Technology
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Deep DiveSatisfying utility customers is getting much harder. AI is helping, despite data challenges
Utilities are leveraging algorithms and machine learning in various ways, ranging from mundane to ambitious, to improve the customer experience.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 15, 2019 -
Texas proposes smart meter cost recovery for El Paso Electric, Entergy Texas, boosting AMI
The proposal also applies to Southwestern Public Service and Southwestern Electric Power Co. and aligns with 2019 Texas legislation encouraging wider deployment of advanced metering and meter information networks.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2019 -
NRC explores streamlined environmental reviews to accelerate advanced reactor approvals
Several Republican senators have called upon the NRC to develop the expedited process, saying it would deliver on changes to nuclear regulation recently approved by Congress and signed by President Trump.
By Matthew Bandyk • Nov. 15, 2019 -
NERC's simulated grid attack leaves thousands of New York customers in hypothetical darkness
The biennial security event, GridEx, highlighted the electric sector's continued dependency on natural gas pipelines.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2019 -
Deep DiveHow does AI improve grid performance? No one fully understands and that's limiting its use
"For 75% of what utilities are doing, outside of maybe forecasting or managing capacity, AI is at the infancy stage and there is no real use case," a data management specialist said.
By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 14, 2019 -
Deep DiveFrom EV integration to wildfire prevention, utilities accelerate AI use to drive efficiencies, profits
Billions of internet-connected devices interact with the power grid right now, and experts say utilities will need smarter solutions.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2019 -
In search for cheaper, longer energy storage, mountain gravity could eventually top lithium-ion
Using mountains for storage could be combined with hydropower and prove to be economically attractive for microgrids, islands and areas with high electricity costs, a new study finds.
By Matthew Bandyk • Nov. 12, 2019 -
Deep DiveIn the 'cat and mouse game' of utility cyberattacks, AI and machine learning show promise, limits
"There is so much low hanging fruit in utility system challenges that can be addressed by advanced data analytic strategies that AI and machine learning are not the place to start," a cybersecurity expert said.
By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 07, 2019 -
Congressional Policy Tracker: Everything you need to know from carbon capture to wind energy
Renewable energy developers are lobbying for tax credit extensions while Republican leaders seek bipartisan research-focused solutions to support advanced nuclear, carbon capture and energy storage.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 06, 2019 -
Deep DiveUS power grid attack points surge with proliferating DERs: A hacker 'will eventually get in'
Critical infrastructure protection standards are essential — but they're also just a starting point, say experts focused on maintaining a reliable electric grid.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 04, 2019 -
Deep DiveAs Dominion, others target 80-year nuclear plants, cybersecurity concerns complicate digital upgrades
Nuclear reactors need new digital controls as part of a push to avoid retirement, but cybersecurity concerns and high costs complicate the transition from analog.
By Matthew Bandyk • Nov. 04, 2019 -
First cyberattack on solar, wind assets revealed widespread grid weaknesses, analysts say
New details of a denial-of-service attack earlier this year show an energy sector with uneven security.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 04, 2019 -
Schumer floats $454B plan to accelerate EV adoption in next decade
The senate minority leader said the plan targeting 100% clean vehicles on U.S. roads by 2040 would be part of a larger climate initiative if Democrats win control of the Senate in 2020.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 28, 2019 -
National Grid investment arm doubles-down on AI capabilities, but cultural change remains key
National Grid Partners' president wants the venture capital arm to stand out from other utility investment and innovation segments by requiring "culture acceleration," to fully utilize new technologies.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 24, 2019 -
Unpaid debts and lost grants: Co-ops struggle with 2017 tax law as Congress moves to address impacts
The "unintended consequences" from the 2017 tax law have become the "biggest policy priority" for rural electric cooperatives trying to maintain their nonprofit status.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 23, 2019 -
SponsoredSoftware's value to banks in an expanding solar industry
Price declines and significant improvements in technology have combined with increased financing sophistication to make large solar projects economically attractive.
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Old Windows and bad passwords: Utility cyber vulnerabilities grow despite comparative strengths
Utilities have increased cybersecurity but they remain "soft targets for adversaries" due to outdated operating systems and unencrypted passwords, security firm CyberX said.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2019 -
Hanging with the lab rats: NREL researchers lay groundwork to accelerate US clean energy transition
The DOE lab is examining the impacts of "turbulence" on wind turbines as well as how to integrate battery storage systems and hydrogen alongside electric vehicle technologies.
By Gloria Gonzalez • Oct. 22, 2019 -
New York adopts utility-ESCO cybersecurity standards, rejects insurance requirements
Regulators established minimum requirements for third parties to access customer data through utility IT systems, but rejected a proposal to require a $5 million insurance policy for damages that could arise from a cybersecurity breach.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2019 -
DOE, NRC team up to accelerate deployment of advanced reactors
The capabilities of DOE's National Laboratories are being combined with regulatory expertise at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in order to accelerate the development and licensing of advanced reactors.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2019 -
Green Mountain Power turnaround driven by customer obsession, cultural shift: CEO
Mary Powell reflects on how her HR roots helped her draw systemic changes to the utility's clean energy goals while on the cusp of bankruptcy.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 15, 2019 -
OpinionClean Peaks & Polar Vortexes: Aligning climate and reliability goals in an extreme weather world
If states do not align digitization, decentralization and decarbonization policies with a fourth dimension of diversification, industry may need to take unprecedented action, the authors write.
By Brian Evans-Mongeon, Dan Kopin and Lon Huber • Oct. 14, 2019 -
FERC cybersecurity report identifies 'potential compliance infractions'
The report includes recommendations to help the bulk power system enhance compliance with mandatory reliability standards for critical infrastructure and to improve the overall cybersecurity of an increasingly distributed electric grid.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2019 -
PJM presses FERC to act by Nov. 3 on Order 841 filing detailing market participation for energy storage
The notice said the grid operator and its stakeholders need at least one month's notice to go live with a storage market participation model.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 09, 2019 -
Trump Administration rescinds 25% tariff exemption for bifacial solar panels
After excluding the two-sided panels from the tariff in June, the administration saw a boom in international production, which the U.S. Trade Representative said would undermine existing protections.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 08, 2019
