'Year of the grid': DER management takes center stage at DistribuTECH

The distributed energy revolution hinges on the development of new software platforms that can help utilities make sense of a deluge of grid data.  

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 29, 2018

New York regulators greenlight third CCA program

Five upstate municipalities will now make bulk purchases of electricity and natural gas for their residents and small businesses. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2018

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

Massachusetts chooses Northern Pass transmission project for clean energy goal

Eversource and Hydro-Québec will use the line to bring hydroelectricity from Canada to Massachusetts.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2018

Will the country's first mandatory residential demand charge slow the Massachusetts solar boom?

Opponents of the charge, approved as part of an Eversource rate case, say it could harm the growth of solar and other distributed energy resources by significantly increasing costs for customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 25, 2018

Delaware legislation aims to give leverage over controversial Artificial Island project

Arkansas lawmakers also pushed back against a transmission line built by Clean Line Energy Partners, asking Energy Secretary Rick Perry to withdraw the Energy Department's involvement. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2018

FERC finalizes emergency preparedness and reliability standards

The rules will help to analyze the impact of system events on the reliability of the bulk electric system, and determine the responsibilities of entities that support system restoration from blackstart resources.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2018

Getting to 'head-spinning' low prices for U.S. offshore wind

Projected additions to U.S. offshore wind capacity are expected to drive the emergence of the domestic support system the sector needs to drive prices closer to other generation options.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2018

Puerto Rico governor moves to privatize utility PREPA

The nation's largest public utility, long beset by underinvestment and mismanagement, has been under fire for its response to Hurricane Maria.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 23, 2018

FERC approves PennEast pipeline in 4-1 vote, Glick dissents

Pipeline owners aim to start construction this year, but still must obtain environmental permits from New Jersey, where local sentiment against the project remains strong. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 22, 2018

Pennsylvania to study changes to utility billing practice

Utility regulators have ordered additional study of a customer billing practice known as Supplier Consolidated Billing. The en banc hearing will explore if the practice is legal and what are the potential benefits.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 19, 2018

ISO-New England: Maintaining reliability will become challenging as gas dependence rises

All but a few of the fuel shortage scenarios considered in the grid operator's report anticipate load shedding and rolling blackouts due to gas demand and poor infrastructure. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 18, 2018

Florida Power & Light to use tax savings to pay for Irma damage

The utility says using tax savings to pay for $1.3 billion in storm damage allows it to avoid raising rates.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2018

There once was an energy storage system on Nantucket...

When the island's summer population swells, peak energy demand doubles. That's a recipe for disaster in a town dependent on tourism. But energy storage may be the answer.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2018

Why are the newest distribution system buzzwords 'hosting capacity analysis'?

To meet customer demand for distributed energy resources, utilities need to know what their systems can handle.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 17, 2018

Shuttered coal plant fixer-uppers for sale all over the U.S.

More than half of all coal plants are, or will soon be, shuttered. Collaboration and compromise by some are beginning to reveal ways to reclaim the sites for new purposes.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 16, 2018

Puerto Rico governor calls for DOJ probe after power equipment stockpile found

Federal officials reportedly raided a warehouse last weekend, finding nearly 3,000 pieces of electric equipment that could be used to restore power on the island. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 12, 2018

CPUC approves Diablo Canyon retirement, 15 EV pilots, storage RFO to replace gas

Regulators allowed Pacific Gas & Electric to recover $241 million to retire California's last nuclear plant and directed it to consider how batteries could replace three natural gas generators. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2018

California grid operator touts new reliability service at half the cost of competitor

Peak Reliability says it is unfazed by the move, and will continue to help clients deal with stagnant load and growing renewables.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2018

Dominion-SCANA proposal shows shareholder gains, few ratepayer benefits, analysts say

Dominion’s $14.6 billion purchase offer may be the only one on the table for the beleaguered South Carolina utility, but is it good enough to get across the finish line?

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 11, 2018

Ohio regulators approve AEP discount rate for Amazon data centers

The arrangement will provide Amazon subsidiary Vadata a 10-year discount for its data centers operating in Ohio.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 11, 2018

ISO-NE proposal would drive state-sponsored renewables into wholesale markets

The new rules are designed to help bring state-sponsored renewable energy into the region's Forward Capacity Market, while protecting competitive pricing mechanisms that enable the market to work.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 9, 2018

Texas PUC to hear Lubbock bid to join ERCOT; large manufacturers wary

Lubbock Power & Light says leaving the Southwest Power Pool for the Texas grid could save hundreds of millions needed to build new generation. But some customers are concerned about exit fees and other costs.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 9, 2018

Coal takes the lead in organized markets after cold snap, but dominance won't last long

Some coal plants have benefited from the cold weather as gas prices rise, but experts tell Utility Dive that doesn't change the underlying market dynamics. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 9, 2018

Texas PUC chair raises concerns over ERCOT independence

Transmission upgrades in Mexico could allow power from California to flow into Texas, DeAnn Walker warned, placing ERCOT under federal oversight.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 8, 2018

Virginia Sen. Kaine asks FERC to reconsider Mountain Valley, Atlantic Coast pipelines

The Democratic senator wants FERC to reconsider the controversial pipeline projects now that it has a full contingency of regulators. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2018