Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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Satisfying utility customers is getting much harder. AI is helping, despite data challenges
Utilities are leveraging algorithms and machine learning in various ways, ranging from mundane to ambitious, to improve the customer experience.
Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 15, 2019 -
How does AI improve grid performance? No one fully understands and that's limiting its use
"For 75% of what utilities are doing, outside of maybe forecasting or managing capacity, AI is at the infancy stage and there is no real use case," a data management specialist said.
Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 14, 2019 -
From EV integration to wildfire prevention, utilities accelerate AI use to drive efficiencies, profits
Billions of internet-connected devices interact with the power grid right now, and experts say utilities will need smarter solutions.
Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2019 -
In the 'cat and mouse game' of utility cyberattacks, AI and machine learning show promise, limits
"There is so much low hanging fruit in utility system challenges that can be addressed by advanced data analytic strategies that AI and machine learning are not the place to start," a cybersecurity expert said.
Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 07, 2019 -
US power grid attack points surge with proliferating DERs: A hacker 'will eventually get in'
Critical infrastructure protection standards are essential — but they're also just a starting point, say experts focused on maintaining a reliable electric grid.
Robert Walton • Nov. 04, 2019 -
As Dominion, others target 80-year nuclear plants, cybersecurity concerns complicate digital upgrades
Nuclear reactors need new digital controls as part of a push to avoid retirement, but cybersecurity concerns and high costs complicate the transition from analog.
Matthew Bandyk • Nov. 04, 2019 -
California may be a climate leader, but it could be a century behind on its carbon goals: study
Renewables are driving carbon out of the power sector, but economic expansion has led to much less progress in reducing emissions from the transportation, building and industrial sectors, the nonprofit Next 10 found.
Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 29, 2019 -
Utilities' failure to plan for DER surge promises missed opportunities, increased costs, analysts say
Utilities can use skyrocketing customer-owned DER to balance rising penetrations of variable renewables on their systems, if they take on the big work of distribution system planning.
Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 24, 2019 -
EV charging promises a demand response bonanza for utilities, if they can handle it
Aggregated flexible load of high EV penetrations will be lucrative in demand response markets, but for now smaller EV demand gives utilities management practice.
Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 18, 2019 -
Electric revolution: How are cities overcoming EV range anxiety?
Cities need a wide-ranging strategy if they are to help more residents go electric in a way that is accessible and equitable, analysts say.
Chris Teale • Oct. 17, 2019 -
Electric revolution: As EV demand increases, can utilities and cities keep up?
Utilities are increasingly helping cities prepare for transportation electrification, while confronting increased power generation and delivery needs — often to areas already experiencing high demand.
Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2019 -
US wind, solar finance alternatives rise as sector rushes against looming tax credit expiration
Resources are being rapidly deployed ahead of the post-2020 phase-out, but political uncertainty makes turmoil unavoidable.
Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 15, 2019 -
Plugging In: Colleges seek partners to help reach energy goals
As more energy customers set goals for lower emissions, some institutions are tapping the private sector for technical expertise and financial support to advance sustainability.
Hallie Busta • Oct. 14, 2019 -
As CCAs take over utility customers, local renewable generation emerges as the next big growth driver
The demand for customer choice has the potential to quicken the power system's transition toward cheaper, cleaner electricity, and is moving beyond California.
Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 08, 2019 -
3 state commissions upending the way utilities do business
Oregon, Illinois and Hawaii regulators are disrupting the traditional utility cost-of-service model to bring more distributed energy resources online.
Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 02, 2019 -
California wants a carbon-free economy by 2045: Can floating offshore wind help it get there?
New technology could bring ocean wind when there is no sun to recharge depleted batteries.
Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 25, 2019 -
Northeastern utilities aim to 'crush and flatten' system peaks as DERs boost grid efficiency
DER providers and utilities have found shared market interests in New England, leading to cooperative BYOD programs that provide a range of benefits for customers and the power system.
Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2019 -
As utilities scramble to manage explosive DER growth, is power grid autonomy a solution?
The U.S. electric grid could face hundreds of millions of distributed resource deployments in the near future. But optimizing these data points may exceed human ability.
Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 11, 2019 -
The unknown costs of a 100% carbon-free future
State approaches to 100% clean energy vary, and while several costs remain unknown, some utility solutions are emerging.
Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 03, 2019 -
Rocky Mountain Power to operate largest US residential battery demand response project
Sonnen and the utility are partnering to build a virtual power plant at the new 600-unit apartment complex, with 12.6 MWh of energy capacity from a 5.2 MW solar array.
Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2019 -
PG&E may answer the billion dollar grid modernization question
A step-by-step regulatory process in California confronts the technical challenges and "obscene expenses" of distributed resource investments.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 26, 2019 -
What will electricity pricing look like in 2040?
Experts weigh in on their rate design predictions, ranging from complex rates and set-it, forget-it technologies to Netflix-like subscription plans.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2019 -
How grid operators forecast weather and output from renewables
RTOs and ISOs told Utility Dive their top challenges and initiatives when it comes to forecasting output from intermittent resources.
Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 19, 2019 -
Everyone loves a guaranteed discount: New financing approach drives community solar growth
Innovations are transforming community solar nationwide, but the technology is also booming in Florida where, despite utilities not using discounts to spur development, FPL is planning the world's largest community solar project.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 15, 2019 -
Renewables' variability sends wary utilities from traditional DR to DER and load flexibility
New technologies can expand utilities' options, allowing control of load with customer-sited resources to balance variable generation, but utilities say they need incentives.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019
