Grid Security & Reliability
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OpinionClean firm generation is an important piece of the energy transition, but it’s no silver bullet
Due to the high cost of clean firm energy, it may be best considered as part of a broader generation portfolio that relies on much lower cost wind and solar most of the time.
By Michelle Solomon • Dec. 5, 2024 -
Courtesy of General Motors
Deep DiveWhen TOU rates aren’t enough: BG&E, other utilities expand active managed charging for rising EV load
With over 3 million electric vehicles on U.S. roads, managed charging pilots need to be scaled before infrastructure upgrade costs start rising, analysts and utility executives agree.
By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 4, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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TrendlineGrid 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 -
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OpinionA costly lesson in supply and demand: How to address PJM’s capacity shortages
The first law of holes says that you should stop digging when you’re in one. It’s time to stop retiring dispatchable resources if we don’t want the hole we’re in to get any deeper.
By Michelle Bloodworth • Dec. 3, 2024 -
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Sponsored by TorusCritical infrastructure at a crossroads: Securing our distributed energy future
A resilient, secure energy grid requires a strong foundation and unified collaboration.
By Nate Walkingshaw, CEO & Co-Founder of Torus • Dec. 2, 2024 -
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Deep DiveEPRI, Kraken advance DER interoperability standards to boost virtual power plant deployment
“Without interoperability standards, VPPs cannot reach scalability, affordability, and reliability as soon or as efficiently as they will be needed,” said Arshad Mansoor, CEO of the Electric Power Research Institute.
By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 27, 2024 -
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OpinionAI power demands are rising, and so are attacks on utilities. Here’s what they can do about it.
While the spike in electricity demand from artificial intelligence creates exciting new opportunities for utilities, it also makes them a prime target for both physical and cyberattacks.
By Carmelo McCutcheon • Nov. 27, 2024 -
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2024 Elections2024 election: US electric power sector impacts
The U.S. energy transition continues, but the shape and pace of change will be significantly impacted by the results of the federal election — for some issues more than others.
By Larry Pearl , Diana DiGangi , Robert Walton , Ethan Howland • Nov. 27, 2024 -
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New York City faces potential electricity resource shortfalls in 2033, 2034: ISO
Transportation and building electrification, along with commercial projects like data centers and chip fabrication, are driving peak demand higher, according to the New York Independent System Operator.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 26, 2024 -
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Affordability, data center growth and more: 9 state utility regulators reveal their top challenges
Utility commissioners from across the U.S. say their most pressing issue is balancing affordability with the utility spending required to meet demand growth and maintain reliability.
By Ethan Howland • Nov. 26, 2024 -
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As bitcoin’s price and energy demand surge, Texas requires some miners to register with utility commission
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz wants his state to be “an oasis" for bitcoin. But utility regulators say they need greater visibility into the stress that mining operators put on the electric grid.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 25, 2024 -
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Opinion
A model tariff can speed distributed power plant deployment and lower grid modernization costs
Distributed power plants can improve system resilience now, complementing longer-term grid upgrades that will take years or decades to build.
By America Garcia and Shannon Anderson • Nov. 22, 2024 -
Shutterstock / Ole.CNX
Sponsored by OpenTextDigital twins reimagined at scale for utilities
Digital twins of assets will play an increasing role in helping improve operational efficiency.
By Phil Schwarz • Nov. 18, 2024 -
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Natural gas supply is a bulk power reliability risk this winter: NERC
Gas producers have taken “a multitude of proactive measures to prepare for winter weather," Natural Gas Supply Association CEO Dena Wiggins said.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2024 -
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TSA proposes cyber risk management programs for pipeline operators, surface transportation
The proposed rule would also require the disclosure of cyber incidents to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and physical security concerns to the Transportation Security Administration.
By David Jones • Nov. 8, 2024 -
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2024 ElectionsTrump win is ‘setback’ for climate protection, but clean energy advocates say progress will continue
Trump’s victory means a Republican will be selected to lead FERC, which will likely work to rein in transmission incentives, said Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen's Energy Program.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2024 -
Permission granted by Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric investigating cyber intrusion after threat actor gains access to platform
The French multinational company has been a previous target of ransomware groups.
By David Jones • Nov. 5, 2024 -
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US should add 35 GW of interregional power transfer capacity to boost energy adequacy: NERC
NERC said its new study “demonstrates a significant opportunity to optimize reserve use during extreme weather events and shows how transmission can maximize the use of local resources, including storage and demand response.”
By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2024 -
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OpinionTo minimize AI’s cyber risks to energy infrastructure, start with the design phase
Artificial intelligence will escalate cyber threats, and — if left unprotected — it could create new vulnerabilities at the heart of energy infrastructure.
By Leo Simonovich • Oct. 31, 2024 -
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Grid-interactive efficient building systems need robust cybersecurity measures, DOE says
Federal facilities managers must assess the potential risks of GEB systems and understand how they can affect the physical and data security of overarching systems where they are deployed, the Department of Energy says.
By Brian Martucci • Oct. 30, 2024 -
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CenterPoint acquires smaller generators to aid in grid restorations, following Hurricane Beryl criticism
An independent analysis of CenterPoint’s July storm response included 77 recommendations, two-thirds of which the utility has already completed or is in the process of implementing.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 29, 2024 -
The image by Chesapeake Bay Program is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Deep DiveAPS, Duke, other utilities pursue new climate resilience strategies as some await upcoming tools
APS and Duke, along with Central Hudson Gas & Electric, PacifiCorp and Puget Sound Energy, see different paths to reach resilience planning’s potential while awaiting EPRI metrics to address uncertainties.
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 28, 2024 -
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Sponsored by UlteigThe future of grid modernization: Enhancing resilience and reliability
Explore key strategies for a resilient and reliable grid.
Oct. 28, 2024 -
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MISO, TVA to sell ‘emergency energy’ under proposed agreement
“MISO and TVA have become increasingly focused on the need for additional coordination and planning to better ensure reliability in an emergency,” MISO told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 25, 2024 -
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OpinionAmid hurricanes and wildfires, the legacy grid, not clean power, is failing local communities
The latest bout of extreme heat is proving that we can increasingly and reasonably rely on renewable energy and storage to save us from catastrophic power outages even as the planet warms.
By Akshat Kasliwal and Anirudh Mathur • Oct. 23, 2024 -
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AI, data center load could drive ‘extraordinary’ rise in US electricity bills: Bain analyst
Utility revenue requirements to serve growing data center electricity demand could increase customer bills by 1% annually through 2032, according to Bain & Company.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2024
