Technology

Natural gas ransomware attack offers critical lessons for electric utilities, analysts say

The disruption represents a growing threat to the domestic energy sector, with more sophisticated attacks beginning to target the industrial control systems which help run electric grids and pipeline systems.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 24, 2020

Opinion

Utilities vs. grid edge upstarts: Turf battles in an increasingly DER-centric world

Utilities believe they are best positioned to manage the grid if they own and control the data directly, without intermediaries, but Tesla, SunRun and others want to collect and manage the data for their own platform benefits.

By Dan Goldman • Feb. 21, 2020

Deep Dive

Slowed pay-off from billions in AMI investment puts the technology's future in doubt

Regulators have approved billions for utilities to roll out advanced metering infrastructure, but they expected new customer and system benefits, not just lower utility operation costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 20, 2020

Deep Dive

Utilities say they are prepared to meet cyber threats. Are they?

Experts warn that cyber standards compliance is not synonymous with security, as Utility Dive's annual survey shows that less than 60% "believe their organization is in or approaching compliance with government cybersecurity mandates."

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2020

Glick joins grid operators' call for storage hybrid market construct

The FERC commissioner wants to see action on the measure and suggested a technical conference on how to treat storage collocated with energy generation in energy markets.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 13, 2020

Sustainability tops utility concerns, as SEU survey sees discrepancies on cybersecurity, stranded assets

Some 50% of utility respondents to Utility Dive's State of the Electric Utility Survey expect their organization to significantly increase the amount of grid-scale solar by 2030, a stronger forecast than for any other resource.

By Larry Pearl • Feb. 12, 2020

GE Hitachi enters federal licensing process for new small modular nuclear reactor design

GE Hitachi claims its BWRX-300 will be cheaper on a capital cost basis than both conventional nuclear power reactors and other SMRs.

By Matthew Bandyk • Feb. 05, 2020

State regulators need cyclical reviews to get the most out of utility performance incentive mechanisms: Report

Upending utility business models is more easily done with complementary state policies and continuous improvement of incentives, according to Energy Innovation and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 04, 2020

Q&A

Q&A: GE CTO on adapting to the clean energy transition

Utility Dive caught up with GE Grid Solutions' Chief Technology Officer Vera Silva to discuss the shifting technology space in the utility industry, as well as short and long-term solutions for decarbonizing the power grid.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 03, 2020

Opinion

At a crossroads: The connected future of EVs, solar, energy storage and software

The need for partnership across industries is increasing as the EV market continues to expand and challenge a static electric grid, driving industry forward to a clean, connected future, the authors write.

By Wes Doane and Lior Handelsman • Jan. 31, 2020

Texas PUC website 'defaced' in low-level attack as state inks new cybersecurity contract

While the hacker claimed to be Iranian, state officials say they have no evidence of a link to the Middle Eastern nation.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 31, 2020

Deep Dive

Geothermal's surprise: Cheap renewables could keep states from achieving climate goals

Planners must think beyond the levelized cost for renewables to the value that each resource brings to the grid.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2020

NYPA turns to zinc-air storage amid lithium-ion safety concerns

The utility is working with Zinc8 Energy Solutions to install a 100 kW/1 MWh zinc-air system in western New York and intends to scale up the project over time.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 27, 2020

Opinion

The Iranian cybersecurity threat is a good reminder for the energy sector to embrace a prevention mindset

Because threats can now come from anywhere, any piece of connected technology must be treated as potentially malicious — this is the essence of a "Zero Trust" prevention-first mentality, the author writes.

By Benny Czarny • Jan. 27, 2020

Itron-Bidgely partnership could help utilities get more value from smart meters

The companies say the new technology offering will give utilities visibility into appliance-level energy usage, which can be used to improve energy efficiency or drive customer engagement in DSM programs.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2020

Sponsored

The startup competition that is making a meaningful difference in cleantech

Markets across the U.S. are starting to see innovative clean technologies thanks to some other 76West winners.

Deep Dive

2020 Outlook: New state action on customer empowering rate designs and business models

Regulators, utilities and stakeholders will pilot simple price signals and work toward agreement on a performance-based framework, but California may be in for a surprise.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2020

Deep Dive

2020 Utility Dive Outlooks: What's in store for coal, gas, renewables, DER and beyond

2020 promises to be another busy year across the U.S. power sector as the energy transition gathers more steam.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 23, 2020

Deep Dive

2020 Outlook: US renewable resources on steady course for increased deployment

"In 2020, there’s sort of a 'come on in, the water's warm' element of excitement and momentum" around renewable energy procurement, one analyst said.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 16, 2020

Deep Dive

2020 outlook: Natural gas faces regulatory, environmental scrutiny but still wants role in carbon-free grid

Aggressive natural gas investments in recent years may bring the sector to its tipping point. But some stakeholders say the fuel still has an important role to play in a decarbonized future.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020

Deep Dive

2020 Outlook: 10 trends driving the US power sector

From utilities to states to grid operators, the energy transformation is accelerating, but significant challenges remain.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 13, 2020

DOE unveils plan to make US global storage leader by 2030

To build a domestic storage supply chain and ensure the department's broad goals are met, experts say the government-led initiative will need to provide regulatory certainty.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 10, 2020

Entergy, Duke, ConEd adding millions of smart meters, but overall deployment slowing

While some utilities are seeing significant deployments, fewer customers need the equipment as adoption rates increase and some state regulators have shown a reticence to authorize additional costs.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 08, 2020

Deloitte: Consumer interest in EVs rising, but cost still a barrier

Now 41% of U.S. drivers, up from 29% last year, said they would consider an alternative to a gas-powered car, but range anxiety remains.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 08, 2020

Utilities 'caught in the crosshairs' as US-Iran tensions rise; experts say domestic cyberattack likely

Iran wants to avoid a shooting war following the United States' assassination of a top military leader, making domestic cyberattacks "almost a foregone conclusion," according to one expert.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 07, 2020