Managing high-volume infrastructure deployment

Learn how industry experts are creating a distributed, decarbonized and digitized electric grid.

April 18, 2022

Arizona regulators deny SRP gas plant expansion, citing community impacts and insufficient supporting evidence

Salt River Project said the decision creates a near-term resource issue and that it will continue to evaluate its "generation and market options."

By Robert Walton • April 13, 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

Reliability concerns drive need for energy market design reforms, but regions diverge in FERC proceeding

Filings from FERC proceedings show a one-size-fits-all reform can't sufficiently address regional market diversity, but federal guidelines can target growing uncertainties and costs from rising variable and distributed resource penetrations.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 11, 2022

This is not a dress rehearsal: What critical infrastructure owners and operators can do right now to defend against nation-state threats

Grid modernization has created a complex ecosystem of network-connected equipment. Fortunately, there are immediate actions that industrial operators and utilities can take.

April 11, 2022

NERC's mock cyberattack reveals 'urgent need' to bolster grid restoration communication systems

In the event of an attack and widespread outage, "the loss of communications would essentially halt the grid restoration process," according to a North American Electric Reliability Corp. report.

By Robert Walton • April 8, 2022

California approves $11.7M vehicle-to-grid pilots in PG&E footprint

The programs will support the build-out of bidirectional charging equipment, which regulators say can provide broader resiliency benefits.

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated May 6, 2022

Constellation NewEnergy agrees to pay $4.7M to settle allegations it violated CAISO's market rules

FERC said the retail energy provider failed to provide power twice when called upon by the California grid operator in 2017.

By Ethan Howland • March 30, 2022

Hawaiian Electric to revisit Maui capacity planning amid supply chain concern

The utility has identified a portfolio of measures — including a battery bonus program — it believes will ensure that Maui continues to receive reliable electric service.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 24, 2022

FBI: US energy sector faces 'reconnaissance, scanning' by Russian hackers; 5 companies targeted

Russian hackers may be exploring the potential for attacks on the U.S. energy sector, and several companies have experienced "abnormal scanning" activities, according to the the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2022

White House repeats warnings to critical infrastructure sectors about possible Russia cyber retaliation

The broad warnings come after federal authorities convened more than 100 critical infrastructure organizations to share classified cyberthreat information.  

By David Jones • March 22, 2022

DOE turns to energy storage to build resilience, energy affordability in underserved communities

More than 30% of all households in the U.S. have experienced energy insecurity, according to the DOE. Energy storage projects may be able to help.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 21, 2022

Helping US utilities target grid resilience with digitalization

Having resilient and reliable power is critical for vital services such as healthcare, transportation and financial systems. When smart technologies are in place, power outages can be avoided.

March 21, 2022

What cyber incident reporting rules mean for critical infrastructure

The goal of the legislation is provide legal cover for companies to share threat intelligence with law enforcement and government agencies.

By David Jones • March 16, 2022

Congress adds historic cyber incident reporting rule to massive $1.5 trillion spending package

Key members of Congress and CISA say the bill will help protect critical infrastructure against malicious attacks.

By David Jones • March 15, 2022

SEC pushes for tougher cybersecurity disclosure rules

SEC Chair Gary Gensler said investors demand more detailed information about how companies seek to curb the risk and costs of cyberattacks.

By Jim Tyson • March 10, 2022

Republicans use EV hearing to knock Biden's clean energy policy as US bans oil and gas imports from Russia

The White House on Tuesday warned that drivers may see higher prices at the pump. Clean energy advocates say it is a reminder the country must shift away from fossil fuels.

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2022

PG&E, GM initiative will pilot use of electric vehicles to power homes in Northern California

“We see this as ... electric vehicles becoming mobile power sources or mobile batteries, if you will, offering greater energy reliability and resilience,” PG&E executive Aaron August said.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 8, 2022

Could Russia's invasion of Ukraine mean fewer near-term cyberattacks on US utilities?

U.S. critical infrastructure providers are on high alert, but — at least for now — the conflict in Europe could signal a lull in utility ransomware attacks, according to one security consultant.

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2022

Texas just dodged a repeat of 2021 outages, but its power sector has a long way to go, analysts say

Texas has weatherized its generators and protected critical infrastructure, but additional market reforms, new technologies, regional support and energy efficiency are still required, policymakers and analysts agreed

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2022

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

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