Transmission, reliability and gas system decarbonization top of mind for state utility regulators in 2022

Energy Innovation analysts share their top takeaways from last week's NARUC policy summit, along with insights for unlocking access to low-cost renewables, bolstering system reliability, and cutting natural gas emissions.

By Michelle Solomon and Hadley Tallackson • Feb. 23, 2022

Load growth, retiring fossil fuels creating 'urgent need' for new electric resources in the Southwest: report

Southwestern utilities estimate that electric loads will increase approximately 2.4% per year between 2021 and 2025, a time period during which they plan to retire around 1,200 MW of coal and 1,300 MW of natural gas capacity.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 18, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Reliability

Rising peak demand, extreme weather and other factors are raising power outage risks in the U.S., but FERC and other stakeholders are pursuing multiple actions to address reliability concerns.

By Utility Dive staff

Utility cybersecurity insurance premiums are on the rise, more than doubling for some independent power producers

Global politics and the rise of ransomware are driving up cybersecurity insurance costs for energy companies, though experts say electric utilities have fared relatively well so far. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2022

US must increase manufacturing of core grid equipment, despite costs: Berkshire Hathaway Energy

Securing the grid means moving development of some critical equipment back to the United States — or at least away from China, say experts. But that will come with a cost.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2022

Wildfires: Summer, Fall and Winter destruction...what's next?

Given ongoing increases in annual ambient temperature, expanded and extended drought conditions, increasing wind storms, etc., perhaps there is no longer a conveniently definable wildfire season.

Feb. 7, 2022

Tunneling robot speeds installation of underground utilities, aiding resilience efforts

Robotics company Petra said its technology allows it to bury utilities deep below the surface and in difficult terrain, expanding the reach of the utility grid and providing greater resilience against climate-related disasters.

By Mary Salmonsen • Feb. 3, 2022

Hydropower has critical role stabilizing Western Interconnection during extreme conditions: report

Developing a better understanding of how hydropower supports the grid will help to better value the resource, as well as make the case for future investments in hydropower facilities as a way to boost reliability, the study's authors said. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 2, 2022

A year after widespread blackouts, Texas grid prepares for looming winter freeze

The grid operator for most of Texas says it is "anticipating high demand for power" from Wednesday through Sunday and has taken "early preventative action" to ensure the grid remains stable.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2022

Breakthroughs in generation and system integration are driving the utility of the future, analysts say

The new technologies will reverse the supply-demand equation and bring competitive procurement and a transaction platform to merge the bulk power and distribution systems.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 31, 2022

Eversource digs out of 'major snowstorm' after 300k lose power

Crews from Connecticut and New Hampshire came to assist in the Massachusetts restoration, and now Eversource says less than 500 outages remain, as of Monday morning.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 31, 2022

2022 power and utilities industry outlook: The clean energy transition powers on

In 2022, the power industry will continue forging a path to a cleaner, more reliable, and resilient grid.

Jan. 31, 2022

FERC proposes internal monitoring requirements for bulk electric facilities to address security 'gap'

A bigger focus on intrusion detection could improve grid security, say experts, but it is unclear by how much and at what cost.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2022

DHS warns local authorities, critical infrastructure providers over potential Russian cyberattacks

As tensions rise over a possible Russian incursion into the Ukraine, federal authorities say Russia may launch direct cyberattacks against targets in the U.S. 

By David Jones • Jan. 26, 2022

Extremists have developed ‘credible, specific plans’ to attack the US power grid, DHS says in new warning

Domestic terrorists see the U.S. electric grid as a "particularly attractive target," according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security warning, raising fears of a physical attack on critical infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2022

PG&E proposes 6.4 GWh battery storage plan in response to California's 11.5 GW procurement order

If approved by state regulators, the projects would boost the utility’s total battery storage capacity to over 3,330 MW by 2024.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 25, 2022

2022 Utility Dive Outlook

Utility Dive examines priorities, expectations and trends for three key subjects — FERC, rate design and renewable energy — along with a broader roundup of some of the U.S. power sector trends to watch in the year ahead.

Jan. 24, 2022

New York regulators tap ConEdison to help interconnect up to 6 GW of offshore wind

The request to design an interconnection hub comes as the federal government announced a February auction of leasing areas in the New York Bight that could support up to 7 GW of offshore wind.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 24, 2022

Nearly a year after Winter Storm Uri's devastation, where are we on grid resilience?

More comprehensive assessments of the benefits of additional transmission between various U.S. regions could result in greater grid resilience and reliability, the authors write.

By Clint Vince and Barbara Tyran • Jan. 24, 2022

As the electric sector becomes 'tip of the spear' of decarbonization, resiliency remains key, trade group leaders say

The industry is facing new and old issues in 2022, according to experts at the U.S. Energy Association’s 2022 State of the Energy Industry Forum, including supply chain, labor, cybersecurity and reliability challenges.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 24, 2022

How smart chargers coupled with utility demand response programs can improve grid reliability and stability

Today, utilities and regulators are increasingly emphasizing electric vehicles (EVs) and other distributed energy resources (DERs) in their demand response programs.

Jan. 24, 2022

Republicans, industry resist FERC oversight of pipeline reliability, security as Glick cites grid threats

A proposal to give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission more pipeline oversight would transform "a relatively tiny agency into a behemoth," Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., said.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2022

2022 Outlook: FERC expected to prioritize transmission, power markets and gas infrastructure

With a new Democratic majority, observers expect Chairman Glick will move quickly on an agenda that could facilitate the energy transition.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 19, 2022

2022 Outlook: Top US power sector trends to watch

The Biden administration entered 2022 with some key strengths and significant challenges to implementing its clean energy agenda, but states, companies and others are continuing to advance the energy transition.

By Kavya Balaraman, Ethan Howland, Robert Walton and Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 18, 2022

'Unacceptable:' Texas market reforms will not be quick, electric grid operator tells dissatisfied regulators

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas may need two years to implement some market reforms, citing staffing shortages and the complexity of designing new market products.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 18, 2022

The best no-regrets investment for electric utilities in 2022

Think you know the best investment for utilities this year? Let's compare.

Jan. 10, 2022