Transmission & Distribution
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Glick: FERC to outline plan to tackle transmission 'certainly' by the end of summer
Planning and cost allocation are two of the larger-scale keys to building out the amount of transmission necessary to bring the power grid to 100% carbon-free power under President Biden's 2035 timeline, according to Glick.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 11, 2021 -
'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 -
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 -
National Grid encourages FERC to provide better incentives for grid-enhancing technology
Xcel Energy, on a panel, agreed with many of the hurdles a National Grid representative laid out, including operational, technological and financial barriers.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 10, 2021 -
'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 -
Courtesy of Shell
OpinionLaying the regulatory groundwork for hydrogen in the United States
Hydrogen is a fundamentally different energy commodity that merits its own regulatory structure in the United States, the authors write.
By Drake D. Hernandez and Emre Gençer • June 08, 2021 -
DC approves disputed Pepco rate increase in new approach to utility regulation
Regulators say their approval is the "first step" in adopting an alternative form of regulation for the city's electric utility, but consumer advocates called the $108.6 million rate increase "appalling and harmful."
By Robert Walton • June 08, 2021 -
John Moore via Getty Images
Colorado legislators direct all transmission utilities to join an organized wholesale market by 2030
The passage of Senate Bill 72 is not only an indicator of the growing interest of Western states in regional power markets, but it could also put pressure on other states to create similar policies, one analyst said.
By Emma Penrod • June 08, 2021 -
Fate of Illinois nuclear plants in balance after 3 fail to clear PJM auction and subsidy plan stalls
Three Illinois nuclear plants failed to land power contracts at the PJM capacity auction, generating additional uncertainty about their future.
By Scott Voorhis • June 07, 2021 -
Permission granted by Stem
PJM reliability valuation proposal could boost energy storage in capacity market, group says
The proposal represents a "necessary and significant step forward," Energy Storage Association Interim CEO Jason Burwen said.
By Jason Plautz • June 04, 2021 -
Nathan Howard via Getty Images
Oregon utilities prepare for 2021 fire season with improved technologies, forecasting and PSPS protocols
“We don’t believe PSPSs are a long-term solution,” one utility representative said, but it will take time to find alternatives.
By Kavya Balaraman • June 04, 2021 -
Nevada passes clean energy bill requiring state to join RTO, accelerating $2B transmission project
The bill also requires utilities to forecast a path to achieve an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by the end of the decade.
By Jason Plautz • June 02, 2021 -
LUMA takes over Puerto Rico's grid amid questions of staffing and readiness
Observers say the transition from a government-owned utility to a new public-private partnership has not been managed well and could leave island residents exposed to blackouts heading into hurricane season.
By Robert Walton • June 01, 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 -
Ron Jenkins via Getty Images
NERC sees potential summer energy shortfalls, says energy transition 'pace' may threaten reliability
Parts of North America are at elevated or high risk of energy shortfalls during the above-normal temperature conditions many expect this summer, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. warned.
By Robert Walton • May 27, 2021 -
Tenaska files complaint with FERC against SPP, alleging $66M overcharge on wind interconnection
The developer says the additional charges highlight the need to reform transmission planning and cost allocation to provide renewable energy developers with transparency and certainty in developing new projects.
By Catherine Morehouse • May 26, 2021 -
Nathan Howard / via Getty Images
A 'literal tinderbox': Oregon regulators brace for 2021 wildfire season with temporary utility rules
"[E]xtreme weather conditions — especially high wind — tests even the best built and maintained electrical systems,” Oregon PUC Commissioner Letha Tawney said at a meeting last week.
By Kavya Balaraman • May 24, 2021 -
Rare FERC move sparks heated debate over commission's role assessing pipeline climate impacts
FERC voted 3-2 to approve two pipeline projects after Commissioner James Danly proposed a last-minute amendment to avoid setting a precedent on examining climate impacts — and to secure his own vote.
By Catherine Morehouse • May 21, 2021 -
Permission granted by Minnesota Power
Industry presses House committee on facilitating new transmission critical to Biden climate goals
Planning, permitting and paying for new transmission capacity are essential to the Biden administration's clean energy and decarbonization goals, industry stakeholders told a House committee on Thursday.
By Robert Walton • May 21, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
OpinionWhere should batteries be put to manage wind and solar power?
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab researchers found that batteries sited separately from renewables, in a nearby high-value location, added greater value to a project than tandem siting, particularly in constrained areas.
By Will Gorman • May 19, 2021 -
NERC identifies 4 regions facing potential summer energy shortages
Electric grids in California, Texas, New England and the Midwest may struggle to meet demand this summer despite operating improvements, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp.
By Robert Walton • May 18, 2021 -
Brian Tucker/Utility Dive
Major Duke investor calls for utility to break into 3 companies, unlock up to $15B in shareholder value
Duke said in a statement it is still reviewing the proposal but added the plan "runs counter to the strategic direction" of the broader power sector's efforts to make large scale investments.
By Catherine Morehouse • May 18, 2021 -
Bipartisan Maine lawmakers push to create first statewide, publicly-owned utility in US
Proponents say a key goal of creating such a publicly-owned utility would be to make Maine the first state to reach its goal of 100% renewable energy.
By Scott Voorhis • May 17, 2021 -
Transmission tax credit could unlock 30 GW of renewables, spur over $15B in private capital, report finds
The report also found the tax credit would create 650,000 "good paying jobs," in the near term, receiving support from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
By Catherine Morehouse • 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 -
Agilitas Energy $1.4M Rhode Island storage project to avoid up to 8.6X costlier transmission line fix
Installing the battery will cost $1.4 million, compared to transmission line repairs that would have cost between $6 million and $12 million, according to the local utility.
By Jason Plautz • May 12, 2021
