Complex challenges call for complementary solutions

Today's grid challenges are often better addressed with strategic use of complementary technologies than with deployment of a single solution.

Oct. 10, 2022

97% of smart meters fail to provide promised customer benefits. Can $3B in new funding change that?

Interoperability standards can deliver “non-discriminatory access” to real-time data from new smart meters to fulfill promises of customer savings and other system benefits, energy managers say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 5, 2022

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

Biden pledges to transform Puerto Rico’s power system as thousands remain without power

In the two weeks since Hurricane Fiona devastated the island, LUMA Energy says it has restored service to 93% of customers. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 4, 2022

PNM proposes 6-year, $344M grid modernization plan including smart meters for all customers

Low-income areas will receive prioritization for distribution system upgrades and smart meter installation, the utility said.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 4, 2022

The California energy problem is structural, not political

The deregulation experiment in California that created energy markets isn't working for reliability or for customers. Unless it is addressed, things will only get worse, the author writes.

By Brad Viator • Sept. 29, 2022

FERC’s Glick has ‘significant concerns’ over proposed incentives for utility cybersecurity investments

Cyber threats may be better addressed through mandatory standards instead of via incentives that were proposed Thursday, according to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Richard Glick.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 23, 2022

FERC commissioners pursue market, non-market answers to ISO-NE’s ‘dire’ winter reliability risks

“The region is still heavily reliant on [liquefied natural gas] imports, and that's just not sustainable,” Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Richard Glick said.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 23, 2022

Industrial control systems face more cyber risks than IT, expert testifies

Most ICS technology was designed more than 20 years ago and built without cyber resilience, Idaho National Laboratory's Vergle Gipson said. 

By David Jones • Sept. 19, 2022

Understanding potential consequence from asset ignited wildfires: it’s more than just ignition modeling

Energy utilities across the United States are challenged with reducing wildfire risk and increasing their reliability as part of their on-going operations.

By David Buckley, COO, Technosylva • Sept. 19, 2022

Vegetation inspection, a challenge for utilities

The “Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid” program is set to reinforce and modernize the American electricity grid, making it more resilient against extreme weather events and other natural disasters.

Sept. 15, 2022

Fixing California’s resource adequacy woes

The real questions are what level of bulk reliability we want and whether we are willing to invest in the institutional change needed to support it, the author writes.

By Fredrich Kahrl • Sept. 14, 2022

Energy providers hit by North Korea-linked Lazarus exploiting Log4j VMware vulnerabilities

Cisco Talos researchers observed the advanced persistent threat actor infiltrating networks during a six-month campaign.

By Matt Kapko • Sept. 13, 2022

California planned to close down its last nuclear plant by 2025 and replace it with clean energy. What went wrong?

Efforts to replace the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant faced multiple challenges, including disruptions to global supply chains.

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 9, 2022

California ISO narrowly avoids rolling outages as peak demand hits record 52 GW

The grid operator issued an emergency energy alert around 5:15 pm Pacific time last night but ended it about three hours later with no load shed, it said.

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 7, 2022

California legislature aims for 90% clean electricity by 2035 as part of sweeping climate package

The legislature also approved SB 846, a bill to extend the life of the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant’s two units through the end of the decade, based on a Newsom administration proposal.

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 2, 2022

California lawmakers vote to extend Diablo Canyon as heat wave forces governor to declare grid emergency

Extending the life of the Diablo Canyon nuclear facility “will provide us with the capacity to de-risk” the power grid, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday.

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 1, 2022

California nears vote on proposal to keep Diablo Canyon nuclear plant online as deadlines loom

The final version of the Newsom administration’s proposal would provide the state with the option to extend the plant’s two units – originally scheduled to shut down in 2024 and 2025 – for another five years.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 31, 2022

ISO New England floats ‘energy reserve’ to ensure grid reliability, access to LNG at Everett terminal

Long-term regional plans call for reducing the need for imported LNG, but for now, the Everett terminal outside Boston remains key to New England energy adequacy.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2022

Clashes brew over Diablo Canyon extension plan as 40% of expected renewables fail to come online

The debate around the future of Diablo Canyon comes as California faces a combination of threats to grid reliability, including the planned retirement of a suite of natural gas plants and projected increases in electricity demand. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 29, 2022

Sustainability requires new thinking

GIS is not just about making maps, but uncovering secrets buried in data that improve sustainability.

Aug. 29, 2022

Florida Power & Light unveils plane-sized drone for post-storm inspections

The drone can travel into storm-force winds and should be operational this year, according to the utility.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 19, 2022

DOE to support development of ‘next-generation cyber tools’ to protect grid

The agency announced $45 million will be available for up to 15 “next-generation” cybersecurity research, development and demonstration projects.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 18, 2022

California unveils proposal to keep Diablo Canyon nuclear plant open with $1.4B loan to PG&E

The draft legislative language would direct regulators to keep the plant’s two units online through 2029 and 2030 while also exploring the option to operate Diablo Canyon until 2035. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 16, 2022

A different look at GIS substation technology

GIS is proving to be an attractive solution outside of urban environments for its reliability, reduced maintenance, and smaller environmental impact.

Aug. 15, 2022

Hawaiian Electric braces for bill increases amid high oil prices, coal plant retirement

At the same time, the company sees a lot of potential upside from the Inflation Reduction Act, executives said during an earnings call Monday. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 8, 2022