New England grid prepared for ‘typical’ summer, but ‘worst-case’ weather could be a challenge

“With the possibility of more extreme and less predictable weather conditions, there is an increased potential for system operators to activate emergency procedures,” ISO New England said.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2024

Pathways Initiative advances plan for independent power market organization for the West

The initiative aims to develop a plan for a new regional organization to oversee wholesale power markets by the end of the year.

By Ethan Howland • June 3, 2024

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

Beneath the surface: Exploring the intricacies of underground utility projects

The construction of underground utilities is managed successfully by identifying key risks early.

By Thomas Konopka, Anna Sleeter and Wally Petrovic • June 3, 2024

States, renewable energy groups press FERC to approve ISO-NE long-range transmission process

But LS Power, NextEra and others said the proposed competitive solicitation process would limit nonincumbent transmission projects.

By Ethan Howland • May 31, 2024

US data center electricity demand could double by 2030, driven by artificial intelligence: EPRI

Internet queries utilizing artificial intelligence require about 10x the electricity of traditional internet searches, according to analysis by the Electric Power Research Institute.

By Robert Walton • May 30, 2024

21 states, DOE launch initiative to spur grid-enhancing technologies, advanced conductors

“We're focusing on squeezing every amp that we possibly can out of the existing lines that we have,” Dominion Energy’s Matthew Gardner said at a White House forum.

By Ethan Howland • May 29, 2024

Portland General Electric joins Allete, Grid United on $3.2B North Plains transmission project

"Additional transmission capacity will provide access to renewable energy over a wider and diverse geographic area, helping to deliver economic and environmental benefits," said PGE President and CEO Maria Pope.

By Robert Walton • May 29, 2024

CAISO board approves $6.1B transmission plan with focus on access to clean energy

The grid operator will adopt heightened oversight of two major offshore wind transmission projects to make sure their development remains needed.

By Ethan Howland • May 24, 2024

National Grid plans 5-year, $35B investment in New York, Massachusetts

Projects includes more than 70 transmission system upgrades in upstate New York, and smart meter and grid hardening investments in Massachusetts.

By Robert Walton • May 23, 2024

Sens. Manchin, Barrasso craft bipartisan permitting reform bill amid growing load forecasts

American Electric Power has inquiries from potential customers to add 108 GW across its service territory, Ben Fowke, interim president and CEO, said at a Senate hearing Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • May 22, 2024

SoCalEd-Lotus Infrastructure consortium wins $503M CAISO transmission project

A NextEra Energy Transmission subsidiary, Horizon West Transmission, also recently won two CAISO projects in Southern California totaling about $2.6 billion.

By Ethan Howland • May 21, 2024

‘Still a lot to do’ to improve grid interconnection after FERC Order 2023: Cleanpower panel

Interconnection and transmission planning must become more proactive and less “reactionary,” NYISO Senior Vice President for System and Resource Planning Zach Smith and other panelists said.

By Brian Martucci • May 20, 2024

Grid modernization plans must consider quantum computing, AI, other innovations

Any policy related to upgrading the grid must include a focus on using new technologies to make the most of these significant investments.

By Christina Hayes and Allison Schwartz • May 20, 2024

ISO-NE proposes transmission planning changes to boost states’ ability to reach environmental goals

Electricity demand in New England is growing and the region’s grid operator is considering a host of changes, including to its capacity market, transmission planning and how it will deal with potential energy shortages.

By Robert Walton • May 17, 2024

FERC transmission rule likely boon to consumers, but Christie dissent is a blueprint for litigation, analysts say

The rule also gives state utility regulators an “unprecedented role” in transmission planning and cost allocation, said Christina Hayes, executive director of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid.

By Ethan Howland • May 16, 2024

FERC Order 1920 is a big step forward on transmission planning, but it is not the end game

The rule provides the raw ingredients to transmission providers and states, FERC Commissioner Allison Clements writes, but the grid of the future will not be built if these entities do not come together and start cooking.

By Allison Clements • May 15, 2024

AEP Ohio proposes data center, crypto financial requirements amid 30 GW in service inquiries

The proposed tariffs aim to ensure data centers and cryptocurrency operations pay for their share of any transmission buildout needed to serve them in the PJM Interconnection. 

By Ethan Howland • May 15, 2024

FERC issues landmark transmission planning, cost allocation rule, with dissent over state roles

In a 2-1 vote, the agency’s commissioners disagreed on the role states will have under the rule.

By Ethan Howland • May 14, 2024

Clean energy groups praise FERC transmission order but want more reform

American Clean Power Association Vice President of Markets and Transmission Carrie Zalewski called the rule “an important milestone” but added that it “cannot be the finish line.”

By Diana DiGangi • May 14, 2024

FERC revises its backstop permitting rules for national interest transmission corridor projects

The agency’s new rule could affect power line projects in 10 transmission corridors the Department of Energy proposed last week.

By Ethan Howland • May 14, 2024

Supply chain constraints may force new approach to offshore wind transmission: GE Vernova, others

The reduced availability of appropriate AC cables and equipment means constructing a mesh-style transmission network off the East Coast may be infeasible, according to a DNV transmission consultant.

By Emma Penrod • May 14, 2024

FERC issues watershed transmission planning, cost allocation reform rule on 2-1 vote

The agency also approved changes to its backstop siting authority for power lines built in national interest electric transmission corridors.

By Ethan Howland • May 13, 2024

The future of work in the energy and utilities industry

Utility companies must understand how automation is reshaping their labor market and help their teams adapt.

May 13, 2024

PJM, MISO to study transmission upgrades to bolster interregional power flows

The grid operators plan to finish their interregional transfer capability study early next year.

By Ethan Howland • May 10, 2024

California PUC OKs $24/month fixed charge for IOUs with eye to equity, electrification

The fee, which comes with discounts for certain customers, “is a modest step towards making equitable electrification a reality,” Sierra Club Staff Attorney Rose Monahan said.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2024