What electric reliability is actually worth and what it means for utilities

Different utilities can use the same means to get to different reliability needs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2015

Greens: Duke's maligned coal ash handling is typical for industry

Over 200 contaminations and spills document water contamination and deformed fish near coal ash sites.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 24, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

SDG&E: If you're not prepared for the change, it's too late

Sunny San Diego may be the perfect place for solar, but solar adoption is causing serious problems on the grid. 

By Davide Savenije • Feb. 24, 2015

How renewables are changing the way we operate the grid

Forget base-load power – reliability is now about balancing energy, capacity, and flexibility.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 23, 2015

Cold snap sets winter electric demand record in PJM

PJM Interconnection set a new winter peak load record last week, but the system had plenty of resources available to meet demand.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 23, 2015

Exelon backs EPA Clean Power Plan, wants price on carbon

New carbon riles could could help modernize the grid without adding too much to customers' bills.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 23, 2015

FERC orders review of Presque Isle coal plant costs

Ratepayers on Michigan's Upper Peninsula will avoid an immediate bill increase.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 22, 2015

Texas wind generation is up 71% in 5 years

Wind generation grew more than wind capacity due to new transmission, EIA reports. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 20, 2015

National Grid partners with Spectra, Eversource to expand NE gas pipelines

The Access Northeast project would supply up to 1 Bcf/d of gas to the pipeline-constrained region.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 20, 2015

Dynegy looks to scuttle AEP coal subsidies in Ohio

Last year Dynegy proposed buying nine Ohio power plants, putting it in competition with AEP.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 20, 2015

"The next shale": How solar is poised to transform America's energy markets

“The comparison is the magnitude of the impact solar can have on the market,” the lead author of a recent study said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 19, 2015

How the West's new Energy Imbalance Market is building a smarter energy system

The market saved millions in its first two months and helped prevent curtailment of renewable resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 19, 2015

Exelon expects Illinois bill to support nuke plants in March

Company officials expect the measure to have broad support in the state legislature.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2015

Billions in TX wind generation stalled as industry awaits PTC guidance

Tri Global Energy has halted work on more than 1,200 MW currently under development in Texas.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2015

NARUC meetings: Will the EPA's Clean Power Plan change? It's 'very much on the table'

Amendments to interim targets and the plan's timeline are "very much on the table," EPA officials said during day two. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 18, 2015

RG&E, Exelon strike deal to keep Ginna nuke operating into 2018

Without a deal, the plant was slated for retirement. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 18, 2015

We Energies wants guarantee that large industrial customer won't defect

The utility continues to accept subsidies because it is wary the largest customer at its Presque Isle Power Plant will find power elsewhere.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 18, 2015

Calpine stands to profit from tight reserve margins in Texas

 The company generated approximately 103 million MWh of electricity in 2014.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 18, 2015

NARUC meetings: Do we need a carbon price to comply with the EPA's Clean Power Plan?

The nation's utility regulators met in Washington on Monday and we've got your rundown.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 17, 2015

Google will take 50% of wind power from NextEra's Atlamont facility

Hundreds of aging turbines will be replaced with less than 50 newer, more efficient models.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2015

TVA to sign major solar deal with NextEra for 80 MW

The deal will be TVA's first utility-scale solar purchase.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 13, 2015

How Basin Electric is handling explosive new load growth in North Dakota

Explosive growth from North Dakota’s oil boom is creating an unprecedented new generation and transmission need.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 13, 2015

Miss. Supreme Court strikes down Southern's Kemper plant rate hikes

The state's high court says regulators did not evaluate the prudency of costs incurred at the IGCC plant.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 13, 2015

Critics say Ohio coal subsidies could hurt renewables, gas in capacity market

Critics of the proposal to guarantee income from FirstEnergy coal plants say they could crowd out other resources in the capacity market.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2015

Southern Co. subsidiary Gulf Power buys 180 MW of Oklahoma wind

A third Southern Company subsidiary buys wind – is it the end of the coal era?

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2015