NERC president warns of ‘five-alarm fire’ for grid reliability

“The reliability of the power grid remains extremely high, but, paradoxically, the risks to reliability continue to mount,” the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s Jim Robb told federal regulators.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 22, 2025

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s industry partnerships slashed

The latest round of sweeping layoffs could significantly impede CISA’s relationships with critical infrastructure organizations in healthcare, energy, water, finance and other sectors.

By Eric Geller • Oct. 22, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Reliability

A curated selection of recent stories that explore advances in policy and technology to address reliability, as well as the reliability risks the U.S. power system is facing.

By Utility Dive staff

States should think twice before taking steps to exit PJM

If officials believe the PJM Interconnection capacity market is not ensuring resource adequacy, or is doing so at excessive prices, they should turn their efforts to market reforms, writes former FERC Chair Joseph Kelliher.

By Joseph Kelliher • Oct. 22, 2025

Utility identity fraud is a bigger problem than people think

Stolen and synthetic identities are flowing through utility systems not just for free electricity or gas, but to fuel broader schemes that ripple across the financial sector, writes David Maimon, head of fraud insights at SentiLink.

By David Maimon • Oct. 21, 2025

NorthWestern plans ‘large load’ tariff for Montana data centers

Advocates say the utility plans to serve at least three data centers that could scale up to a load of 2,250 MW — nearly twice its current peak. NorthWestern said it is in talks with potential data center customers but has no agreements.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 21, 2025

As cyber threats grow, utilities say lapsed information-sharing law stymies security

The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 has expired, and utilities say the U.S. faces a “more complex and dangerous security environment” as a result.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2025

For electric utilities to win with AI, focus on the 3 C’s

Electric utilities are deploying AI to combat their biggest threats: cyberattacks, extreme weather and soaring energy demand from data centers.

By Indran Ratnathicam, CGO, Technosylva • Oct. 20, 2025

The best of the BESS: The role of battery energy storage systems in grid reliability

BESS is not just about storing power, but empowering a sustainable, resilient energy future.

By Tom Holleran, PE, Senior Electrical Engineer – POWER Engineers, member of WSP and Saurabh Chatterjee, Vice President Onshore Renewables – WSP in the U.S. • Oct. 20, 2025

The week in 5 numbers: DOE backs transmission, Amazon’s dozen nuclear reactors

Plus a group of solar projects in Nevada face uncertainty and California funds offshore wind.

By Meris Lutz • Oct. 17, 2025

FERC orders MISO to clarify how merchant projects will be included in transmission planning

Also, the agency aims to issue a colocation decision this year while its staffing has plunged 11%, FERC Chairman David Rosner said Thursday at an open meeting.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 17, 2025

Public disclosures of AI risk surge among S&P 500 companies

A report by The Conference Board shows companies are flagging concerns about cyber and reputational risk as they increase deployment.

By David Jones • Oct. 15, 2025

PJM’s market monitor urges FERC to review Amazon data center’s effect on costs, reliability

The issue centers on an unprecedented agreement between PECO Energy and Amazon Data Services that aims to protect utility customers from costs related to a planned data center complex in Pennsylvania.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 15, 2025

PJM Interconnection needs 43 GW of energy storage by 2045: Brattle Group

A report commissioned by the U.S. Energy Storage Coalition said North America’s largest grid operator needs to rapidly build storage to ensure reliability and mitigate cost increases amid a surge in electricity demand.

By Brian Martucci • Oct. 14, 2025

New York City could face power reliability issues beginning next year: ISO

“The NYISO’s findings should be alarming to residents and serve as another wake up call for the state,” said Gavin Donohue, president of the Independent Power Producers of New York.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 14, 2025

Unlock load flexibility with these 4 strategies

Enhancing load flexibility is essential to improve grid reliability, integrate renewable energy sources, and achieve economic efficiency. Learn how to unlock the right strategies.

By Allison Salke • Oct. 13, 2025

Honeywell to supply new power solutions for data centers

Working with industrial automation firm LS Electric, Honeywell will offer AI-driven power management solutions, including battery energy storage systems, to help meet the sector’s energy demand.

By Joe Burns • Oct. 10, 2025

The week in 5 numbers: Utilities make it rain, wildfire costs rage on

Plus a closely watched acquisition gets the green light, the U.S. renewable outlook shrinks and more

By Meris Lutz • Oct. 10, 2025

Why data center operators should pay for residential electrification upgrades

Upgrading households is the fastest way for hyperscalers to obtain all the electricity they need, writes Ari Matusiak, founder and CEO of Rewiring America.

By Ari Matusiak • Oct. 10, 2025

Grid planners and experts on why markets keep choosing renewables

“If natural gas was the cheapest option to meet the peak, the markets would select it,” said Sean Kelly, co-founder and CEO of forecast provider Amperon and a former energy analyst.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 9, 2025

Navigating the One Big Beautiful Bill era in US power markets

In today’s volatile climate, success will hinge less on predicting the future and more on preparing for it, say the authors from energy consulting firm E3 in this detailed original analysis of federal policy. 

By Kushal Patel, Gregory Gangelhoff, Tali Perelman and Amber Mahone • Oct. 8, 2025

Xcel Minnesota proposes ‘first-of-its-kind’ distributed capacity procurement

Xcel requested the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approve the program with a budget range of $152 million, based on a minimum procurement of 50 MW, to $430 million if it deploys all 200 MW.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 8, 2025

Investor-owned utilities call for ending ‘overreliance’ on PJM capacity market

“Narrowly focusing on design changes to PJM markets has left customers exposed to reliability risks and cost uncertainty,” the Edison Electric Institute’s Drew Maloney said.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 8, 2025

Bridging the skills gap and preparing tomorrow’s utility workforce

When veteran field techs understand how their data feeds analytics platforms or how remote inspections can save time, they don’t just adapt — they help optimize those systems, writes Dan Helman, CEO of Think Power Solutions.

By Dan Helman • Oct. 7, 2025

Power outages drive supply chain worries: report

Nearly nine out of 10 global executives reported experiencing energy-related disruptions in the last year, a Prologis survey found.

By Suman Bhattacharyya • Oct. 6, 2025

Distributed energy resources can accelerate data center interconnection

Solutions that help local utilities find or create spare grid capacity by harnessing distributed energy resources could help bring more AI compute capacity online faster.

By Jen Downing • Oct. 6, 2025