Transmission & Distribution
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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 -
CPUC demands PG&E defend power shut-off actions, launches investigation into all IOUs
Regulators want PG&E to show why it should not be fined for violating communication protocols during planned outages in October and November. It could be fined up to $100,000 for each offense.
By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 14, 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 -
Entergy Texas, Georgia Power lead on business customer satisfaction amid growing divide: JD Power
While satisfaction is rising, the marketing research company found the gap between the highest- and lowest-performing utilities is now at a 13-year high.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2019 -
Cuomo threatens to revoke National Grid's license to provide gas in NYC due to hookup moratorium
The utility's leadership has 14 days to reply to the governor's intention to revoke its certificate to serve 1.8 million customers in Long Island and New York City.
By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 13, 2019 -
PG&E raises wildfire compensation offer to $13.5B as California turns up pressure
Gov. Gavin Newsom had asked a bankruptcy judge to delay a previous, smaller deal to compensate wildfire victims. And more cities are asking for a public takeover of the embattled utility.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2019 -
Simulated grid attacks prepped in US amid mounting cyber risks, shortage of security talent
The North American Electric Reliability Corp. GridEx simulation will be followed by DOE's university-focused CyberForce Competition, with both aiming to improve security around the nation's electric system.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2019 -
California proposes extending 4.8 GW gas capacity as bridge to 3.3 GW of new clean energy by 2023
The state's newly authorized procurement aims to have renewables-plus-storage and standalone storage compete well against other resources, along with energy efficiency and demand response resources.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 11, 2019 -
Tri-State faces growing member rebellion, challenges at Colorado PUC
Tri-State Generation & Transmission's largest member, United Power, has asked Colorado regulators to establish a fair exit charge that would allow the cooperative to procure cleaner and cheaper power.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 08, 2019 -
Hawaii regulators audit HECO management as utility targets Oahu rate increase
The review "may present opportunities for HECO to realize operational efficiencies, better manage costs and improve its financial condition," the PUC said in its order calling for the audit.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 07, 2019 -
Florida eases financing for billions in storm hardening spending, retains energy efficiency program
The Public Service Commission voted on Tuesday to allow utilities to bypass the stringent rate review previously required to add storm expenses to base rates.
By Lynn Freehill-Maye • Nov. 06, 2019 -
Sen. Manchin 'fighting' for White House nomination of Democratic FERC candidate
The independent energy regulatory agency has two vacancies but President Donald Trump only nominated FERC general counsel James Danly for the open Republican seat.
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 -
California governor floats PG&E takeover, moves to expedite bankruptcy proceeding
Governor Gavin Newsom called for a meeting this week between state officials, the utility, its creditors, its shareholders and wildfire victims, to "accelerate a consensual resolution."
By Robert Walton • Nov. 04, 2019 -
CAISO takes expanded western reliability services live
The California Independent System Operator has launched expanded Reliability Coordinator services, called RC West, making it the coordinator of record for more than three dozen entities across 14 western states and northern Mexico.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 04, 2019 -
Solar, energy efficiency to drive drops in load, peak demand over next 10 years, ISO-NE says
The region remains energy constrained, but the grid operator expects to have sufficient resources to meet electricity demand through 2028.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 01, 2019 -
PG&E found more than 100 damaged assets, hazards following massive power shutoff
The utility found dozens of instances where de-energized lines could have ignited a blaze if they had not been shut off.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 01, 2019 -
PG&E shares jump 32% amid power shutoffs as judge appoints bankruptcy mediator
Meanwhile, half a million customers are still without power and the utility has said it will provide refunds to customers impacted by its first October shutoff.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2019 -
Puerto Rico grid modernization plan tops $20B
The plan, which the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority sketched out over the summer, includes installing almost 1.4 GW of solar generation and 920 MW of battery storage.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 29, 2019 -
PG&E deploys largest-ever power shutoff, but responsibility for Kincade Fire now in question
Up to 3 million people were impacted by PG&E's massive power shutoff over the weekend. Meanwhile, shares hit a record low this morning as the utility reported a transmission line failure near the origin of last week's wildfire.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2019 -
OpinionMicrogrids alone cannot eliminate wildfire risk
Fully self-contained microgrids are not economic today, given all the ways in which they can serve as grid assets, so Edison Electric Institute warns against relying on them as an alternative to de-energizing power lines.
By Scott Aaronson • Oct. 25, 2019 -
Deep DiveUtilities' failure to plan for DER surge promises missed opportunities, increased costs, analysts say
Utilities can use skyrocketing customer-owned DER to balance rising penetrations of variable renewables on their systems, if they take on the big work of distribution system planning.
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 24, 2019 -
California urges energy providers procure additional 4 GW to avoid potential shortages starting in 2021
The procurement proceeding, part of an effort to overhaul utility integrated resource planning in the state, also recommends compliance extensions necessary to keep several once-through cooling units online.
By Robert Walton • 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 -
Arizona regulator floats new IRP process to reduce reliance on APS, other utility load forecasts
The head of the Arizona Corporation Commission has sketched out a new long-term planning process that he says will result in "more independence and greater stakeholder input."
By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 2019
