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

Explore the Trendline➔

Grid Resiliency

The risk from natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires and heat waves is compounded by rising demand for power that threatens to put additional strain on the grid, as well as cyber and physical attacks on critical infrastructure.

By Utility Dive staff

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

Duke, SCE, other grid modernization proposals faced big cost questions, more regulator scrutiny in 2021

Regulators facing new climate and reliability urgencies and nearly 500 grid modernization proposals are more often favoring phased advances toward a smarter system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 4, 2022

DOE announces technical assistance for 21 states on grid modernization, energy transition challenges

The modeling and research program follows other assistance for customers and small businesses that the U.S. Department of Energy announced this month.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 23, 2021

North American Energy Standards Board to tackle gas-electric coordination in 2022

The industry forum wants to improve coordination between natural gas and electricity markets following disruptions in Texas during Winter Storm Uri.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2021

ISO New England can meet winter power demand 'if the weather is mild,' grid operator warns

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a mild New England winter this year, and grid officials are hoping that holds true.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2021

California OKs 'bridge' measures to bolster grid against potential extreme circumstances in 2022, 2023

The decisions instruct the state's three investor-owned utilities to collectively procure between 2 GW and 3 GW of additional demand and supply-side resources, among other recommendations.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 6, 2021

A month after 'malicious' cyberattack, a small Colorado utility still doesn't have all systems back online

Delta-Montrose Electric Association is still working to restore its payment and billing systems. Security experts say the recovery time points to a need for better backups.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 6, 2021

Wildfires equal Devastation… How can we avoid or reduce the impacts?

A wildfire mitigation solution that presents a multi-purpose, multi-value wildfire mitigation and public safety protection solution, via a cost-effective monitoring network that overarches our communities.

Dec. 6, 2021

Trends to watch in energy storage in 2022

By the end of 2030, the energy storage industry will break the 1 terawatt (TW) threshold. Wärtsilä's Vice President of Energy Storage and Optimization, Andrew Tang shares his thoughts on the trends we'll see unfold as a result.

By Andrew Tang, Vice President, Energy Storage and Optimization • Dec. 6, 2021

Extreme weather, low hydro and fuel shortages could threaten grid in multiple regions this winter: NERC

Power plants are struggling to obtain coal and gas supplies are low, said officials. The winter assessment recommended utilities review non-firm customer inventories and rolling blackout procedures.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 19, 2021

Changing climate and electricity mix renew region-wide power market ambitions for the 'Wild West'

Replacing today's "inflexible" dispatch in 11 Western states with an RTO's optimized operations and avoided capacity costs could deliver up to $1.3 billion in annual benefits, according to a DOE-funded study.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 15, 2021

A year after SolarWinds, third-party risk still threatens the software supply chain

The federal government and private sector, including power companies, are collaborating to shore up supply chain vulnerabilities.

By David Jones • Nov. 12, 2021

Texas blackouts prompt New York ISO to consider 'once in a century' winter events

Extreme weather and widespread blackouts in Texas and the Southwest last winter have changed the way grid operators consider capacity risks, say experts.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2021

Southeast utilities confront extreme weather, new peak demand patterns to avoid Texas-style blackouts

The Texas storm was a reminder for utilities in the region, which are more familiar with summer peaking events, that extreme weather is now a year-round concern.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 8, 2021