FERC approves incentive framework for voluntary cybersecurity investments

In the final rule, the federal agency dropped a proposed 2% return on equity from the incentives utilities can get for certain cyber investments.

By Ethan Howland • April 24, 2023

NREL, UL publish requirements for a new distributed energy resource cybersecurity standard

UL Solutions has published testing and certification requirements that will be converted into standard UL 2941 after review by the company’s standard technical panel.

By Robert Walton • April 24, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

Ransomware is a major threat to smaller utilities, manufacturers and health care providers: report

Median losses associated with a successful ransomware attack could threaten 30% of a small utility’s operating income, according to the new research.

By Robert Walton • April 18, 2023

NYISO: Transmission security margins sufficient for the state, but NYC faces reliability risks

“Potential heatwaves of various degrees pose risks throughout the next 10 years, especially in 2025,” NYISO said.

By Stephen Singer • April 17, 2023

NERC opposes expanding physical security rules for critical substations following Duke, PSE, other attacks

The scope of physical security rules for critical substations “appropriately focuses limited industry resources,” but other approaches may be considered, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. said Friday.

By Robert Walton • April 17, 2023

PJM asks FERC to help resolve LS Power, 7 other complaints about $1.8B in Winter Storm Elliott penalties

“There is value to a prompt resolution of these heavily contested non-performance charges … in a manner that does not lead to market disruption, defaults, bankruptcies and the physical loss of assets,” PJM said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • April 17, 2023

After months of Russian attacks, Ukraine’s grid resumes electricity exports to EU. How did it survive?

Despite its efforts, Ukraine lost approximately 10 GW of generation and 43% of its high voltage transmission network was destroyed in Russian attacks from October to February.

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2023

ABB plans $40M New Mexico plant to fortify US electric grid

The expansion comes as more electric utility providers embark on grid hardening initiatives.

By Megan Ruggles • April 11, 2023

Puerto Rico’s utility requests $8.2B in federal investment for grid reliability projects: LUMA

Federal funding will help LUMA develop clean energy microgrids and install grid automation technology to improve reliability, officials said.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2023

Physical attacks on North American power grid rose more than 10% last year: NERC

The electric system is a "hyper complex risk environment," NERC President and CEO Jim Robb said. Software vulnerabilities are being discovered "at an unprecedentedly high rate."

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2023

California’s grid operator calls for $9.3B in transmission investments over next decade

The state’s forecasted electricity needs have been rapidly increasing, accelerating the pace at which new transmission infrastructure needs to be developed.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 6, 2023

Cybersecurity: The case for zero trust in modern energy networks – part 2

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

April 3, 2023

As California grid interconnection requests triple, analysts assess CAISO’s moves to handle the influx

The state’s current interconnection processes were designed around a cadence that won’t work as it moves towards much larger volumes of clean energy generation, experts say. 

By Kavya Balaraman • March 30, 2023

Texas regulators question common reliability metric as they pursue new standard for ERCOT grid

Requiring planning margins to ensure load shedding occurs only once a decade is an outdated approach that ignores the realities of the modern power grid, some experts warn.

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2023

PG&E faces time crunch on Diablo Canyon license renewal as California weighs nuclear plant’s future

The utility, which plans to apply for a 20-year license renewal for the 2.2-GW plant at the end of 2023, will need to complete roughly five years of work in a year and a half, a company executive said.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 24, 2023

DOE cyber chief gets bipartisan grilling as senators question US reliance on China for grid equipment

U.S. lawmakers on Thursday pressed the head of DOE’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response Preparedness for details about foreign-manufactured components but got few answers.

By Robert Walton • March 24, 2023

As CISA chief notes lack of Russian cyberattacks against US, experts focus on enhancing nuclear reactor security

Protecting the nation’s nuclear energy resources will require a balance of offensive and defensive capabilities, experts agree. There is also optimism for enhanced safety at advanced reactors.

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2023

FERC expands cybersecurity supply chain standards to low-impact assets

“To not protect these [bulk electric system] assets against one of the most frequent attack scenarios — supply chain — would be a big mistake,” said Willie Phillips, acting chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Ethan Howland • March 16, 2023

Extreme weather events are expanding — the US power grid is not

FERC, governors, state regulators and utilities should focus their efforts on interregional transmission development by encouraging investments that will yield significant long-term benefits.

By Barbara Tyran • March 16, 2023

CISA launches ransomware warning pilot for critical infrastructure providers

The Joint Ransomware Task Force is coordinating the program, called the Ransomware Vulnerability Warning Pilot, actively warning organizations about internet-accessible vulnerabilities linked to known threat actors.

By David Jones • March 15, 2023

NERC issues alert, recommendations to solar resources following inverter-based grid disturbances

The rapid interconnection of inverter-based resources “poses a high risk to grid reliability,” warned the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2023

EPA, DOE issue framework for maintaining grid reliability during energy transition

The agencies will consider “short-term interventions” to address emerging reliability risks, according to the agreement released Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • March 10, 2023

California regulators set to launch proceeding to investigate natural gas price spikes this winter

With natural-gas fired generators producing about half of the state's electricity, the CPUC is looking at how high gas prices have affected California's power markets.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 10, 2023

New White House cyber strategy could drive utility costs higher, warns security expert

A national approach to cybersecurity will likely mean higher costs for utilities and the communities they serve, said Ethan Schmertzler, CEO of operational technology security firm Dispel.

By Robert Walton • March 6, 2023

White House releases national cyber strategy, shifting security burden

The long-anticipated policy will push the technology industry to shoulder more of the load for cyber risk, while promoting long-term investments and global cooperation against common threats. 

By David Jones • March 2, 2023