Brattle: Wider electrification key to averting both climate change and utility death spiral

Tapping into power demand from EVs and electrified heating can help the utility industry thrive as it pushes the economy toward deep decarbonization, the consultancy says. 

By Peter Maloney • May 24, 2017

Minnesota energy omnibus bill clears legislature

The bill now awaits the signature of Gov. Mark Dayton (D), who already vetoed a version of this bill earlier this month. 

By Robert Walton • May 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

Power & Gas Index: Wholesale electricity and natural gas price trends across the US

The Utility Dive Power & Gas Index, updated monthly, highlights the close relationship between electricity and gas markets in the US.

By Robert Walton • May 22, 2017

Missouri regulators approve KCP&L rate hike, new 'inclining block' structure

Kansas City Power & Light will implement a new, "inclining block” rate system that many say will help boost the economics of efficiency upgrades and rooftop solar.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2017

Texas regulators unlikely to reverse rejection of NextEra-Oncor deal

Regulators say they remain "unconvinced" by NextEra's pointed appeal filing, but they will wait to decide on a rehearing until next month. 

By Gavin Bade , Robert Walton • May 19, 2017

BPA turns to non-wire alternatives in cancellation of transmission project

Instead of constructing an 80-mile, 500-kV transmission line, the federal power administration will look to DSM and grid technologies like storage.

By Robert Walton • May 19, 2017

SoCal Edison should go back to the drawing board on its grid modernization proposal

Officials from two top solar groups argue the utility is taking the wrong approach in its pending rate case

By Ed Smeloff, Sean Gallagher • May 18, 2017

The SoCal Edison rate case: A canary in the coal mine for DER policy debates

SCE wants $2.1 billion to upgrade its grid for distributed resources — a request that's raised ire from consumer advocates and DER providers alike.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 18, 2017

EEI President Kuhn: How smarter energy infrastructure can power America

The head of the trade group for U.S. IOUs outlines five policy reforms for a cleaner, more resilient grid in this guest post

By Thomas Kuhn • May 17, 2017

Duke's truck-stop electrification project could mean big fuel savings

By allowing up to two dozen rigs to plug in at a North Carolina truck stop, Duke's project will help save 25,000 gallons fuel annually.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2017

CAISO: Wholesale power prices dropped 9% in 2016 to $34/MWh average

The 2016 power price decline foreshadows an ongoing bout of negative pricing events experienced by the California grid operator this spring.  

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 12, 2017

Trump's cybersecurity executive order calls for power grid assessment

The order requires Homeland Security and Energy to submit reports on the impact of cyberattacks on the power grid.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 12, 2017

Prognosis negative: How California is dealing with below-zero power market prices

A rainy winter and growing solar have CAISO prices going negative and renewable energy going to waste — what should policymakers do?

By Herman K. Trabish • May 11, 2017

Software upgrade to old sodium battery marks shift in AEP's storage strategy

Tapping into a new revenue stream will help the utility to incorporate storage into its long-term plans. 

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2017

NPCC: Northeast has sufficient power supplies to meet demand this summer

Even extreme weather wouldn't amount to enough power demand to cause reliability problems, the Northeast Power Coordinating Council said in its seasonal assessment. 

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2017

Itron acquires demand response provider Comverge for $100M

Integration with the AMI giant will allow Comverge to develop a "more compelling offer that leverages data and analytics to optimize the management of distributed energy resources."

By Gavin Bade • May 8, 2017

Report: Wind energy sets 8-year record as installations swell in Q1

A new report released by the American Wind Energy Association says the industry "switched on more megawatts in the first quarter than in the last three quarters."

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 8, 2017

Myth-busting the 2017 electric utility customer

What would you do differently if electricity became THE ultimate object of desire, with your customers lining up to pay 24,000x its cost for power?

May 4, 2017

Despite high-profile denials, power sector M&A strength to continue

As utility companies grow larger, some see a new paradigm emerging for power sector consolidation. 

By Peter Maloney • May 1, 2017

Arizona's SRP to join Western Energy Imbalance Market

The public power utility expects to save $4 million annually by joining the growing market.

By Robert Walton • May 1, 2017

New Jersey officials say PennEast gas pipeline application is incomplete

Developers of a $1 billion gas pipeline proposed for Pennsylvania and New Jersey will have one month to update the application.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2017

Southern Cross transmission builders file for approval in Mississippi

The 2,000 MW transmission project would move Texas wind to markets in the southeastern U.S. 

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2017

Pepco proposes off-peak charging rate for EV drivers in DC

The program would build on lessons in neighboring Maryland, where the utility found drivers readily changed charging behavior in reaction to rate design. 

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2017

California utilities propose bill charges for community aggregation customers

As more customers take service through Community Choice Aggregation programs, California utilities say unanticipated costs are being passed on to those who remain with the standard service.

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2017

Drones-as-a-service: These days, utilities are outsourcing everything

AES spent years developing its own program, but as is often the case with newfangled technologies, found a partnership was the fastest way to scale up value.   

By Robert Walton • April 26, 2017