Technology

Sponsored by Aclara

Why sensors make sense for wildfire management

Fight fire with knowledge. Smart grid sensors deliver actionable insight.

By Kevin Corcoran, Senior Director of Product Management, Aclara • June 03, 2020

IRS clarifies carbon capture tax credit, but more policies needed to drive deployment, analysts say

Despite the proposed safety guidelines for the storage and utilization of captured carbon dioxide, some analysts say more incentives are needed for utilities to consider the new technology.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 01, 2020

Column

Taking Charge: Coronavirus has disrupted much of ComEd, but some things don't change, COO Donnelly says

As the utility’s workforce ages, the Exelon subsidiary can’t pause its hiring and worker certifications during the pandemic, says President and Chief Operating Officer Terry Donnelly.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 26, 2020

Ameren capitalizes as FCC enables new generation of utility communications networks, grid mod

The commission's decision to make six megahertz of low-band spectrum available for the development of wireless technologies also allows electric utilities to earn a rate of return on networks developed in-house, say experts.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2020

Sponsored by Esri

Asset management – What would be better?

See all the data in one place – organized around location. It is the one thing in common.

By Pat Hohl, PE • May 15, 2020

Illinois advances pioneering proposal for utility rate recovery of cloud computing investments

Under the latest version of the rule, utilities would treat 80% of cloud hosting capacity and software subscription fees as regulatory assets and 20% as operating expenses.

By Robert Walton • May 14, 2020

Trump's security order could have 'chilling effect,' slow smart grid deployment, experts say

An executive order issued May 1 by the White House effectively blocks the power sector from sourcing grid components from China, say trade and cybersecurity attorneys and consultants.

By Robert Walton • May 07, 2020

Power-to-gas could be key to California's long-duration storage needs, stakeholders say

Soaking up excess renewable energy and converting it to methane or hydrogen could provide California with a long-term storage system with weeks of duration, a whitepaper from Wärtsilä says. 

By Kavya Balaraman • May 06, 2020

Sponsored by West Monroe Partners

Data driven decision-making for utilities

With an ever-increasing number of systems and volume of data, utilities need insights from data to make smart business decisions and compete in modern business now more than ever before.

By Kevin Hade, Manager, Energy & Utilities, West Monroe Partners and Patrick Miller, Manager, Technology, Data Engineering, West Monroe Partners • May 06, 2020

Tesla delays electric semi truck delivery to 2021, citing battery supply issues

CEO Elon Musk said the production schedule slowed as the company needed to increase battery production to serve all its products. 

By S.L. Fuller • May 05, 2020

Sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric

Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. – Solutions for high voltage transmission

There is a need to efficiently and reliably transmit the power from the source of generation to area of demand. 

GE renewables takes Q1 revenue hit, but results more about execution than COVID-19, CEO says

Hammered by the pandemic's impact on its aviation division, GE has launched a corporate-wide restructuring to cut billions in expenses, arguing that even its renewable division will benefit from lean manufacturing.

By John Funk • April 30, 2020

COVID-19 forces delay of 7 reliability standards, including cybersecurity supply chain protections

The three month delay in new vendor security requirements is unlikely to cause disruptions, but experts are wary of longer pauses on critical cybersecurity standards.

By Robert Walton • April 21, 2020

Sponsored by Aclara

Now trending: Fire mitigation efforts

A hotter, dryer climate prompts utilities to increase wildfire risk management efforts.

Opinion

Keeping the lights on in our hospitals amid COVID-19 and other emergencies

We must mitigate immediate risks that electric and other system vulnerabilities pose for public health today and change the way we prioritize and invest in critical infrastructure in the future, the author writes.

By Michael Wu • April 13, 2020

NERC struggles to involve utility vendors in its biennial cyberattack simulation, and that's a big problem, analysts say

Failure to fully engage the sector's supply chain is worrisome because vendors will likely be targeted by hackers and must be involved in the response to an actual cyberattack, experts say.

By Robert Walton • April 01, 2020

Opinion

Utilities, don't compete with Amazon — online marketplaces must go beyond e-commerce platforms

Instead of having a sole focus on moving products, utility marketplaces should become education centers that equip customers with the tools they need to streamline home and office environmental comfort, the author writes.

By Jessie Mehrhoff • March 27, 2020

Deep Dive

Coronavirus could disrupt normal refueling practices for nuclear facilities as staffing concerns grow

Across the U.S., nuclear sites need to accommodate an influx of workers during the spring for cyclical refueling procedures, which will be difficult based on public health restrictions put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 26, 2020

Ameren Missouri supplier hit by ransomware attack amid growing concern for critical infrastructure

The utility says no confidential information was compromised in the breach. Security experts are increasingly concerned about a potential cyberattack on critical infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • March 25, 2020

Competitive Power Ventures gas plant uses new GE combustion system to cut fuel costs with ethane blend

CPV says its 1,050 MW Fairview natural gas-fired power plant can run on a cheaper fuel mix without impacting operational efficiency or increasing emissions.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 24, 2020

Deep Dive

PG&E, SCE abandon big microgrid plans for temporary emergency measures as wildfire season nears

Regulators' push to implement a law requiring microgrid rollouts is being frustrated by the costs of traditional generation and clean energy complexities.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 23, 2020

Lead batteries make innovation push to better compete for energy storage projects

The Consortium for Battery Innovation believes more research can make lead-acid batteries cost-competitive for storage.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 19, 2020

Oklo submits first advanced reactor license application in US as NRC moves to streamline reviews

Advanced reactors purport to be the "next generation" of nuclear that can fix the problems facing the current industry, but first they need to go through a lengthy regulatory process.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 18, 2020

Opinion

Can smart technology shape rate design and drive consumer savings?

Whether they want to prioritize customer bill savings, peak demand savings or energy savings, insights from automation technology can help utilities design their rate structure to best address their objectives, the authors write.

By Nathan Shannon and Rob Kelter • March 16, 2020

Deep Dive

Nuclear energy storage? Advanced reactor developers trying to expand nuclear power's selling points

Molten salt reactors have been trying to reach commercialization for several years, and developers are now emphasizing their potential storage capability. But that may not be enough.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 12, 2020