Grid Security & Reliability: Page 3


  • A woman speaking at a conference.
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    Permission granted by WIRES
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    Misaligned interconnection, transmission planning could hurt competitive markets: FERC’s Chang

    Getting generation online as quickly as possible is a key priority, according to Commissioner Judy Chang. “We should plan, design, permit — all faster."

    By July 11, 2025
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    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
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    Ohio regulators approve AEP data center interconnection rules

    The Ohio PUC ordered the utility to file updated tariffs and lift a moratorium on connecting new data centers as soon as possible.

    By July 10, 2025
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    Apu Gomes via Getty Images
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    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
  • A data processing and storage center.
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    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
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    There aren’t enough AI chips to support data center projections, report says

    High-end forecasts are “not credible,” according to London Economics International, which called its report a “sanity check” on demand growth projections. 

    By July 9, 2025
  • Two little girls draw on a table with a candle during a power outage
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    Marizza via Getty Images
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    Load growth, plant retirements could drive 100x increase in blackouts by 2030: DOE

    The U.S. Department of Energy on Monday published a methodology for assessing grid reliability, but clean energy advocates say it likely exaggerates the risks of blackouts.

    By July 8, 2025
  • A man looks at data center wiring in a large warehouse.
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    halbergman via Getty Images
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    ‘Growing reliability concerns’ top North Carolina regulator’s large load conference

    The North Carolina Utilities Commission has asked utilities to weigh in on whether new tariffs should be developed for some or all customers above a certain demand threshold as load forecasts grow.

    By Brian Martucci • July 7, 2025
  • Utility crews repair downed power lines.
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    John M. Chase via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    How AI can improve utility storm response with increased reliability, lower ratepayer costs

    With extreme weather increasing, AI can make storm response more efficient and effective for utilities, ratepayers, vendors, regulators and the various governments involved.

    By Hari Vasudevan • July 7, 2025
  • An aerial view of houses topped with solar panels
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    California budget leaves grid reliability programs in limbo, advocates say

    State legislators and the governor deferred decisions about the state’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and voter-approved climate bonds to later in the year.

    By July 2, 2025
  • An electrical engineer using a laptop while working at a substation.
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    SimonSkafar via Getty Images
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    Electrical manufacturers publish ‘digital substation’ standards

    “There are interoperability questions and there's a need for technical guidance for utilities interested in installing these ... self healing grid technologies,” NEMA Senior Vice President Patrick Hughes said.

    By June 27, 2025
  • Two men look at a stack of air conditioners in boxes.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    FERC’s Christie calls for dispatchable resources after grid operators come ‘close to the edge’

    “You never know about the next time, and there's going to be a next time,” Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Mark Christie said about grid operators' ability to avoid blackouts this week.

    By June 27, 2025
  • A power plant sites next to a river.
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    Permission granted by Consumers Energy
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    Eight utility regulators challenge DOE order keeping Michigan coal plant open

    The department’s invocation of emergency powers to interfere with state and regional utility planning is unprecedented, according to the challenge.

    By June 26, 2025
  • Image of Meta's Fort Worth, Texas, data center
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    Courtesy of DPR Construction
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    Texas law gives grid operator power to disconnect data centers during crisis

    The new law pairs mandatory curtailment with a voluntary demand response procurement program.

    By Brian Martucci • June 25, 2025
  • A crane lowers a battery storage container onto a concrete pad.
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    Courtesy of IMCO Construction
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    Prevalon brings 80-MW battery storage online for Idaho Power

    Idaho Power could add an additional 705 MW of storage in the next four years, per its draft integrated resource plan. 

    By June 25, 2025
  • A forest fire burns under a high voltage transmission line in California.
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    My Photo Buddy via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    How electric companies can reduce liability risks from climate change

    Upgrading infrastructure, embracing renewables and collaborating with governments and communities are no longer optional if companies want to ease legal risks and maintain social license to operate.

    By Aaron Rokstad • June 24, 2025
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    Chris Hondros/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Summer power bills are going up, federal government warns

    Consumers will see a “slight increase” in power bills this summer, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said Monday. But that analysis is based on expectations for cooler weather.

    By June 24, 2025
  • Smoke stack of coal power plant
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    martin_33 via Getty Images
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    Who should pay to keep Michigan coal plant running past its retirement date?

    Groups told federal regulators that making MISO customers pay for a power plant that does not benefit them would violate the Federal Power Act’s cost causation requirement.

    By June 23, 2025
  • Solar panels on a warehouse.
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    Bilanol via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Behind-the-meter flexibility is the best response to investment uncertainty

    Utilities investing in behind-the-meter flexibility are positioning themselves to continue delivering clean, affordable and reliable energy to ratepayers in the long run.

    By Molly Podolefsky • June 23, 2025
  • Charging an electric car at home during the summer
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    SimonSkafar via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by ChargeScape

    ChargeScape’s EV Virtual Power Plant ensures summertime grid reliability

    ChargeScape is building the nation's largest electric vehicle Virtual Power Plant.

    June 23, 2025
  • Data center
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    imaginima via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by American Wire Group

    The rapid expansion of data centers across the U.S. and the critical role of renewable energy in powering the grid

    The exponential growth of data centers across the United States is transforming the energy landscape.

    June 23, 2025
  • A sunny San Antonio, Texas skyline with several very tall buildings in frame.
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    Hal Bergman via Getty Images
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    CenterPoint sends mobile generators to San Antonio to support Texas grid

    “CenterPoint will receive no revenue or profit from the 15 large units based on the agreement,” the utility said Monday.

    By June 20, 2025
  • A power plant sites next to a river.
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    Permission granted by Consumers Energy
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    Groups appeal DOE ‘emergency’ order keeping Michigan plant online

    “There is no energy emergency in our country … and it is illegal to invoke a made-up emergency to overturn a long-planned plant retirement,” the Sierra Club’s Greg Wannier said.

    By Updated June 20, 2025
  • MISO control room
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    Permission granted by Midcontinent Independent System Operator
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    NERC upgrades MISO reliability risk after ‘data mismatch’ discovered

    The Midcontinent Independent System Operator faces an elevated risk of energy shortfalls over the next few years but had been classified by NERC as facing a more dire “high risk.”

    By June 18, 2025
  • A field of solar panels and windmills in the desert.
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    adamkaz via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Senate: Don’t fumble the energy future

    Ending clean energy tax deductions would limit power supply and raise electricity prices. It would be like sending a great football team to compete in the Super Bowl without cleats.

    By Dean Granoff • June 17, 2025
  • Schneider Electric, California energy resilience during emergencies
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    petmal via Getty Images
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    Microgrids keep the lights on for wildfire-prone California facilities

    But federal tax changes under consideration in Congress could make microgrids more expensive for schools and localities that provide services during emergencies.

    By Brian Martucci • June 16, 2025
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    Wikipedia. (2024). "2024 RTO Map" [jpg]. Retrieved from WikiCommons.
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    Deep Dive

    Will ERCOT’s streamlined connect-and-manage approach work for other markets?

    ERCOT’s single-state, energy-only interconnection process doesn’t include other markets’ deliverability requirements and generator cost certainty needs.

    By June 16, 2025
  • A partly built gas-fired power plant with yellow cranes.
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    Aaron Yoder via Getty Images
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    State regulators, utilities support SPP fast-track interconnection plan

    But NextEra Energy Resources, clean energy trade groups and others contend it would give utilities a pathway to exclude independent power producers from the process.

    By June 13, 2025