'Maybe it's not the right approach anymore' — FERC Chair Glick mulls new security paradigm for power sector

The electric industry is considering a new approach to securing "low-impact" grid assets, which have typically had fewer protections in place but are increasingly seen as vulnerable to cyberattacks.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 4, 2021

MISO, ISO-NE execs stress need for new power supply planning framework at FERC reliability meeting

Increasing wildfires, heat domes and deep freezes require a new paradigm for resource adequacy planning, experts from grid operators told FERC.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 1, 2021

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

As California's solar net metering battle goes to regulators, a focus on reliability may be the best answer

The reliability value of solar plus storage in ensuring resource adequacy might be the key to solar's future, according to Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies Executive Director V. John White.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 1, 2021

State, federal actions show growing push for a nuclear role in reaching net zero emissions

Former critics of nuclear power agree, financial support may be justified for firm power options to tackle climate change and get over the net zero emissions finish line.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2021

How CISA's head wants to reform federal cybersecurity

Without a federal incident reporting law, CISA and the private sector lack efficient information-sharing capabilites, Director Jen Easterly said.

By Samantha Schwartz • Sept. 27, 2021

FERC Chair Glick wants mandatory winterization standards for power plants following Texas grid failure

Chairman Richard Glick said FERC would not permit the weakening of the recent recommendations, which one expert said could lead to $1 million per-day penalties for power plants that fail to prepare for climate change.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 24, 2021

New Orleans City Council votes to investigate Entergy's Ida-related failures

City leaders have also asked state regulators and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to investigate the company, with a particular focus on transmission failures.

By Robert Walton • Updated Sept. 24, 2021

What utility companies need to know about software bill of materials

The Biden administration wants more transparency in the software supply chain. It's an area where utility companies have already been collaborating with the federal government.

By Samantha Schwartz • Sept. 22, 2021

Energy, utility sectors feel 'most exposed' to cybersecurity threats, survey finds

However, the report also found energy and utility executives feel more resilient to technology risks as their "businesses have become adept at dealing with disruption more generally."

By Samantha Schwartz • Sept. 20, 2021

Operations management – an oxymoron?

Learn how you can use GIS to add structure to your operational processes to help make chaotic events more manageable.

By Bill Meehan • Sept. 20, 2021

New Orleans council chief calls for investigation into Entergy's Hurricane Ida response

Councilmember Helena Moreno plans to introduce a resolution calling for an investigation into Entergy’s storm response and related issues at the City Council’s Sept. 22 meeting.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Sept. 17, 2021

Vendor role in NERC's upcoming cyberattack exercise unclear despite growing power sector threat

About a quarter of electric power utilities were vulnerable to hackers via the SolarWinds attack, but the organization overseeing grid security does not invite software vendors to its biennial security exercise.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 17, 2021

Boards rethink response playbook as ransomware surges

Corporate boards are no longer rubber-stamping assurances from CIOs or CISOs but are bringing in outside experts, asking more questions and preparing for the risk of personal liability.

By David Jones • Sept. 15, 2021

Modernizing America's power grid to withstand an uncertain, climate changing future

Super storms, extreme heat, wildfires – is America's power grid ready for the future? Learn why America's power industry needs to modernize the power grid for resiliency in anticipation of a rollercoaster future driven by climate change.

By Mark Scheid, P.E., Associate Director – Key Clients, Ulteig • Sept. 13, 2021

Full and open transmission competition is key to boosting grid reliability and renewables in California

We need to put all options on the table to keep the lights on for California while we break new ground in the energy transition, writes Stanford University's Michael Wara.

By Michael Wara • Sept. 3, 2021

With FERC now split 2-2, clean energy advocates call for caution and urgency to fill vacant seat

It is "critical" that President Joe Biden nominates the right person to break ties at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, according to Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 3, 2021

Time running out for Exelon's Byron and Dresden nuclear plants as Illinois Senate passes major energy bill

The state Senate's clean energy package, which still needs to pass the House of Representatives, would provide nearly $700 million over five years for the nuclear power sector.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Sept. 2, 2021

Transmission tower destroyed by Ida likely to complicate power restoration in New Orleans, experts say

As Entergy scrambles to restore power in the Gulf region, the collapse of a major transmission tower could complicate matters, experts say.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Aug. 31, 2021

California utilities are tackling climate adaptation, other safety work amid stretched resources

"Something as simple as getting iPads to help our field teams do patrols is starting to be challenging," one utility executive told the California Public Utilities Commission at a meeting Wednesday. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 26, 2021

Biden administration expands cybersecurity initiative piloted by electric sector

At a cybersecurity summit with leaders from energy, finance, technology and other sectors, the administration also announced efforts to improve the security and integrity of industry supply chains.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2021

Historic drought slashes hydropower generation in California, other Western states

The decline in hydropower, and the scramble to replace it with other sources, is putting financial pressure on local utilities in Western states.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Aug. 24, 2021

California regulatory judge recommends more aggressive 2030 emissions target for power sector

The ruling also touches on broader reliability issues in the state, including Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent emergency proclamation and the potential for offshore wind development.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 18, 2021

While bulk power system remains reliable, key metric suggests worrying trend, NERC finds

Operator-initiated load shedding in 2020 reached its highest point in the last five years, driven by extreme weather. NERC officials say that could turn into a trend, as the metric has already worsened this year.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 18, 2021

Utility regulators need to be a lot more proactive on climate resilience. Here's how they can start.

As the country grapples with accelerating consequences from extreme weather events, new regulatory frameworks are needed to guide utility investments for added resilience, the authors write.

By Maria Bocanegra and Mishal Thadani • Aug. 17, 2021

FERC's Chatterjee laments the politicization of grid resilience in wake of ERCOT, CAISO struggles

The commissioner said he worries his rhetoric that focused on potential plans to save ailing coal plants early in his tenure as chair may have fueled a partisan divide that equates resiliency issues with the use of certain fuels.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 12, 2021