Technology
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Utilities are 'the new cyber battlefield,' as US ramps up pressure on Russia's electric grid
With utilities in the cross-hairs of malicious actors, experts say there are health, safety and economic risks for those who rely on the grid, particularly if escalation continues.
By Robert Walton • June 18, 2019 -
Study: Bitcoin mining has carbon footprint comparable to Kansas City, MO
Cities have embraced Bitcoin and other blockchain technology as a way to handle everything from real estate transactions to vehicle communications.
By Jason Plautz • June 17, 2019 -
SponsoredAutomating processes helps utility and service providers mitigate risk
Utilities must have rigorous record-keeping systems in place with safety-oriented operational procedures that are transparent, efficient, and timely.
By Ross Smith, Digital Utility Expert • June 13, 2019 -
SponsoredFronius Symo advanced inverter receives first SunSpec rapid shutdown certification
The SunSpec Alliance foundation was set by a large group of solar industry firms dedicating time to the development of a SunSpec open source communications interface to meet NEC 2017 requirements
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GE: Hydrogen trumps CCS in preserving gas turbines in a carbon-free grid
The company said its gas turbines are able to handle increasing amounts of hydrogen fuel, lowering the resulting emissions and moving the technology toward burning 100% carbon-free hydrogen.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 11, 2019 -
Utilities must address widening business-residential knowledge gap on clean energy: Deloitte
Both segments are concerned about climate change — and, as technology improves, success in the power sector will depend on who understands their customer best, Deloitte executives say.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 11, 2019 -
SponsoredUtility companies and service providers at a breaking point
Service providers must prioritize digitization to create a competitive advantage for themselves.
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OpinionNo more swivel chairs: Utility customer service goes modern
Customer relationship management vendors are embracing an "App Store approach" that allows utilities to consolidate customer data and integrate third-party solutions on a single platform.
By Brian Bowen • June 05, 2019 -
OpinionUtility networking options are growing, but with uncertainty and complexity for long-term planners
Utilities today face a complex array of possible strategies thanks to a variety of new networking technologies, purchasing models, and spectrum options combined with the legacy networks currently under management.
By Richelle Elberg • June 03, 2019 -
Utah lays claim to world's largest renewable storage project
The 1 GW project, being developed by Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems and Magnum Development, would utilize a range of technologies, including renewable hydrogen, large-scale flow batteries.
By Robert Walton • May 31, 2019 -
To decarbonize US economy, C2ES foresees large corporate investments and maybe a carbon tax
The environmental nonprofit released three scenarios to reduce U.S. carbon emissions 80% below 2005 levels by 2050, each driven by the fact that the power, transportation and building sectors are interlinked.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2019 -
Senate targets nuclear, carbon capture support as pressure mounts for Republican climate response
While the Republican-led Senate is prioritizing baseload power generation and technologies that would clean up coal plants, both chambers are supporting energy storage.
By Catherine Morehouse • May 24, 2019 -
SponsoredScaling cybersecurity in the age of IoT
Considering the scale of IoT, trying to secure its data and devices is essentially a challenge beyond human capabilities, both physical and economic.
By Mazi Fayazfar, CTO Energy & Utilities, Atos N. America • May 23, 2019 -
National Grid says no new NYC gas customers until state approves pipeline
New York regulators denied a permit last week, ruling the Williams Cos' pipeline that would relieve natural gas congestion in the New York City Area could harm aquatic life.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 22, 2019 -
Senators launch bipartisan initiative on long term solutions to expiring energy tax credits
Finance Committee task forces are expected to produce options by the end of June that can be enacted this year while clean energy advocates are pushing to also give storage access to tax credits.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 21, 2019 -
Tesla issues software update over battery fire concerns
The wireless update will adjust battery settings in all Model S and Model X cars after several high-profile explosions in Asia.
By Jason Plautz • May 17, 2019 -
Solar, wind industries urge feds to smooth deployment kinks
Transmission, soft cost reductions and greater resource efficiency require federal investment to maximize technology growth, industry leaders told the House Subcommittee on Energy Wednesday.
By Catherine Morehouse • May 16, 2019 -
Anbaric to flip Massachusetts coal plant site into offshore wind facility with 400 MW storage
The former Brayton plant site, symbolic of the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, will also have a 1,200 MW high-voltage direct current converter.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 14, 2019 -
Illinois utilities push cloud computing rules to remove tech investment disincentive
State regulators have been working for more than a year to change accounting rules that have "not kept pace with technological innovation.”
By Robert Walton • May 13, 2019 -
US power sector recognizes cyber risks, but violations show enforcement issues
Cyber violations by some of the largest utilities in the country have raised questions about the industry's commitment to cybersecurity. Critics say the industry has to step up as it can't afford to wait for a large-scale attack.
By HJ Mai • May 13, 2019 -
How a public power utility forges the path to a digital future
The "shift of any utility, and especially NYPA, from a traditional utility to a digital utility, is shifting the mindset of folks who have been here many years," CIO Robert Piascik said.
By Samantha Ann Schwartz • May 10, 2019 -
OpinionAverting disasters with innovation: Utilities' pressing need for predictive technology
Predictive technologies are available to identify growing risks and dramatically reduce the rate and consequence of incidents, yet the uptake by the utility industry has been sluggish. State regulators bear some responsibility.
By Brien J. Sheahan, Jimmie Zhang and Corey Capasso • May 10, 2019 -
NERC to analyze first potential cyberattack on US grid
The nonprofit has no information suggesting malicious intent behind the loss of visibility to a utility control system that occurred in early March and impacted electrical system operations in California, Utah and Wyoming.
By HJ Mai • May 10, 2019 -
Republicans show increasing appetite for climate action, despite opposition to Paris accord bill
GOP legislators are increasingly calling for measures to address climate change, but through private sector innovation, as opposed to carbon taxes, mandates or sweeping Green New Deal-style policies.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 09, 2019 -
Tendril to acquire EnergySavvy, as utility customer engagement focus grows
The deal "creates a platform that unites all residential utility customer data, analytics and insights in one place," said EnergySavvy CEO Aaron Goldfeder.
By Robert Walton • May 07, 2019
