Climavision offers expanded weather forecasting to data centers

The company says it can help large loads better respond to changing weather conditions as data centers are asked to play a more active role in grid management.

By Charles Paullin • Sept. 16, 2026

Change 4 mindsets to build a more resilient US grid: NERC CEO Jim Robb

While the challenges of building new power infrastructure are real, some of the obstacles that need to be overcome are self-limitations embedded in a deeply rooted mindset, writes Robb.

By Jim Robb • Sept. 15, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

PJM faces 2030 reliability crisis if data center load growth continues: report

In a worst-case scenario, the modeled loss of load expectation is “over 100 times worse than PJM’s planning criterion,” indicating an expectation of “more than 13 days with loss of load events per year,” said the study commissioned by the Pennsylvania PUC.

By Diana DiGangi • Updated Sept. 16, 2026

Turning utility customer affordability into action

The growing role of customer affordability in utility strategy, investment and long-term planning.

Sept. 14, 2026

New York ISO’s independence is critical when the grid is stressed

This summer’s Champlain Hudson Power Express outage highlights the importance of an independent grid operator, writes Zach Smith, senior vice president of system and resource planning at NYISO.

By Zach Smith • Sept. 11, 2026

Beyond Category 5: What extreme hurricanes mean for electric utilities

As storm behavior changes, grid planning frameworks need to keep pace with evolving risk profiles, write Michael Levy and Sarah Pearl of management consulting firm Baringa.

By Michael Levy and Sarah Pearl • Sept. 10, 2026

Utilities eye small modular nuclear reactors for reliability as hyperscalers drive demand

Deep-pocketed tech companies and mission‑critical defense customers are emerging as the earliest adopters of SMRs, but utilities see potential if siting and cost recovery issues can be resolved.

By Marlene Wilden • Sept. 4, 2026

National Grid’s different gas-electric forecasts are responsible planning

National Grid New York is advancing integrated gas-electric planning through coordinated efforts and non-pipeline alternatives, writes the utility’s general counsel, Philip DeCicco.

By Philip DeCicco • Sept. 3, 2026

CISA scraps 6 free cybersecurity assessments for critical infrastructure operators

Tatyana Bolton, the executive director of the OT Cyber Coalition, said that “severe budget cuts have forced CISA into a corner” where it can no longer provide the level of support it once did.

By Eric Geller • Sept. 3, 2026

Santee Cooper partners with Google in shift toward AI-driven forecasting

The state-owned utility plans to use artificial intelligence tools for more precise weather, load and financial planning, CFO Tami Wilson told journalists.

By Diana DiGangi • Updated Sept. 9, 2026

Transmission expansion could spur billions in savings, especially in PJM: study

About a dozen inter- and intraregional projects in the Eastern Interconnection could help meet load growth, lower retail electric rates, bolster reliability and support U.S. security, the study found.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 2, 2026

3 principles to make AI data centers good grid citizens

Developed intentionally, AI data centers can help create a more resilient and affordable electric system, write officials from Heron Power, NVIDIA, Invenergy and Emerald AI.

By Drew Baglino, Vlad Troy, Michael Polsky and Varun Sivaram • Sept. 1, 2026

Large loads face reliability requirements under MISO proposal

MISO defines “large loads” as those above 50 MW and “computational loads” as large loads that include at least 25 MW of demand from information technology equipment. The separate classifications will allow MISO to target certain requirements to data centers.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Sept. 1, 2026

Federal authorities disrupt China-backed hacking operation targeting US critical infrastructure

Compromised IoT devices were used in a yearslong campaign against key sectors and federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy and power companies, according to court records. 

By David Jones • Aug. 28, 2026

US Army selects 5 companies to deploy microreactors at military installations

The $2.2B in federal funding is intended to boost the sites’ resilience and the commercial viability of next-generation nuclear power.

By Marlene Wilden • Aug. 27, 2026

Trump declares emergency, moves to block some foreign-made equipment from grid

Grid equipment manufacturers say more clarity will be needed, particularly around rules for software and digital products where the country of origin may be difficult to determine.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2026

Drones are the next big security challenge for critical infrastructure

The same capabilities that make drones operationally valuable for utilities also make them effective tools for threat actors, writes SkySafe Chief Revenue Officer Melissa Swisher.

By Melissa Swisher • Aug. 26, 2026

Data centers can vanish from the grid in seconds; reliability rules need to catch up

The loss of more than 3 GW of data center demand in Virginia shows why policy must address operational behavior, not just costs, writes AIxEnergy.io founder Brandon Owens.

By Brandon Owens • Aug. 25, 2026

Bills rise when utilities use conflicting forecasts to drive gas and electric investment

Integrated planning can lower costs to ratepayers by reducing duplicative spending, and New York could lead the way, write experts at Current Energy Group and Advanced Energy United.

By Brad Cebulko and Sarah Steinberg • Aug. 24, 2026

ERCOT aims to complete Texas governor’s data center audit by December

The pause on new data center interconnections could impact the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ upcoming long-term load forecast and reliability assessment, officials said Thursday.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2026

FERC approves SPP ‘topology optimization’ plan for cutting grid congestion

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s power market has saved nearly $100 million this year under a similar approach for topology reconfiguration.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 20, 2026

The Western energy market must shift as power flows evolve, say experts

The WECC-1 RAS “does not consider south-to-north flows, and frankly, it is something I'm worried about,” said Bonneville Power Administration system dispatcher Chris Sanford during a Western Market Seams workshop.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 19, 2026

2026 Q2 roundup: Utilities emphasize project execution and ratepayer protections

Executives tried to show they can secure the equipment needed to meet rising demand without shifting costs to existing customers as politicians take aim at data centers ahead of the midterm elections.

By Meris Lutz • Aug. 17, 2026

From grid hardening to grid intelligence: The next era of wildfire resilience

Another summer of evacuation orders and smoke-filled skies across the country as hundreds of wildfires are burning. Technology is helping to mitigate grid impacts.

By Amith Kota, Chief Technology Officer, and Lisa Magnuson, Chief Marketing Officer • Aug. 17, 2026

Why AI is arriving at the most difficult moment for North America’s grid

Why grid readiness may determine the future of the AI economy.

Aug. 17, 2026