Heat wave sets new power demand records across Arizona

Temperatures of nearly 120°F pushed demand to new heights at three Arizona utilities, while California power providers called for customer cutbacks. 

By Peter Maloney • June 26, 2017

Duke wants extension of contracts underpinning Atlantic Coast Pipeline

Three utilities have asked North Carolina regulators to extend the deadline on gas purchase agreements which are set to expire, and necessary to develop a 600-mile regional pipeline.

By Robert Walton • June 23, 2017

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

NERC: Cyberattacks a top risk for grids

There were no successful grid cyberattacks on the bulk power system last year, but that doesn't mean the threat is weak, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

By Robert Walton • June 23, 2017

Stop, collaborate and listen: California stakeholders want to open electric system communications

The state's utilities, DER providers and CAISO outline a new plan that would streamline communications between transmission and distribution operators and DER developers. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 22, 2017

Utilities in hot water: Realizing the benefits of grid-integrated water heaters

Water heaters offer storage capabilities at a fraction of the cost of batteries. The challenge is getting everyone a piece of the returns. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 20, 2017

Baltimore Gas & Electric files 5-year grid modernization plan

The utility will lean on its advanced metering infrastructure to examine customer behavior, optimize the distribution system and study system load growth.

By Robert Walton • June 20, 2017

SMUD's holistic DER planning process could set new standard for utilities

Even solar advocates are praising the distributed resource planning done by Sacramento's municipal utility.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 16, 2017

CAISO finalizes proposed storage, DR rules

The goal is to lower barriers to energy storage and distributed resources participating in the California ISO market.

By Robert Walton • June 16, 2017

Utility CEOs to DOE: Hands off state energy policies, grid planning

Members of EEI's board say they want the DOE's baseload review to embrace the power mix transformation, not inhibit it.

By Gavin Bade • June 15, 2017

A new study defends ARPA-E in wake of Trump's proposed budget cuts

A congressionally mandated study found the Department of Energy's APRA-E secured $1.25 billion in private funding and 74 patents so far. 

By Peter Maloney • June 15, 2017

Massachusetts bill would compel utilities to consider non-wires alternatives

Under H. 1725, utilities would have to submit any plans for system upgrades to a newly created Grid Modernization Board, which would evaluate the viability of NWAs.

By Robert Walton , Gavin Bade • June 14, 2017

Report: Malware traced to Ukraine grid attacks could be used to target US grid

Cybersecurity firm Dragos says Russian hackers developed the malware tied to a 2015 attack that caused widespread blackouts in Ukraine, and it could be used to target the U.S. grid.

By Robert Walton • June 14, 2017

Will California's 100% renewables goal survive the political process?

With current clean energy goals in sight, liberal lawmakers are pushing the state to ratchet up its ambitions. But utility companies could prove a powerful roadblock.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 14, 2017

PJM: Pennsylvania, New Jersey would shoulder majority of Artificial Island costs

The analyses follows PJM's decision to suspend the project last year following worries from the governors of Maryland and Delaware that their residents would unfairly assume the majority of costs.  

By Robert Walton • June 13, 2017

Study: Texas residential rates cheaper in some competitive areas compared to non-competitive zones

A report from the Center for Energy Studies finds retail residential rates are approaching the wholesale price, indicating utilities are working to cut costs.

By Robert Walton • June 12, 2017

Pennsylvania sees number of retail choice customers drop in May

PECO reported a decline of more than 4,000 customers taking competitive energy supply in the past two months.

By Robert Walton • June 9, 2017

CAISO considers making Aliso Canyon gas reliability measures permanent

A straw proposal indicates the grid operator remains concerned about reliability risks caused by a leak at the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2017

PSEG CEO Izzo calls for efficiency, rate reform and nuclear supports in New Jersey

The utility is pushing regulatory reforms to help it invest in energy efficiency and recover fixed costs while beginning to "educate" stakeholders about nuclear subsidies.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2017

Los Angeles muni to join Western EIM in 2019

One of the largest U.S. municipal utilities, The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power serves more than 4 million customers. 

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2017

Is renewable energy threatening power reliability?

In Texas and elsewhere, reliability concerns are merely a "Chicken Little argument" fossil generators use to advance their financial interests, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2017

Canadian power marketer to be first international member of Western EIM

Mexico's grid operator also said last year it is considering linking Baja California Norte with the voluntary power market.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2017

More than 30 states embrace grid modernization, new policy tracker finds

A new quarterly report from the folks who brought you "50 States of Solar" aims to chronicle grid modernization initiatives across the U.S.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 31, 2017

New Ohio bill would revamp state power market for full deregulation

HB 247 would require regulated utilities to divest their generation assets and put an end to lengthy procedings on utility resource planning. 

By Gavin Bade , Peter Maloney • May 30, 2017

Senators defend state energy policies in confirmation hearing for FERC, DOE nominees

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle told Trump energy nominees that the federal government should not preempt state policies on nuclear and renewables in a wide-ranging hearing Thursday morning.

By Gavin Bade • May 26, 2017

Senate committee set to grill Trump's FERC nominees

The Thursday hearing is likely to feature questions on integrating state goals like RPS policies and nuclear subsidies into wholesale power markets. 

By Robert Walton • May 24, 2017