Texas energy market watchdog resigns as regulators seek more control over monitor’s role

Utility regulators are planning changes to the market monitor’s role, raising concerns about the position’s independence.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2023

In the fight against energy poverty, utilities should make the most of consumption data

Energy insecurity has ramifications for health, safety, and customer equity. In the near-term, multiple opportunities exist for utilities to increase transparency, improve bill predictability, and provide personalized insights and support.

By Essie Snell • Nov. 13, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

The expanding role of IT governance for utilities

Driving collaborative decision-making for key initiatives, risk management and investment decisions.

Nov. 13, 2023

US grid rules preclude reliability, security benefits of cloud computing, experts warn

Incorporating new technologies into critical infrastructure protection standards can be “painful and time consuming,” said Joseph Mosher, portfolio manager at EDF Renewables.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2023

EPA official says power plant carbon rule may need changes as groups stress reliability concerns

The EPA is meeting with the North American Electric Reliability Corp., grid operators and others as it refines its power plant proposal, an agency official said during a FERC reliability conference Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 10, 2023

FERC approves PJM’s Exelon-oriented $796M transmission plan over Maryland objections

FERC Commissioner Allison Clements urged PJM to consider more proactive transmission planning to address reliability needs.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 10, 2023

We need power market rules to reflect the grid as it is today, not as it was 70 years ago

To allow competitive markets to fulfill their potentials, reforms will be required that prioritize reliability, efficient permitting, the integration of new commercially viable resources, and innovation.

By Todd Snitchler • Nov. 10, 2023

The rate cases are coming: How will utility customers react?

Strong customer opposition to current rate cases could leave utilities in the lurch when it comes to raising funds they need to make good on their promises to improve the safety and sustainability of their operations.

By Mark Spalinger • Nov. 9, 2023

Kentucky PSC partly approves PPL’s $2.1B plan to retire coal, add gas, solar and storage

The commission approved a 125 MW/500 MWh battery energy storage facility, which it said will give LG&E/KU insight into operating and integrating large-scale storage to meet customer demand.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 8, 2023

Texas voters approve $10B energy fund, with most going to build gas-fired power plants

The fund will be administered by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, with $7.2 billion allocated for new construction or upgrades of dispatchable power generation. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2023

Where do cellular generational standards come from, and what is 6G?

What exactly does “6G” mean? The development of cellular generations involves a collaborative effort between the International Telecommunications Union and 3GPP.

By Mathew Eshpeter, Technical Consultant, Burns & McDonnell • Nov. 6, 2023

MISO capacity proposal draws mixed reviews at FERC. Mississippi PSC calls it ‘hokum.’

The Organization of MISO States backs the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s proposal to change its capacity auctions, but Entergy, Southern utility regulators and environmental groups oppose parts of the plan.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 6, 2023

Duke, others leverage new IRA rules to finance clean energy, but cost, complexity are hurdles

New tax credit provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act could more than triple the $20 billion annual tax equity market that today finances clean energy in the U.S., if various challenges can be overcome.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2023

How America’s grid modernization stakes echo Eisenhower’s interstate revolution

Enacting sound policies that deliver a 21st century grid and spur interregional transmission development will drive tremendous economic and other benefits like our interstate highway system has done.

By Jose Zayas • Nov. 6, 2023

More MISO-PJM transmission transfer capacity could save over $15B by 2035: report

The American Council on Renewable Energy called on the PJM Interconnection to adopt a proactive, multi-value transmission planning approach.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 3, 2023

FERC Order 2023 won’t solve fundamental interconnection problems: Commissioner Clements

“The reality is, when we have these complex issues, you don't just solve it, like the good old days, with one rule,” Clements said Thursday. “This is going to be a series of steps.”

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 3, 2023

DOE picks National Grid, Berkshire Hathaway, Grid United transmission projects in first capacity buys

The planned transmission projects in New England and the West could carry 3.7 GW of clean energy while bolstering grid resilience, DOE said Monday.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 30, 2023

Supply Chain and Asset Traceability for Electric (SCATE) with Unique IDs and Smart Tags

A new IEEE Industry Connection program is developing a specification for Unique IDs and Smart Tags to enable supply chain and asset traceability.

By Alicia Farag • Oct. 30, 2023

CPUC proposals for PG&E revenues insufficient for necessary safety work: CEO Poppe

A ratepayer advocate stressed, however, that utilities can’t have a blank check approach to safety.

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 27, 2023

131 companies press for 100% decarbonized power systems in all countries by 2040

The coalition, which includes companies like EDP and Ørsted and represents nearly $1 trillion in annual revenue, is asking policymakers to end reliance on fossil fuels through regulations and clean-energy investments.

By Zoya Mirza • Oct. 27, 2023

Key lessons for an economical and reliable path to a 100% clean electricity system

While the near- and mid-term path to reach an 80%-90% clean system is relatively clear, the technological mix of the final leg is still highly uncertain.

By Derek Stenclik and Priya Sreedharan • Oct. 27, 2023

DOE issues draft plan for speeding up, improving grid interconnections

The draft road map goes beyond the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s recent interconnection reform rule, in part by calling for fast-track interconnection options.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 26, 2023

Bloom Energy, Google, others back microgrid tax credit extension

The push for the microgrid controller investment tax credit extension comes amid growth but also emerging challenges for the sector.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 25, 2023

Princeton’s Zero Lab has it wrong on corporate renewable energy procurement and emissions

The authors disagree with Zero Lab’s core conclusion that any procurement strategy other than hourly matching will have “zero or near-zero long-run impact on system-level CO2 emissions.”

By Jake Oster, Rob Threlkeld, Chad Reed and Hannah Hunt • Oct. 25, 2023

AI can play a game-changing role in the clean energy transformation

People need to be trained on how and when to use AI. Just because you can use AI to solve a problem doesn’t mean you should.

By Jeremy Renshaw • Oct. 24, 2023