EPRI releases study of wildfire tools to proactively assist electric companies in risk management

Large wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe in the United States and other regions.

June 17, 2024

As NVIDIA, IBM and others apply AI to boost utilities, regulatory and data privacy obstacles abound

The “move fast and break things” business model of the technology sector is meeting the regulated spending and reliability imperatives of the utility sector.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 11, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

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

Forward-thinking investments and increased power grid flexibility can prevent wildfires

A methodology being developed by Lawrence Berkekey National Lab and others assesses different wildfire mitigation approaches to determine the optimal portfolio of investments to protect power grids.

By Alexandre Moreira • June 10, 2024

White House wants to harmonize the breadth of cybersecurity regulations

National Cyber Director Harry Coker Jr. detailed White House strategy to streamline the administrative burden and cost of cyber compliance.

By David Jones • June 7, 2024

GE Vernova spinoff ThinkLabs AI developing artificial intelligence tool to boost grid reliability

The company is developing Copilot, an AI-powered digital assistant, to help utilities manage the renewable energy, storage and other resources coming on to the grid and better match electricity supply with demand.

By Patrick Cooley • June 4, 2024

Taking flight: How drones accelerate utility disaster recovery efforts

Learn how utilities can now turn to drone technologies to combat their disaster recovery efforts.

June 3, 2024

US data center electricity demand could double by 2030, driven by artificial intelligence: EPRI

Internet queries utilizing artificial intelligence require about 10x the electricity of traditional internet searches, according to analysis by the Electric Power Research Institute.

By Robert Walton • May 30, 2024

Utilities saw fewer Q1 ransomware attacks than other sectors. A Dragos analyst explains why.

Electric companies worldwide experienced one ransomware attack in Q1, compared with 25 in the transportation sector and 106 in manufacturing, according to Dragos, but analysts warn against utilities getting complacent.

By Robert Walton • May 30, 2024

Grid modernization plans must consider quantum computing, AI, other innovations

Any policy related to upgrading the grid must include a focus on using new technologies to make the most of these significant investments.

By Christina Hayes and Allison Schwartz • May 20, 2024

6 transmission resiliency strategies to combat extreme weather events

Bolstering grid resiliency is quickly becoming a requirement for utilities.

May 20, 2024

State utility regulators grapple with load growth, reliability and permitting amid energy transition

“There are so many priorities that we need to balance,” Michigan PSC Commissioner Katherine Peretick said at a Cleanpower Expo panel.

By Brian Martucci • May 17, 2024

25 GW of new solar to boost summer grid reliability, but extreme heat poses widespread risks: NERC

The North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s summer grid assessment, released Wednesday, concludes that seven regions face an “elevated risk” of energy shortfalls in extended heat waves.

By Robert Walton • May 16, 2024

An advanced grid requires regulatory innovation

The need for innovation in utility regulation “springs” up on the heels of DOE paper, “Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Innovative Grid Deployment.” Regulatory innovation is essential for meeting the grid requirements of the future.

By Brandon Dyer, Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs, Sense • May 13, 2024

PJM, MISO to study transmission upgrades to bolster interregional power flows

The grid operators plan to finish their interregional transfer capability study early next year.

By Ethan Howland • May 10, 2024

VPPs could boost utilities’ credit profiles, but it’s ‘premature’ to consider impact: Morningstar DBRS

Though obstacles are impeding virtual power plants in the short term, the technology will be a plus for utilities and for reliability in the long run, the credit rating company predicts.

By Brian Martucci • May 6, 2024

Achieving greater reliability: How utilities can overcome budget and climate challenges

Utilities need new and innovative ways to manage their operations, and advanced remote sensing technologies hold the key.

May 6, 2024

Amid evolving utility goals and rising rates, an AMx strategy can de-risk AMI and bring all meters to the table

As the first wave of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) begins to reach the end of its expected life, new meter technologies—including next-generation “AMI 2.0” meters—promise to offer a host of new benefits to utilities and customers alike.

By Essie Snell • May 6, 2024

FERC and NERC review of winter storm gas failures lacks transparency, key details

Faltering energy system performance — which almost caused rolling blackouts — and insufficient scrutiny and transparency after the fact must not be the new normal with winter storms.

By Paul Arbaje • May 3, 2024

New early warning system will mitigate energy shortfall risks in New England

ISO New England’s new Probabilistic Energy Adequacy Tool, created jointly with EPRI, is part of the grid operator’s comprehensive and proactive approach to planning for a reliable future power system.

By Stephen George and Jinye Zhao • May 1, 2024

Artificial intelligence can help manage the grid but creates risks if deployed ‘naïvely,’ DOE warns

Machine learning could help electric utilities improve permitting and siting, reliability, resilience and grid planning, according to a new Department of Energy report.

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2024

Expanding advanced nuclear raises national security risks: IISTP report

The Institute for International Science and Technology Policy cautioned against an unqualified embrace of nuclear power as a climate change solution as international cooperation on nuclear safety frays.

By Brian Martucci • April 29, 2024

Charging ahead: GIS mobility sparks continuous improvement

GIS and Modern Network Management are the foundation for energy transformation.

By Bill Meehan, Esri • April 29, 2024

15 questions to ask your energy storage or solar-plus-storage partner

As utilities evaluate partners to meet growing demand—it is important to ask key questions that will help you select the right folks to support the energy transition.

April 29, 2024

MISO capacity prices triple for next summer, spring, partly on power plant retirements

Prices for Ameren Missouri and Columbia, Missouri’s municipal utility jumped to nearly $720/MW-day for the upcoming fall and spring seasons due to expected power supply shortages.

By Ethan Howland • April 26, 2024

Extreme winter weather grid performance improves, and 5 other takeaways from FERC’s open meeting

FERC rejected a preliminary permit application for a 3.6-GW pumped storage facility on Navajo Nation land in Coconino County, Arizona, in a nod to its new tribal policy.

By Ethan Howland • April 26, 2024