Technology
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'An eye for an eye': The electric sector's defense will depend on federal government's might, says Southern CEO
The United States has recently faced a barrage of high profile cyberattacks, and electric utilities say they need government help to deter more.
By Robert Walton • June 11, 2021 -
Courtesy of Competitive Power Ventures
New gas turbines 'better be flexible' to someday accept carbon capture or hydrogen: New EEI chairman
Natural gas has a critical role to play as utilities pursue net-zero goals, said DTE Energy Executive Chairman Gerry Anderson, who was elected on Monday as the new chairman of the Edison Electric Institute.
By Larry Pearl • June 10, 2021 -
Trendline
Grid Resiliency
Utilities and grid operators are facing increasing threats from climate change as well as cyber and physical attacks, and are deploying a variety of responses, with some adjustments in the age of COVID-19.
By Utility Dive staff -
'Private industry can't do it alone': Lessons for electric utilities from the Colonial ransomware fallout
Many security experts and the Federal Bureau of Investigation caution against paying ransomware demands. Colonial Pipeline paid about $4.4 million, got its systems back online and will get some of the money back as well.
By Robert Walton • June 09, 2021 -
Screenshot of Nuclear Energy Assembly 2021
Advanced nuclear tech in 'early innings' but essential to widespread decarbonization, utility execs say
The electric grid cannot be decarbonized "with renewables and batteries alone," Xcel Energy CEO Ben Fowke said at the Nuclear Energy Assembly.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 08, 2021 -
Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
Opinion'An unlikely alliance': US investor-owned utilities and NGOs partner to advance new carbon-free tech
The Edison Electric Institute and the Clean Air Task Force announce an initiative to support a slate of emerging carbon-free technologies.
By Ben Fowke and Armond Cohen • June 04, 2021 -
Courtesy of Colonial Pipeline Company
TSA directive adds teeth to pipeline cybersecurity oversight
Under the Transportation Security Administration's new requirements, companies will need to establish a cybersecurity coordinator and report confirmed and potential cybersecurity incidents to CISA.
By Samantha Schwartz • May 27, 2021 -
Drew Angerer via Getty Images
Does Colonial's proactive pipeline shutdown illustrate a new cybersecurity threat to utilities?
While a controlled pipeline closure is preferred over one carried out by nefarious groups, the decision is up for debate in the security community.
By Samantha Schwartz • May 17, 2021 -
Stefani Reynolds / Stringer via Getty Images
As Colonial pipeline returns to service, Congress looks to bolster utility-government security efforts
Several bills aim to boost public-private partnerships in securing the nations grid, which experts say are critical to keeping attackers at bay.
By Robert Walton • May 14, 2021 -
Xcel opts for gas suppliers with lower methane emissions in Colorado
The utility announced a pilot for certified lower-emission gas, seeking to advance upstream practices of reducing methane leaks. Clean energy groups say the certifications are effectively the new "clean coal."
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 13, 2021 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Biden cybersecurity order tackles software risks in energy, other sectors following Colonial hack
President Joe Biden has signed an executive order aimed at shoring up the nation's cybersecurity posture. It includes a software transparency initiative the utility sector has been involved with launching.
By Robert Walton • May 13, 2021 -
Drew Angerer via Getty Images
Colonial Pipeline disconnects operational technology systems to silo ransomware IT threat
Anxiety is rising among corporate security officials concerned about the impact of ransomware among critical infrastructure providers.
By David Jones • May 12, 2021 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images via Getty Images
Critical infrastructure flaws surface after years of underinvestment in energy, other sectors, analysts say
Critical manufacturing, energy — which includes electricity, oil and natural gas — and water and wastewater reported the most industrial control system vulnerabilities in 2020.
By David Jones • May 12, 2021 -
Photo illustration by Danielle Ternes/Utility Dive; photograph by yucelyilmaz via Getty Images
Federal cybersecurity agency left in the dark during Colonial Pipeline's initial response
With an agency mandate to share threat information with critical infrastructure, notification delays can stall industry response.
By Samantha Schwartz • May 12, 2021 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images via Getty Images
Colonial Pipeline hack highlights grid disruption risks even with IT-focused cyberattack, analysts say
Hackers unleashed ransomware on the largest refined products pipeline on the East Coast, leading to a voluntary pipeline shutdown. Experts warn that the attack highlights a security gap around critical infrastructure.
By Robert Walton • May 11, 2021 -
Tim Boyle/Staff via Getty Images
Colonial Pipeline attack embodies security risk to nation's critical infrastructure
Industry researchers suspect a Russian-linked criminal organization called DarkSide is behind the attack, though it has not publicly claimed responsibility.
By David Jones • UPDATED: May 10, 2021 at 12:06 p.m. -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Targeted industrial control systems add cautionary flag to cyber defense strategies
A Defend Forward strategy used in the IT space may not translate well in the OT environment, according to panelists at the Hack the Capitol conference.
By David Jones • May 10, 2021 -
Pexels.com/Nancy Bourque
Sponsored by Calico EnergyBuilding sector carbon emissions are rising, but this data can help
Reducing the energy our buildings consume starts with getting utility data in the right hands.
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Gorodenkoff via Getty Images
New York regulators address data access issues in bid to grow clean energy development
New York is in the process of creating an integrated energy data resource to manage the wide range of information required by distributed resource developers.
By Robert Walton • April 26, 2021 -
Opinion
Beyond solar and wind: 10 steps to meet President Biden's clean electricity target
As countries around the world commit to greater emissions reductions, it’s time for utilities and the electricity sector to buckle up for rapid decarbonization, says Grid Forward Executive Director Bryce Yonker.
By Bryce Yonker • April 26, 2021 -
Permission granted by Esri
Sponsored by EsriUtility mobile workers — to do what?
What's the best way to give mobile workers the power of GIS? The answer isn't always so straightforward.
By Bill Meehan, Director Electric Utility Solutions, Esri • April 26, 2021 -
Screenshot via Greentown Labs Houston
Cleantech incubator part of Houston's goal to be 'energy transition capital'
One year after the city unveiled its Climate Action Plan, the incubator said it has 30 startups ready to move into its 40,000-square-foot Greentown Labs space.
By Chris Teale • April 23, 2021 -
Photo illustration by Danielle Ternes/Utility Dive; photograph by yucelyilmaz via Getty Images
DOE launches 100-day grid security push as Biden ends Trump ban on some Chinese-made equipment
The initiative will focus on the security of electric utilities’ industrial control systems, while also examining ways to secure the energy sector supply chain.
By Robert Walton • April 20, 2021 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by thinkreaction via Getty Images
Deep DiveAs Biden targets 100% clean electricity, strategies emerge to reliably integrate rising renewables
A power system based on portfolios of increasingly cost-effective utility-scale and distributed renewables is emerging and driving new operational and market solutions to make it work reliably.
By Herman K. Trabish • April 19, 2021 -
sestovic/E+/Getty via Getty Images
NERC finding 25% of utilities exposed to SolarWinds hack indicates growing ICS vulnerabilities, analysts say
Security experts warn it may be too soon to tell whether follow-on activity has occurred.
By Robert Walton • April 15, 2021 -
Former NRC chair questions economic feasibility of new nuclear in US
Former NRC Chairman Allison Macfarlane acknowledges the progress of small modular reactor designs from NuScale Power to achieve permitting while flagging supply chain issues for the broader industry.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 12, 2021
