Transmission & Distribution

Transmission development key to Inflation Reduction Act’s climate potential: report

“If electricity transmission cannot be expanded fast enough, power sector emissions and associated pollution and public health impacts could increase significantly as gas and coal-fired power plants produce more,” REPEAT Project analysts said.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 26, 2022

How using building information modeling makes things better

BIM processes have the potential to benefit everyone who flips a light switch. Need to persuade a decision maker?

By Arnold Fry, P.E., POWER Engineers • Sept. 26, 2022

Explore the 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 to meet the rising challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

Manchin permitting-reform bill allows DOE to designate ‘national interest’ transmission projects

While it’s supported by renewable energy groups, the bill faces opposition from some House and Senate Democrats.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 22, 2022

New York launches 2 GW renewable energy solicitation as natural gas prices drive up electricity bills

The solicitation encourages renewables paired with energy storage technologies, sets minimum U.S. iron and steel purchase requirements, and gives special consideration to projects benefiting disadvantaged communities.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2022

More than 1M still without power in Puerto Rico as island assesses damage from Hurricane Fiona

Advocacy groups fear a repeat of 2017, when they say the federal response to Hurricane Maria was lacking and too little was done to build climate-resilient infrastructure in the wake of the storm.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2022

Republican AGs blast FERC transmission planning proposal, citing ‘major questions doctrine’

However, the attorneys general’s filing consists of anti-renewable energy talking points disguised as legal arguments, Ari Peskoe, director of the Harvard Law School’s Electricity Law Initiative, said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 20, 2022

Most of Puerto Rico without power as Hurricane Fiona hits transmission lines

Full power restoration could take days, according to Luma Energy, which operates the island's electric system.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2022

Undergrounding about 5% of coastal utility distribution systems can sharply reduce outage risks: study

Coastal utilities face growing risks from hurricanes, heat waves and power outages, a National Science Foundation-funded study found.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 14, 2022

A decade after FERC tried to tackle New England gas issues, concerns remain and solutions are uncertain

“We’re going into this winter basically crossing our fingers and hoping,” James Danly, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission commissioner, said.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2022

White House eyes power reliability standards, energy efficiency rules for Bitcoin, other crypto mining

Crypto operations consume up to 1.7% of U.S. electricity and have a climate impact “similar to emissions from diesel fuel used in railroads,” according to a new report from the White House.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2022

Retail electricity prices continue rapid rise; US homes could pay more than 15 cents/kWh next year: EIA

More than 20 million families are behind on their utility bills, with the average debt nearly doubling since December 2019, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2022

To boost clean energy, incentivize innovation in existing natural gas infrastructure

Eliminating access to affordable energy options like the direct use of natural gas — particularly at a time when solar and wind are not able to meet energy demand — is not a wise path forward, the author writes.

By Dave Schryver • Sept. 8, 2022

Accelerating renewable energy buildout faces big hurdles, even with Inflation Reduction Act: developers

“It's really important that everyone understand how contingent that capacity expansion is going to be on state-level decision making,” said Tyler Norris, Cypress Creek Renewables vice president of development.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 6, 2022

5 New England states propose ‘modular’ transmission plan to incorporate 8.4 GW of offshore wind

The states say they are “actively” considering high voltage direct current transmission solutions in 1,200 MW increments through 2040.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2022

After DLR boosts transmission line capacity 25%, Duquesne Light expands LineVision partnership

The technology, which has caught the attention of federal regulators, uses real-time data to assess the capacity of transmission assets rather than relying on static assumptions.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2022

‘What is true for alcohol and milk’ must be true for transmission, 5th Circuit says in NextEra decision

A Texas law giving utilities the sole right to build transmission likely violates the U.S. Constitution’s Commerce Clause, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 31, 2022

ISO New England floats ‘energy reserve’ to ensure grid reliability, access to LNG at Everett terminal

Long-term regional plans call for reducing the need for imported LNG, but for now, the Everett terminal outside Boston remains key to New England energy adequacy.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2022

Maine Supreme Court opens pathway for Avangrid’s $1B New England transmission project

Legal challenges remain, however, for the project designed to deliver emissions-free power from Canada to Massachusetts utilities.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 31, 2022

Avista, Northwest utilities, power trader commit to next phase of SPP Western market initiative

The Bonneville Power Administration has agreed to fund the Southwest Power Pool’s Markets+ effort, but it also is considering a parallel effort by California’s grid operator.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 30, 2022

PECO Energy agrees to $150K civil penalty, energy assistance payments, for improper 2018-19 disconnections

The issues stem from software updates at PECO Energy's customer call center. The utility has also agreed to contribute about $400,000 to a bill payment assistance fund.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2022

Starwood Energy, TS Conductor launch JV to triple power line capacity, avoid new transmission obstacles

The Gridline Finance joint venture would be paid via utility savings generated by their more efficient power lines, which the companies say lower costs and expand capacity.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 26, 2022

Federal appeals court denies LS Power lawsuits seeking to expand competition in MISO

The court decisions on Friday come as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is weighing the role competition should play in transmission development.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 23, 2022

OPSI supports complaint against PJM that seeks tighter transmission project oversight

The PJM Interconnection’s failure to enter into designated entity agreements is hurting consumers and grid reliability, the Organization of PJM States said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 22, 2022

Settling the creep correction debate

The impending release of new guidelines for the installation of overhead conductors will settle a lingering debate about if and when to correct for creep during the hanging of new transmission lines.

Aug. 22, 2022

Sharp views from Enel, WIRES, others on FERC’s transmission planning proposal shared at forum

Breaking the “uncertainty cycle,” competition in transmission construction and whether independent monitors should oversee transmission planning were key issues raised at a Thursday event held by Americans for a Clean Energy Grid.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 19, 2022