2020

Utility sector wary of new security rules for distributed resources

Federal regulators are considering stricter security rules for smaller grid resources, but the utility sector says ample protections are in place.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2020

Taking Charge: Decisionmakers shaping the future of the power sector

Utility Dive turns to the CEO of Fluence to discuss the role of storage in high renewable energy integration, and more.

By Utility Dive Editors • Sept. 4, 2020

Massachusetts top court denies NextEra bid to block state's PPAs with Hydro-Québec

The PPAs are critical to the development of the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission project, which has faced challenges from independent power generators trying to protect their older assets in the region.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 4, 2020

FERC reversal on electric co-op exit fee jurisdiction could have broader rate implications, analysts say

The decision is a win for Tri-State in its ongoing dispute with cooperative members seeking to exit its service. But experts say FERC's determination that exit fees are a part of wholesale rates will likely impact future rate cases.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 3, 2020

FERC summit highlights reliability concerns for renewables + storage, but has California found a solution?

In a day-long FERC conference on renewables+storage hybrids earlier this summer, system operators focused on reliability while advocates described new opportunities.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 3, 2020

Tackling the biggest obstacle to new transmission — power providers' commitment phobia

The current business model that rests everything on a unit of measure — the kilowatt-hour — disincentivizes investments in transmission infrastructure because the surety of repayment is in question, the author writes.

By Mark A. Gabriel • Sept. 3, 2020

Cutting ties with ComEd could cost Chicago $8.8B, report finds

As a result of the hefty expected costs of separation, city leaders say creating Chicago's own municipal utility is likely not feasible.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 1, 2020

As utility collaboration with charging companies rises, emerging differences could impede EV growth

To accelerate EV charging infrastructure deployment, former competitors are working together, but new questions threaten to lead to dissension.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 31, 2020

Louisiana bears brunt of Hurricane Laura as utility COVID-19 protocols threaten restoration time

The utility sector launched a major restoration initiative, with tens of thousands of mutual aid workers helping to return power. Their efforts may be slowed by new COVID-19 protocols, however. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2020

Following botched utility response to Hurricane Isaias, New York governor proposes stricter penalties

"The laws are too protective of the utility companies," said Andrew Cuomo. He is proposing legislation to make it easier for the state to revoke a utility's operating certificate for recurring failures and increase financial penalties.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2020

Puerto Rico regulators set island on a 5-year course to procure renewables, storage

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority will need to procure at least 3.5 GW of solar and 1.36 GW of battery storage by 2025, but new gas-fired generation was rejected.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2020

Energy consulting groups value Southeast RTO potential at $384B savings by 2040

A seven-state RTO, including Florida, Tennessee and the Carolinas, would phase out coal generation and add more storage and renewables into the mix, according to analysis from Vibrant Clean Energy.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 25, 2020

Energy sector divided over transmission incentives for voluntary cybersecurity investments

Investor-owned utilities generally favor new incentives for security investments, but those paying transmission rates have concerns.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2020

Ensuring DER inclusion in capacity markets may require a rethink of resource adequacy

The growth of customer-owned resources is forcing system operators and aggregators to see their value as reliability tools and rethink the concept of resource adequacy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 24, 2020

Propelling the transition: Digitization bolsters utility rate cases, boosts drive to future-proof

The continuing automation and digitization of the power sector now enables utilities to better justify their spending plans and improve reliability as they prepare for new resources and electricity uses.

By Guy Burdick • Aug. 21, 2020

Following outrage over Hurricane Isaias response, Connecticut bill would put utilities on the hook for outage costs

The bipartisan legislation would alter rules that absolve electric distribution companies from liability for costs incurred by citizens during a power outage.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2020

Propelling the transition: New and better transmission is key to zero carbon; here's what's driving it

New technologies can make it easier to develop transmission and get more out of lines that already exist. But experts say electric utilities must be incentivized to use less-expensive solutions rather than older and pricier approaches.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 19, 2020

Pipeline infrastructure planning in the era of Black Lives Matter

Scrutiny of the siting of infrastructure projects is already increasing, and attention paid to disproportionate, adverse effects on communities of color likely will intensify, the authors write.

By Emily P. Mallen and J. Simone Jones • Aug. 18, 2020

Propelling the transition: Green hydrogen could be the final piece in a zero-emissions future

Green hydrogen beats renewables plus batteries at fueling heavy transport, serving industry and long duration storage — if it can be delivered affordably.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 17, 2020

After utility filing error, DC stakeholders call for dismissal of Pepco's multi-year rate proposal

The utility says it wants to freeze DC customer rates until 2022. But customer advocates say the plan “has been riddled with errors, missteps, and false information from the start" and could raise rates by up to $147 million. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2020