5.2 GW of solar resources at higher risk of tripping offline during grid disturbance: NERC

“Potential reliability gaps exist" when recommended practices are not implemented, said Ryan Quint, director of engineering and security integration at the North American Electric Reliability Corp.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 4, 2023

FERC rejects SPP winter resource adequacy proposal over lack of teeth

“Without an expected availability requirement for the winter season, there is a risk that capacity calculations could be inflated, giving a false impression of resource adequacy and grid resilience,” FERC said Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 1, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

The Utility Dive Outlook on 2023

2023 promises to be another busy year for the U.S. energy transition as stakeholders move to implement new clean energy measures while tackling growing security, reliability, equity and affordability challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

NARUC launches initiative to enhance gas-electric sector coordination, boost grid reliability

Electric generators are “more reliant than ever” on natural gas, and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners has launched a 15-month effort to improve coordination between the sectors.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 28, 2023

Navigating the currents of compliance: How to prepare for NERC PRC-005-6 and TPL-001-5

Prepared for critical NERC compliance standards that will affect your utility business? Make sure you are to avoid costly outages and fines.

Nov. 27, 2023

Integrated system planning — starting the journey

Decarbonization and clean energy commitments are driving ever-increasing complexity in utility infrastructure planning.

By Cristin Lyons and Stephen Haubrich • Nov. 27, 2023

FERC projects 5% drop in winter power prices in PJM, New York and Southeast

Led by solar, installed U.S. capacity increased by 35 GW from a year ago to 1,223 GW, and battery storage is expected to surge to 10 GW from 4 GW in the same period, according to FERC’s winter assessment report.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 17, 2023

NERC’s simulated grid attack revealed 1 way the pandemic helped boost power-sector security

Simulated nation-state hackers, physical threats and supply-chain complications were part of the North American Electric Reliability Corp.'s biennial grid attack exercise this week.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2023

It’s past time for FERC to assess if the US needs more gas infrastructure

If we build gas infrastructure blindly, one thing is certain: Rates we pay for energy will be neither just nor reasonable.

By Burçin Ünel and Jennifer Danis • Nov. 14, 2023

In the fight against energy poverty, utilities should make the most of consumption data

Energy insecurity has ramifications for health, safety, and customer equity. In the near-term, multiple opportunities exist for utilities to increase transparency, improve bill predictability, and provide personalized insights and support.

Nov. 13, 2023

The O&M benefits of continuous battery monitoring

Advances in battery technologies offer utilities substantial operations and maintenance (O&M) benefits.

Nov. 13, 2023

US grid rules preclude reliability, security benefits of cloud computing, experts warn

Incorporating new technologies into critical infrastructure protection standards can be “painful and time consuming,” said Joseph Mosher, portfolio manager at EDF Renewables.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2023

ISO New England proposes 1-year delay to 2025 forward capacity auction

The New England grid operator told regulators it must complete an analysis of the region’s constrained natural gas system in order to “accurately value the reliability contributions of all resources.”

By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2023

Regional transmission needs greatest in ERCOT, MISO, SPP: DOE

The Department of Energy sees major benefits in more interregional transmission capacity between the Southwest Power Pool and the Midcontinent grid operator, and between New York and New England.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 31, 2023

DOE picks National Grid, Berkshire Hathaway, Grid United transmission projects in first capacity buys

The planned transmission projects in New England and the West could carry 3.7 GW of clean energy while bolstering grid resilience, DOE said Monday.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 30, 2023

Key lessons for an economical and reliable path to a 100% clean electricity system

While the near- and mid-term path to reach an 80%-90% clean system is relatively clear, the technological mix of the final leg is still highly uncertain.

By Derek Stenclik and Priya Sreedharan • Oct. 27, 2023

Rhizome launches AI platform to boost power grid resilience amid extreme weather

The startup says its platform draws on national lab research, building information and machine learning tools to place “a value of resilience” on proposed grid investments.

By Joe Burns • Oct. 26, 2023

Bloom Energy, Google, others back microgrid tax credit extension

The push for the microgrid controller investment tax credit extension comes amid growth but also emerging challenges for the sector.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 25, 2023

AI is enhancing electric grids, but surging energy use and security risks are key concerns

The power demands of artificial intelligence could grow almost fivefold by 2028, said Sreedhar Sistu, vice president of artificial intelligence offers for Schneider Electric.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2023

Proactive asset health management in the age of renewables, EVs and unprecedented demand

Utilities Can Save Millions in O&M, Maximize Reliability and Increase the Lifetime Value of Grid Assets Through Monitoring, Analytics and Proactive Maintenance.

By Brian Berry, Chief Product Officer, Ampacimon • Oct. 23, 2023

Wildfire risk and public safety power shutoffs

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe, posing a major challenge for electric utilities.

By David Buckley, COO, Technosylva • Oct. 23, 2023

FERC directs NERC to draft reliability standards for wind, solar and storage

With inverter-based resources occasionally tripping offline, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Oct. 19 ordered that new reliability standards take effect by the end of the decade.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 20, 2023

DOE announces ‘largest-ever investment in America’s grid,’ giving $3.5B across 44 states

The first round of funding under the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program will boost U.S. renewable capacity by more than 10% within this decade, said DOE officials.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2023

Entergy New Orleans announces $1B grid-hardening effort

Entergy contends its 10-year plan would slash outage times and storm restoration costs.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 18, 2023

Shining light on solar: Harnessing AI to measure its social impact

When we think of protests for new energy systems, our minds initially go to fossil fuels. Rarely do solar PV (Photovoltaic) arrays come to mind.

Oct. 16, 2023

As EV cyber risks rise, careful procurement planning can prevent headaches

Companies need to take a hard look at the cybersecurity risks in their supply chains, contract for the right protections and build their facilities securely from the ground up.

By Arjun Ramadevanahalli • Oct. 12, 2023