Opinion
The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders
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Meeting the challenge of FERC Order 881: Why open source matters for AAR implementation
With ambient-adjusted ratings compliance deadlines set for mid-July, TROLIE offers an open, vendor-neutral standard for the secure, efficient exchange of transmission line rating data.
Tory McKeag • June 13, 2025 -
Xiaoke Chen via Getty Images
Supercharging America’s power grid from the demand side
Microgrids with continuous AI-powered monitoring can significantly reduce the need for costly grid upgrades and lower the risk of power failures.
James Richmond • June 11, 2025 -
alacatr via Getty Images
A collaborative approach for meeting data center power needs and protecting ratepayers
By working together, sharing risk and embracing innovative solutions, we can foster long-term growth, strengthen the grid and ensure a more equitable distribution of costs and benefits.
Chris Crosby • June 10, 2025 -
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Baseload blind spot? Senate should unleash 24/7 clean-energy workhorses
As the U.S. Senate drafts a budget bill, it should value geothermal and hydropower appropriately to secure a stronger, more resilient and more dominant energy future.
Malcolm Woolf and Bryant Jones • June 9, 2025 -
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Large load tariffs have a problem. Clean transition tariffs are the solution.
These tariffs were designed to offer large loads access to renewable energy, but they could be expanded to baseload generation to remove at-risk generation from the utility’s books.
Ben Hertz-Shargel • June 5, 2025 -
Loradao via Getty Images
Data center growth and the imperative of economic discipline
Grid access must be treated as a scarce, priced product. That means building markets for interconnection capacity, avoiding socialized costs and ensuring that those who impose system costs bear them.
Terry Harvill and August Ankum • June 5, 2025 -
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Think small: Why America should bet on small modular reactors
To reach their potential, SMRs will require effective support across the entire development cycle — and a sustained commitment based on bipartisan, long-term political backing.
Robin Gaster • June 4, 2025 -
Polina-Petrenko via Getty Images
FERC skimps on winter storm details as staffing cuts threaten future reporting
While FERC’s recent report includes data on generator failures, there’s essentially no discussion or data regarding which types of resources failed — a crucial question in need of answers.
Paul Arbaje • June 3, 2025 -
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Why better monitoring of US transformers is a national security imperative
Losing even a small number of transformers can trigger cascading blackouts and we no longer have the spare capacity or supply chains to quickly recover.
Rahul Chaturvedi • June 2, 2025 -
SweetBunFactory via Getty Images
IRA tax credits spur construction, manufacturing in red and blue states
Repealing the Inflation Reduction Act could slow our ability to build more power generation and increase the risk of rolling blackouts and higher energy costs.
Emmanuel Martin-Lauzer • May 29, 2025 -
Permission granted by Ethan Howland
Making energy affordable again: The role of cities, states and utilities in enhancing the energy safety net
Even as the U.S. pursues an energy agenda centered on achieving affordability through abundance, utilities and local governments have tools to help families navigate energy insecurities.
Diana Hernández and Vivek Shastry • May 28, 2025 -
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AI and microgrids: Moving toward seamless, resilient energy solutions
By continuously analyzing current and projected energy production and demand, AI can optimize energy flows to ensure that power is distributed efficiently and at the lowest possible cost.
Brad Meissner • May 28, 2025 -
The Desert Photo via Getty Images
The Vistra fires and the truth about lithium-ion batteries
A technology exists to mass-produce safer lithium-ion batteries that can prevent disastrous battery fires, at potentially lower cost.
Karl Littau • May 27, 2025 -
Harnessing HVDC transmission as a transformative force in modern grid design
As grid modernization accelerates, high-voltage direct current transmission will be a cornerstone in the transition to a cleaner, smarter and more resilient power system.
Anees Jeddy • May 21, 2025 -
GCShutter via Getty Images
America’s climate brain drain is real — and it’s just getting started
While Washington debates the existence of climate change, countries like Germany, South Korea and the Netherlands are vigorously funding battery innovation, green hydrogen and next-gen energy storage.
Joe Curtatone • May 20, 2025 -
lyash01 via Getty Images
Is your electric bill too high? Thank LNG exports.
Allowing more gas to be sold overseas gives a windfall to corporate executives who profit from exports as well as from the higher prices they cause here at home by creating scarcity in the market.
Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré (Ret.) • May 19, 2025 -
"Diablo Canyon Family Open House" by Tracey Adams is licensed under CC BY 2.0
America’s AI future hinges on nuclear energy
Artificial intelligence makes nuclear safer, more efficient and affordable, while nuclear provides the energy AI needs to thrive.
Trey Lauderdale and Craig Piercy • May 16, 2025 -
Eloi_Omella via Getty Images
Resetting net zero: What next?
Governments, businesses and investors should seek to maintain long-term investment in competitive technologies while taking a proactive approach to sectors most vulnerable to the current slowdown.
Adrian Del Maestro • May 15, 2025 -
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Thousands of energy experts are leaving federal government. Here’s where they should go.
State PUCs desperately need skilled energy professionals to advance economic development, energy affordability and national security goals.
Charles Hua, Abe Silverman and Ted Thomas • May 14, 2025 -
Loradao via Getty Images
The AI energy emergency that wasn’t
The Army Corps of Engineers’ use of an emergency regulation to fast-track permitting for almost 700 projects may backfire because of legal delays and reversals.
Dan Farber • May 13, 2025 -
Phil Augustavo via Getty Images
America’s moment to secure its critical mineral future
As Congress works through reconciliation, we have a historic opportunity to reassert American industrial strength, safeguard national security and power a cleaner, technologically competitive future.
Heather Reams • May 12, 2025 -
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Why surging demand and grid transformation will define the utility sector in 2025
The utilities that succeed will be the ones that can manage today’s operational stress while preparing for tomorrow’s energy ecosystem.
Kyle Jones • May 9, 2025 -
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Navigating 4 key trends and challenges shaping the power industry
2025 will be pivotal in how utilities handle workforce shortages, the energy transition and a range of grid reliability and resilience issues.
Matt Carrara • May 7, 2025 -
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The time has come for competitive transmission in Texas
Opening the transmission sector to competition means leveraging the power of the market to deliver the most reliable grid at the lowest reasonable cost.
Matt Welch • May 6, 2025 -
Courtesy of SK Innovation
At-risk IRA tax credits drive industrial-scale infrastructure in red and blue states
The Inflation Reduction Act is a bipartisan success story, but if these tax credits disappear, so will plans for future factories, jobs and the chance to reclaim our industrial leadership.
Joby Bernstein and Claire Petersen • May 5, 2025
