Transmission & Distribution: Page 50
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PG&E 'failed on so many levels' in executing mass power shutoff, CPUC tells utility execs
"More resiliency will not and should never translate to Californians being willing to put up with inadequate execution of measures that are supposed to keep them safe," the head utility regulator said on Friday.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2019 -
Deep Dive
EV charging promises a demand response bonanza for utilities, if they can handle it
Aggregated flexible load of high EV penetrations will be lucrative in demand response markets, but for now smaller EV demand gives utilities management practice.
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 18, 2019 -
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 -
New York adopts utility-ESCO cybersecurity standards, rejects insurance requirements
Regulators established minimum requirements for third parties to access customer data through utility IT systems, but rejected a proposal to require a $5 million insurance policy for damages that could arise from a cybersecurity breach.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2019 -
Michigan joins spate of state grid modernization initiatives
The MI Power Grid program will focus on three areas: customer engagement, integrating emerging technologies, and optimizing grid performance and investments.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2019 -
PG&E power shutoff 'unacceptable': California calls for refunds, investigation and corrective action
The utility is defending the shutoff that impacted 2 million people last week, saying it "made that decision to keep customers and communities safe."
By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2019 -
Opinion
Clean Peaks & Polar Vortexes: Aligning climate and reliability goals in an extreme weather world
If states do not align digitization, decentralization and decarbonization policies with a fourth dimension of diversification, industry may need to take unprecedented action, the authors write.
By Brian Evans-Mongeon, Dan Kopin and Lon Huber • Oct. 14, 2019 -
Getty
FERC cybersecurity report identifies 'potential compliance infractions'
The report includes recommendations to help the bulk power system enhance compliance with mandatory reliability standards for critical infrastructure and to improve the overall cybersecurity of an increasingly distributed electric grid.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2019 -
Wikimedia Commons
Mass shutoffs to remain a reality for PG&E as utility calls long-term DER solutions 'speculation'
The utility says its Public Safety Power Shutoff program is already "granular," and larger system improvements will take years.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2019 -
Opinion
Resilient RPS: New Orleans' unique challenges require new solutions
Ongoing shut-offs in the Bay Area are an ominous warning that local, distributed resources are a necessary part of a climate resilient future, the authors write.
By Karl R. Rábago & Thad Culley • Oct. 11, 2019 -
Colorado authorizes transfer of Xcel assets to Boulder, boosting city's municipalization efforts
It's a major step forward, but officials say much work remains, and voters will still have the final say.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2019 -
National Grid
There once was a 48 MWh Tesla battery on Nantucket, which saved National Grid $120M in its budget
Pairing the eight-hour battery system with a 15 MW diesel generator, the utility avoided nearly $200 million in permitting and construction costs for an undersea transmission cable.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 10, 2019 -
Powerless: PG&E loses exclusive control of bankruptcy, shuts off power to 800K
On Wednesday, high winds forced the massive outage to reduce fire risks, while a bankruptcy judge threw the company's future into uncertainty.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 10, 2019 -
Wikimedia Commons
NIPSCO to replace coal with 2.3 GW of solar, storage in latest RFP
The investor-owned utility is leading a rapid transition away from its aging coal assets through bids for more economic resources.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 9, 2019 -
NextEra enters the picture as Jacksonville utility targets at least $6.8B in sale
Some 16 bidders responded to JEA's invitation to negotiate, with nine making it through the first round of consideration.
By Robert Walton • Updated Oct. 15, 2019 -
Supreme Court to take on Atlantic Coast Pipeline appeal
The Trump administration disputed a lower court's ruling to reject a Forest Service permit for the pipeline, and the appeal could have implications for other pipelines crossing the federally-protected Appalachian Trail.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 7, 2019 -
PG&E announces $34.4B in debt financing heading into 2nd round of exclusivity fight
On Monday, Judge Dennis Montali will hear arguments from creditors who want to propose their own plan.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2019 -
FERC rejects Tri-State's proposed tariffs, stymying 1st effort at federal regulation
Environmental groups say the transmission and generation cooperative is trying to "shop around for regulators," while Tri-State maintains it is seeking more stable rates for its customers.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2019 -
Wikimedia Commons
PG&E admits fault in sparking large 2019 wildfires, judge demands 'precise details' for 3
The utility told a court this week that its equipment may have played a role in sparking nine fires, three of which were caused by previous problem areas.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 3, 2019 -
ERCOT weathers steamy August, but could Texas become a winter-peaking system?
Electrifying home heating would turn Texas from a summer to winter peaking system, requiring changes in generator maintenance schedules and updates to transmission cost allocations, a report found.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 3, 2019 -
How did Dominion shave $300M off its Virginia grid modernization plan?
Virginia regulators in January rejected the utility's previous proposal, concluding it lacked sufficient benefits to customers, but the latest plan pares hundreds of millions from the final bill.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2019 -
FERC approves CAISO ability to procure out-of-market, Glick warns of 'unbounded authority'
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will allow the California grid operator greater discretion in contracting for out-of-market resources.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2019 -
Elizabeth Regan, Industry Dive/Utility Dive
Shorthanded FERC allows New England capacity auction results to stand
The commissioners said they would have upheld the recent auction results if they had quorum. Meanwhile, the White House tapped FERC general counsel James Danly to fill one of FERC's two open seats.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2019 -
California regulators launch investigation into PG&E's reorganization plan
The California Public Utilities Commission opened a formal proceeding to consider "ratemaking and other implications" of Pacific Gas & Electric's plan to extricate itself from bankruptcy.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2019 -
US electric grid more vulnerable to cyberattacks as DERs increase potential targets, GAO finds
A report recommends federal regulators analyze the potential risk of a "coordinated cyberattack on geographically distributed targets" across the nation's electric grid.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2019 -
Demand response top focus as Minnesota regulators adopt Xcel performance metrics
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission proposed more metrics to align the utility's generation with load in a transition from traditional cost-of-service ratemaking.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2019
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