Technology
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AEP, Ameren, TVA team up with EPRI to connect clean energy startups with utilities
Seven other utilities will also consider project proposals covering customer engagement, digitalization, distributed energy resource integration, workforce issues, electric mobility, and customer and community resilience.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 06, 2019 -
Solar developers, manufacturers clash on Trump tariff impacts as trade commission poised to reevaluate
Developers estimate 62,000 jobs and 10.5 GW of deployment will be lost through 2021 due to the tariffs. But more domestic manufacturers are now defending the policy.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 05, 2019 -
OpinionWhat I wish I'd said to California's chief air regulator about clean transportation
Will flexible demand-side resources ever be able to participate in power markets in the same way as supply-side resources? That’s the question before Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols — and all of us, the author writes.
By David Farnsworth • Dec. 05, 2019 -
Deep DiveCan new transmission tech boost capacity and save billions? Two proposals aim to find out
Advocates are pushing a "shared savings" approach to incentivize deployment, but system operators have doubts.
By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 03, 2019 -
New NARUC president prioritizes cybersecurity training, ties between state and federal regulators
Commissioner Brandon Presley from Mississippi envisions every state commissioner feeling comfortable to collaborate with their counterparts at FERC or the FCC.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 26, 2019 -
Small, regional utilities located near critical infrastructure targeted in cyberattack: WSJ
Smaller electric utilities may be at higher risk of an attack because they lack the robust security infrastructure of larger power providers, according to experts.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 26, 2019 -
PNM: Carbon capture would raise San Juan transition cost to $6B, as PRC, legislator battle rages
A proposal to lengthen the coal plant's life through what would be the largest carbon capture project to date is deemed too expensive by its majority owner and raises environmental concerns.
By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 25, 2019 -
Deep DiveElectric trucks may be the future, but waste and recycling market still charging up
Looking to move away from diesel and meet climate goals, a growing number of service providers are in the process of testing out models from coast to coast.
By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Nov. 21, 2019 -
House clean energy tax bill sees broad industry support, but Senate path uncertain
The draft legislative package, introduced Nov. 19, adds energy storage and offshore wind, while extending solar and electric vehicle tax credits.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 20, 2019 -
Can concentrated solar power act as energy storage? DOE wants to know more
DOE wants to make CSP work as solar energy that is available "on demand" and can store energy in the form of heat, as opposed to PV solar which is intermittent and depends upon separate systems to store energy for later use.
By Matthew Bandyk • Nov. 19, 2019 -
Lyft adds 200 EVs to Denver rental program
EV-friendly governmental actions prompted the deployment in the city, which the company said is one of the largest in the country.
By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 18, 2019 -
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
Machine learning's greatest impact will be helping algorithms understand "how the voltage here affects the voltage there," which will enable "optimizing grid operations like dispatching battery storage," one industry executive 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 • UPDATED: Dec. 2, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. -
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
