New power system cybersecurity architectures can be ‘vaults’ against insider attacks, analysts say

Utility operations facing hackers now, and a future of minimally-protected distributed energy resources, will need smarter, more complex defenses, from control rooms to customer-owned devices, analysts said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 17, 2023

FERC OKs cold weather reliability standards for US generators but orders NERC to address shortcomings

Proposals from the North American Electric Reliability Corp. were considered “not up to the task." FERC directed the grid watchdog organization to bolster them, partly by setting certain deadlines.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 17, 2023

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AI in the Power Sector

Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

By Utility Dive staff

Texas Sen. Menéndez: Performance credit could take years to implement, but efficiency and DR are immediate

An overhaul of the Texas energy market could take years to implement while energy-saving measures could be launched “today, tomorrow, the next day,” said state Sen. José Menéndez, D.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2023

FERC rejects American Clean Power, RENEW Northeast complaint alleging ISO-NE bias towards gas plants

Amid a wintertime reliability threat, the agency should propose a solution for New England instead of waiting for the grid operator to offer one, Commissioner Allison Clements said.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 17, 2023

NRC issues first update of 2010 regulatory guide to strengthen cybersecurity at nuclear plants

The revision incorporates references to industry guidance on identifying and protecting critical digital assets. It also clarifies guidance on comprehensive protections for cybersecurity.

By Stephen Singer • Feb. 13, 2023

US microgrid market to grow 19% annually through 2027, Wood Mackenzie projects

Microgrids continue to add capacity as green initiatives spur development, but high costs associated with renewable technology remain a challenge, a Wood Mackenzie analyst said.

By Henrik Nilsson • Feb. 8, 2023

Sunrun, PG&E to roll out 30-MW virtual power plant to support California grid in the summer

Sunrun will create the virtual power plant by enrolling up to 7,500 existing and new rooftop solar and battery systems in PG&E’s footprint.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 7, 2023

FBI thwarts neo-Nazi plot to attack Baltimore Gas & Electric substations, ‘completely destroy’ city

Two suspects were charged in federal court in Maryland with plotting to attack utility substations with firearms. Experts say the plan could have resulted in widespread outages.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 7, 2023

Texas wind energy freeze-out shows need for better resource adequacy, says NRG VP

Renewable energy underperformed in Texas during the Feb. 1 winter storm but outperformed fossil fuels during December's winter storm Elliott, said NRG Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Travis Kavulla.

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 6, 2023

New England policymakers have the tech and funds for energy security. They just need to act.

Distributed renewable energy — especially when paired with energy storage — can provide near-term relief to high power prices while improving reliability.

By Mike Judge • Feb. 3, 2023

‘No regrets’ approach to big batteries, green hydrogen and grid reliability urgently needed, analysts say

Advanced batteries and green hydrogen promise long-duration energy storage solutions for “net zero” system reliability, but only regulatory policy and market support can fulfill that promise, industry stakeholders say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 31, 2023

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’ public-private collaborative to focus on energy, water

The Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative dedicated its 2023 agenda to particularly vulnerable sectors and open source use in industrial systems. 

By David Jones • Jan. 30, 2023

California’s plan to keep Diablo Canyon nuclear plant online hits regulatory snag

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission rejected PG&E’s request to resume the review of a 2009 relicensing application for the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, but PG&E plans to to file a new one by the end of 2023.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 30, 2023

Winter storm Elliott proved fossil fuel plants are an infirm resource

The December storm that brought extreme cold to much of the nation demonstrated—yet again—that fossil fuels fail when electricity is needed most.

Jan. 30, 2023

Cybersecurity: The case for zero trust in modern energy networks – part 1

Utility assets have traditionally been secured by proprietary communications links whose security depends on physical access control and operational obscurity.

Jan. 30, 2023

EVs are more popular than ever. They’re also extremely prone to cyberattacks.

If action is not taken to uniformly protect electric vehicles and charging infrastructure from cyber threats, the mobile exoskeleton of the U.S. could be targeted.

By Shahid Mahdi • Jan. 27, 2023

‘We got lucky.’ A stronger 2022 storm season could have threatened grid recovery: EEI

The evolving power grid faces a host of challenges, speakers at the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s 2023 Reliability Leadership Summit said Wednesday.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2023

Carlyle, Schneider joint venture AlphaStruxure plans 11.4-MW microgrid at JFK airport terminal

The airport terminal could operate during gridwide outages powered by a microgrid featuring 7.7 MW of rooftop solar, 3.7 MW of fuel cells and 2 MW of battery storage.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 26, 2023

2023 US Power Sector Outlook

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 The Utility Dive Team • Jan. 25, 2023

How US grid operators can defend against the unprecedented surge in power system attacks

Undertaking random security measures, better information-sharing with law enforcement, and enlisting public support are among the steps grid operators can take to address the increase in attacks.

By Ben Joelson • Jan. 24, 2023

3 big advances coming as distributed energy resources take newer, bigger roles in 2023

Analysts foresee DER growth in 2023 at the wholesale market and retail distribution system levels as communities and local leaders demand more reliability and resilience.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2023

California PUC orders an additional 4 GW of clean energy resources to bolster grid reliability

The 4 GW would add to the 11.5 GW of clean energy resources that state regulators ordered in mid-2021.

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated Feb. 24, 2023

Texas regulators adopt performance credit in market overhaul proceeding, teeing up battle with lawmakers

Regulators "chose to ignore the clear direction" of the Texas legislature, said Sen. Charles Schwertner, an author of legislation that initiated the Texas energy market changes.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2023

SEC aims to set climate risk, cybersecurity rules before May

Lawmakers, state attorneys general and other critics have said that by publishing a final climate risk rule, the agency would shoulder companies with excessive compliance costs and overstep its authority.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 19, 2023

California greenlights more than 800 MW of storage and solar to bolster power grid reliability

The projects are the result of solicitations conducted after the California Public Utilities Commission approved an 11.5-GW procurement package in 2021.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 17, 2023