Transmission & Distribution: Page 6


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    PJM capacity auction to lead to double-digit rate hikes for Exelon utilities: CFO

    When asked about possible power plant ownership, Exelon President and CEO Calvin Butler said, “We're working with our [state utility] commissions on all types of scenarios.”

    By Aug. 2, 2024
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    Vitaly Edush via Getty Images
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    FERC calls SPP Western market proposal ‘deficient,’ requests more info

    Southwest Power Pool is developing a response to questions about its Western day-ahead electricity market, including rules around transmission capacity availability and resource aggregations.

    By Aug. 2, 2024
  • Utility maintenance trucks drive past downed power lines on their way to make repairs August 15, 2004 in Punta Gorda, Florida. Explore the Trendline
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    Mario Tama / Staff via Getty Images
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    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
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    The image by FirstEnergy is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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    FirstEnergy seeks alternatives to PJM capacity market to bolster power supply

    “I'd call yesterday's [PJM auction results] the canary in the coal mine, and the canary didn't make it,” Brian Tierney, FirstEnergy president and CEO, said.

    By Aug. 1, 2024
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    Gerville via Getty Images
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    AEP data center and other commercial sales soar 12.4% in Q2

    American Electric Power’s peak load could jump 43% by the end of this decade, to 50 GW, based on current data center commitments, according to the company.

    By Aug. 1, 2024
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    Getty Images
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    New York could see electricity demand grow 90% by 2042: ISO

    Long-duration batteries, small modular nuclear reactors, hydrogen and fuel cells may be needed to replace 25 GW of fossil generation by 2040.

    By Aug. 1, 2024
  • Mutual assistance crews working with CenterPoint Energy work to restore power around Houston, Texas, following Hurricane Beryl.
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    Danielle Villasana/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Texas weighs clawing back $800M CenterPoint spent on unused generation

    Hurricane Beryl impacts could contribute to a 2% rise in customer bills for 15 years, the utility said Tuesday.

    By July 31, 2024
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    wolv via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Steering gas utilities toward calmer seas with an eye to the electric experience

    State regulators need to begin assembling their tools to manage the impact of the energy transition — on both gas customers and the electric grid — before crises in affordability and reliability are upon us.

    By Sarah Steinberg and Brad Cebulko • July 30, 2024
  • A helicopter hovers over transmission lines hung on three pylons.
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    The image by brewbooks is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    55 miles of high-voltage transmission lines added in 2023 as US buildout slows: report

    Despite the slowdown, utilities spent more than $25 billion on transmission last year, mainly on lower-voltage projects, up from about $20 billion in 2013, according to Grid Strategies.

    By July 30, 2024
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    Permission granted by BGE
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    Sponsored by Hitachi Energy

    Helping keep the heat on in rural Maryland

    Case study: BGE advanced clean energy goals and met state requirements with battery energy storage.

    July 29, 2024
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    kflGALORE via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Competition may delay needed transmission, increasing costs

    The process FERC and individual states set through future reforms will be determinative in whether there is added time to an already long transmission development timeline.

    By Benjamin Dierker • July 25, 2024
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    Siripak Pason via Getty Images
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    DOE awards $371M to boost permitting, local benefits from transmission projects

    Most of the grants support projects that give communities tangible benefits from transmission development, said Maria Robinson, director of the Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office.

    By July 24, 2024
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    The image by Jakec is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    AEP, Exelon oppose Talen-Amazon interconnection pact to protect rate base growth potential: Constellation

    Exelon’s Commonwealth Edison stands to add up to $5 billion to its rate base by building transmission infrastructure to serve planned data centers in Illinois, according to Constellation Energy.

    By July 24, 2024
  • Pylons carrying electric wires over an agricultural field with blue sky and fluffy, white clouds in the background.
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    Bilanol via Getty Images
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    Utility commissioners from 14 states, DC, say FERC transmission rule will lower energy costs

    The support comes after utility commissions from Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia challenged the agency’s rule in court, partly because they say it usurps state authority.

    By July 24, 2024
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    Anna Rose Layden via Getty Images
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    Bipartisan energy permitting bill ups FERC transmission siting authority, requires interregional planning

    The Senate bill released Monday could guide the framework for action on permitting reform, which may not come until next year, according to observers.

    By July 23, 2024
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    "sunset2" by Barbara Eckstein is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Opinion

    FERC’s transmission rule will boost grid reliability and affordability without usurping state authority

    “We represent states with diverse energy goals, but we are all satisfied FERC’s new planning rule will produce beneficial and fair outcomes for our residents and businesses,” five utility commissioners write.

    By Andrew French, Joseph Sullivan, Ann Rendahl, Gabriel Aguilera and Davante Lewis • July 23, 2024
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    narvikk via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Innovative solutions emerge to reduce 2.5-TW US clean energy interconnection backlog

    California’s project scoring criteria, the Texas connect and manage option and SPP’s work to link system planning with the interconnection process across its multistate region could speed the clean energy expansion.

    By July 22, 2024
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    Permission granted by Kraken
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    Sponsored by Kraken

    What it means to transform an energy business

    As an increasing number of customers adopt distributed energy resources into their homes – such as solar panels, EV chargers, or home batteries – consumer expectations and market dynamics are changing in tandem.

    By Anja Langer-Jacquin – VP Client Success and Account Management, Kraken • July 22, 2024
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    Michael Valdez via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Technosylva

    Forecasting the unprecedented

    For a risk manager at an electric utility, it's crucial to recognize that the threat of catastrophic wildfires is pervasive and exists almost everywhere.

    By Pavel Grechanuk, Senior Data Scientist, Technosylva • July 22, 2024
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    Zview via Getty Images
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    States, clean energy groups, others appeal FERC transmission planning rule

    A lottery will be held to determine which court will handle the appeals to the agency’s Order 1920.

    By July 19, 2024
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    zhengzaishuru via Getty Images
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    Duke, Exelon, others urge FERC to toss ‘show cause’ order on utility self-funding interconnection upgrades

    FERC’s order to major grid operators that they show why their rules on who can pay for network upgrades is based on unconstitutional premises, Xcel Energy and other utility companies said.

    By July 17, 2024
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    Supreme Court’s Chevron ruling creates power sector uncertainty: Moody’s

    “The lack of clarity on future EPA mandates increases uncertainty and makes it more difficult for power companies to determine their most appropriate and cost-effective generation mix,” Moody’s said.

    By July 12, 2024
  • A transmission line tower and wind turbines in Illinois.
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    Allkindza via Getty Images
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    FERC approves ISO New England’s long-range transmission planning process

    Regulators determined the grid operator’s new long-term approach to transmission development “supplements” the existing regional transmission planning processes approved under FERC Order 1000.

    By July 12, 2024
  • High voltage transmission lines in Nevada's desert.
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    Janis Janums via Getty Images
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    DC Circuit vacates FERC Western refund decisions, rejects Duke challenge to network upgrade orders

    In separate decisions, PacifiCorp and other power sellers won their case against FERC refund orders stemming from a 2020 Western heat wave while Duke was found liable for network upgrade costs for a proposed solar project.

    By July 10, 2024
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    halbergman via Getty Images
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    10 Northeastern states agree to collaborate on interregional transmission development

    The memorandum of understanding sets a framework for planning “robust interregional transmission infrastructure” but specifies each state is responsible for its own costs.

    By July 10, 2024
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    Vitaly Edush via Getty Images
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    FERC approves capacity solicitation plan for $2.4B RioSol transmission project

    Southwestern Power Group plans to launch a solicitation for capacity on the 1.6-GW project between New Mexico and Arizona late this year.

    By July 9, 2024