Technology

GE turbine troubles 'significant' but not end of its power business, analyst says

GE is facing performance problems with its most advanced gas turbine, which faces a $71 billion order backlog, but there is still hope for the turbine business, one analyst says.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 12, 2018

Q&A

How Coral Gables, FL uses smart tech to prepare for hurricane season

As Florida braces for Hurricane Michael, the city will rely on a "well-planned and engineered network" to maintain critical communications and boost resiliency. 

By Chris Teale • Oct. 09, 2018

Russian hackers indicted for targeting nuclear firm Westinghouse Electric

The hackers allegedly tried to steal the login credentials for Westinghouse employees involved in advanced nuclear reactor development — a common tactic in cyberattacks. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 05, 2018

DOE awards $28M to 11 cybersecurity projects

Hacking attempts aimed at the U.S. electric grid are becoming more sophisticated and will require a new generation of security technology.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 03, 2018

EPA MATS rollback threatens DOE carbon capture priorities, critics warn

Allowing utilities to stop using pollution scrubbers mandated under the EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards could raise the price for coal plants to adopt carbon capture, proponents of the technology said. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 02, 2018

New solar hybrid combines energy storage with record system efficiency

Scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Saudi Arabia say they have developed a device that could help electrify remote areas.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 01, 2018

DOE moves to slash cost of carbon capture for coal-fired power plants

The White House is not letting up on its efforts to turn around the decline of coal-fired power plants, allocating $30 million for research into carbon dioxide capture technologies.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 01, 2018

PSEG unveils 6-year clean energy plan, spending $2.8B on energy efficiency

The $4 billion plan includes investments in energy storage, smart meters and electric vehicle infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2018

Gates, Bezos invest $1B in 7 additional energy startups

The billionaires are funding projects that address emissions concerns and energy efficiency through their new venture capital initiative. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 28, 2018

NYPA head Quiniones outlines next steps to digitize the grid

Over the next two years, the New York Power Authority's digitization initiative will focus on adding sensors and identifying third-party partners for its data-driven decision support system, CEO Gil Quiniones says.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 27, 2018

USDA invests $400M in rural electricity upgrades, smart grids

The largest loan will send $68.5 million to back a solar farm run by NextEra Energy Resources in Arkansas, which could meet the needs of 21,000 homes.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 24, 2018

Trouble in Texas causes shutdown of advanced GE turbine

One of the most advanced gas turbine engines on the market, GE's 7HA, is experiencing serious problems.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 21, 2018

Connecticut utilities steel themselves for successful cyber intrusions

Connecticut's utilities are "spending more time, devoting more resources," to combating cybersecurity threats, according to a new report from the state's government and utilities. So far, they have been successful.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 20, 2018

DOE seeks 100-hour energy storage systems, new battery materials

DOE is allocating about $28 million for 10 projects that aim to significantly increase energy storage duration and $120 million for the Joint Center for Energy Story Research program on new battery materials.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 19, 2018

DOE seeks to ensure efficiency rules don't hinder smart appliance growth

The agency on Monday issued a request for information on emerging market trends and innovations in smart appliances and commercial equipment.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 18, 2018

NYPA to create real‑time simulation model of New York's transmission system

The New York Power Authority announced plans to develop the Advanced Grid Innovation Laboratory for Energy at its White Plains headquarters.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2018

New Hampshire to use $4.6M of VW settlement to build EV infrastructure

The funds come from a $15 billion settlement between Volkswagen and the U.S. government after the automaker was caught rigging vehicle emissions tests.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2018

EMotorWerks provides CAISO with 30 MW of DR through smart EV charging

The EV chargers act as a virtual battery, providing up to 70 MWh of storage capacity to the California ISO market.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 12, 2018

Initiative gives cities equal access to competitive EV bids

The Climate Mayors Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative provides an online portal for cities to bid on the vehicles and charging infrastructure.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 12, 2018

Sonnen aims to unify all aspects of the smart home

Through its new smart energy management system, Sonnen will unite home automation, residential solar and energy storage with intelligent load control.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 06, 2018

Opinion

Cyberthreats require strengthened standards, increased government collaboration

Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman Brien Sheahan and former FERC Commissioner Robert Powelson wrote about the importance of establishing cybersecurity compliance standards at the distribution level.

By Brien J. Sheahan and Robert F. Powelson

Opinion

Get ready for sticker shock on California's last-minute clean energy proposals

The state's well-intentioned ideas aiming to advance renewable energy would unfortunately commit Californians to resource decisions for the next 10 years and limit investment in lower-cost technologies.

By Barry Moline

As Kentucky regulators reject smart meter plans, troubling trend continues for AMI

Kentucky Utilities and Louisville Gas & Electric "failed to provide sufficient evidence" that smart meters would benefit customers, regulators ruled last week.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2018