Why utilities are more confident than ever about renewable energy growth

Concerns about integrating high levels of variable wind, solar and distributed generation are waning, Utility Dive's sector survey shows.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2017

CAISO: California curtailed 80 GWh of renewables in March

Further expanding the grid operator's western Energy Imbalance Market is one potential solution to the state's renewable energy oversupply.

By Robert Walton • April 24, 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

National Grid files to build 40 MWh storage project on Long Island

The utility filed with the NY Public Service Commission to lease land for Long Island energy storage project.

By Peter Maloney • April 24, 2017

Boulder carries on muni fight after rejecting Xcel settlement offers

The city determined this week to continue its fight to form a municipal electric utility. In a best-case scenario, that's still five years away.

By Robert Walton • April 21, 2017

The new all-of-the above: HECO looks to wind, solar and beyond for 100% renewables mandate

Hawaiian Electric Co.'s roadmap to a 100% renewables grid will rely on EVs and DERs alongside established central-station renewables.

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2017

DC Circuit: FERC must do better in explaining changes to transmission returns

The D.C. Circuit Court last week vacated a 2014 FERC order lowering the return on equity for transmission owners in ISO-New England. 

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2017

Advancing microgrid technology with engineering, innovation, and good will

Improved inverter design and distributed system-control technology increases microgrid energy output, allowing for expanded research in the field. 

April 19, 2017

Bruised by dual denials, what's next for Oncor and NextEra?

Both companies have seen two merger proposals denied in as many years, but analysts say their Texas two-step may not be over yet. 

By Robert Walton • April 17, 2017

Duke Energy to harden North Carolina's power system with $13B initiative

Upgrades will protect the system against outages, cyber- and physical attacks, while creating jobs and boosting renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • April 17, 2017

California PUC, Energy Commission to scrutinize future of retail choice

By 2050, 80% of California consumers could have some sort of alternative retail electric service, the CPUC and CEC said, prompting the agencies to hold a special en banc hearing May 19.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2017

Arizona-Mexico transmission tie could be complete by 2019

Unisource Energy and Hunt Power are developing the line, which will help ensure reliability in Nogales, Ariz.

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2017

Higher gas prices add to ISO-NE power costs in February

Gas was almost 7% more expensive this February than last, pushing average wholesale power prices above $28/MWh.

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2017

Why utilities say grid security is the most pressing sector issue of 2017

The successful hack of Ukraine's electric grid in late 2015 got the sector's attention, Utility Dive's recent survey shows.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 10, 2017

How New York is incentivizing utilities to interconnect DERs under REV

Regulators want to reward utilities for better performance on key tasks like DER interconnection — the question is how.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2017

Michigan regulators plan EV conference after utility withdraws 800-charger plan

Consumers Energy, car companies and charging station developers will work together this summer to devise a charging plan that works for both the utility and the private market. 

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2017

PacifiCorp long-term plan includes 3 GW of renewable energy

The six-state, $3.5 billion plan also predicts efficiency will offset 88% of forecasted demand growth over the next decade.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2017

Defying Trump, Supreme Court will continue with WOTUS case

President Trump's administration had asked the justices to put the case on hold as the Waters of the U.S. rule is reconsidered.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2017

National Grid proposes 1,200 MW Canada-New England transmission line

The Granite State Power Link would be a commercial project, not funded by National Grid ratepayers.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2017

Generators, business group file federal court petitions to halt Illinois nuclear supports

EPSA and a group of local citizens and businesses say the zero-emission credits would intrude on FERC's jurisdiction over wholesale power markets and have “a disruptive effect on energy auctions."

By Peter Maloney • April 4, 2017

Primer: Technology, consumer sentiment push utilities to new business models

The move to a cleaner, more distributed energy system is pushing wholesale changes to how utilities make money and plan their power grids. 

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2017

Pushed by REV, ConEd tests new utility business models in New York

The nation's largest city is the proving ground for a slate of REV pilot projects aimed at modernizing operations and diversifying revenue.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2017

The top 5 states for utility grid modernization and business model reform

From expansive sector redesigns to step-by-step DER dockets, states across the nation are rethinking the grid and how utilities make money off it. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 3, 2017

Boulder's new muni plan would allow Xcel to retain distribution control during transition

Boulder, Colo., has been trying to form a municipal utility for five years. Its newest plan would sidestep some of the more controversial aspects of past proposals.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2017

PJM: Gas plant buildout, coal retirements don't threaten reliability

A new report from the grid operator noted that more reliance on any single generation resource introduces resilience risks not accounted for under traditional reliability standards.

By Peter Maloney • March 31, 2017

How California lawmakers plan to align renewable generation with power demand

Two new bills present distinct approaches to align wind and solar output with the state's electricity load.  

By Herman K. Trabish • March 30, 2017