As extreme weather spurs billions in utility resilience spending, regulators struggle to value investments

A new study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows the value of resilience depends on too many factors to easily quantify and moves regulators back to human judgment.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2020

Electric grid challenges will grow if COVID-19 impacts extend into summer demand season: NERC

Deferred maintenance and refueling issues could lead to unplanned outages while increased penetration from distributed resources complicate system operations, according to a new assessment.

By Robert Walton • April 24, 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

ConEd COVID-19 cases grow past 350 as utilities forced to adjust pre-pandemic emergency plans

Consolidated Edison and other U.S. utilities had developed a pandemic operating plan years ago, but officials say flexibility has been a key to their response.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2020

84 GW US renewables+storage pipeline has developers anxious for market integration rules

Utilities and developers are adding renewables plus storage hybrids so fast and cost-effectively that regulators had to schedule a conference on paired technologies. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 23, 2020

Crashing oil prices, COVID-19 restrictions give boost to embattled Puerto Rico utility

Load reductions due to the pandemic have given the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority more room to maneuver, as it enters a critical period in determining the utility's future.

By Robert Walton • April 22, 2020

COVID-19 forces delay of 7 reliability standards, including cybersecurity supply chain protections

The three month delay in new vendor security requirements is unlikely to cause disruptions, but experts are wary of longer pauses on critical cybersecurity standards.

By Robert Walton • April 21, 2020

Colorado cooperative reaches $136.5M agreement to exit Tri-State service

Delta-Montrose Electric Association will terminate its membership in Tri-State Generation and Transmission on June 30, as other utilities continue their efforts to follow suit.

By Robert Walton • Updated July 1, 2020

'No existing playbook': COVID-19 forcing NV Energy, NYPA and other utilities to get creative

Utilities are adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic, from deferring infrastructure projects to transitioning different positions to 'work from home,' several executives said on a panel last week.

By Matthew Bandyk • April 13, 2020

Clearer picture of coronavirus-driven grid load declines emerges in US after weeks of lockdowns

Analysts say the COVID-19 pandemic could disrupt North American power markets for 18 months or more, potentially setting off a new wave of coal retirements. 

By Robert Walton • April 9, 2020

Utilities move to delay rate case proceedings during pandemic

In New York, regulators are approving deferrals from three to five months, extending how long utilities must wait to recover costs on their investments.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 8, 2020

New York becomes first state to establish renewables siting office in an effort to speed up deployment

Other states struggling to add clean energy resources will be watching how the new siting process unfolds.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2020

BlackRock, Morgan Stanley to utilities: Tackle climate-related risks or lose market value

Analyst research shows utilities that address climate-related physical and transition risks earn higher valuations from investors.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2020

Con Edison reaches 170 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths, as risks rise for utility workers

Daily numbers continue climbing for the utility whose workforce serves New York City, the area that faces the largest outbreak of the novel coronavirus. U.S. utility workers may be at risk of contracting the virus from continued customer interactions.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 3, 2020

A disappointing sequel: NETL's latest resilience report falls flat

Movie sequels often recycle the themes of the original. Unfortunately, the National Energy Technology Laboratory's second volume to its 2018 power grid resilience study is no different, the author writes. 

By Michael Goggin • April 3, 2020

Amid charging pilot developments, Virginia regulators to investigate EV grid impacts

The Virginia State Corporation Commission has opened a proceeding to consider ownership models for public chargers and issues surrounding EV charging rates and energy storage capabilities.

By Robert Walton • March 30, 2020

National Grid suspends pending rate increases in response to COVID-19

National Grid had electric and gas rate increases slated to go into effect April 1, but New York regulators have set those on hold as the economic impacts of the novel coronavirus continue to spread.

By Robert Walton • March 27, 2020

Colorado expedites Tri-State member exit charge case, as power supplier gets 'split decision' on FERC jurisdiction

The decision allows the Colorado PUC to determine fees required for La Plata Electric Association and United Energy to exit Tri-State Generation and Transmission's service.

By Robert Walton • March 27, 2020

Cheapest is not always best: Concentrated solar power could beat lower price PV with new market rules

With its zero-emissions mandate, California will need a diversity of renewable resources along with CSP, "particularly because of its long duration storage" potential, the state's Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild said.​

By Herman K. Trabish • March 26, 2020

Ameren Missouri supplier hit by ransomware attack amid growing concern for critical infrastructure

The utility says no confidential information was compromised in the breach. Security experts are increasingly concerned about a potential cyberattack on critical infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • March 25, 2020

Utilities beginning to see the load impacts of COVID-19 as economic shutdown widens

Demand for electricity is falling and experts say that could mean higher rates in some territories.

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2020

PG&E, SCE abandon big microgrid plans for temporary emergency measures as wildfire season nears

Regulators' push to implement a law requiring microgrid rollouts is being frustrated by the costs of traditional generation and clean energy complexities.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 23, 2020

FERC launches long-delayed revision of transmission incentives, bringing benefits into the equation

Chairman Neil Chatterjee wants to "keep the business of the commission going" while taking precautions given the spread of the novel coronavirus, potentially rushing a response from stakeholders.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 20, 2020

ComEd CEO: Exelon expects to have pandemic plan in place through the summer

The regulated utility subsidiaries are adjusting their plans to the specific characteristics of the coronavirus under the expectation that it could last a while.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 19, 2020

DOE nixes automatic confidentiality designations for utilities, seen by NGOs as potential boost for coal and nuclear

"You could see a pathway for DOE using this information to prohibit coal or nuclear plants from closing and limiting the public's ability to engage in that decision making process," a clean energy advocate said.

By Robert Walton • March 18, 2020

PJM over-forecasting costs consumers up to $4.4B for unneeded energy capacity: Report

The Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council funded a report that confirms the large price tag of the high reserve margin in PJM's forward capacity auction.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 17, 2020