Transmission & Distribution
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Courtesy of GE Vernova
PJM aims to fast-track reliability projects in interconnection queue
The PJM Interconnection’s plan to allow a limited number of reliability-oriented generating projects to enter an interconnection study process early next year sparked concerns from some stakeholders, including Invenergy.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 9, 2024 -
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OpinionOpportunities and obstacles for the Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission
The memorandum of understanding that established the collaborative is remarkable for the sheer number of states involved and the fact that it covers three independent system operators: ISO-NE, NYISO and PJM.
Oct. 9, 2024 -
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TrendlineTop 5 Stories from Utility Dive
The U.S. energy transition is facing challenges around grid interconnections, project permitting and power system reliability, but state, federal and other solutions are emerging.
By Utility Dive staff -
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AEP, Dominion, FirstEnergy propose joint 765-kV transmission projects across PJM
The transmission proposals spanning Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio were developed through an “innovative joint planning agreement,” the companies said Monday.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 8, 2024 -
Retrieved from US Army Corps of Engineers.
DOE offers microgrid funding with focus on Alaska, Hawaii, indigenous tribes
“DOE plans to work closely with rural and tribal communities to develop microgrid technologies that will lead to more reliable, affordable energy in isolated regions,” science and innovation chief Geri Richmond said.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 7, 2024 -
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DC Circuit upholds FERC order on NextEra Seabrook circuit breaker
The court decision on Friday likely resolves the last major hurdle for Avangrid’s $1.5 billion New England Clean Energy Connect transmission project, ClearView Energy Partners said.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 7, 2024 -
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DOE selects 3-GW Pattern Energy transmission project linking ERCOT, Southeast for capacity buy
Avangrid, Invenergy and Grid United were other winning developers in the department’s $1.5 billion solicitation to buy transmission capacity.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 4, 2024 -
The image by Jakec is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Constellation, Calpine, others urge FERC to reject Exelon co-location tariff proposals
However, PJM’s market monitor supports the proposal, saying it would ensure co-located load pays for its share of grid and distribution services.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 3, 2024 -
Ron Karpel via Getty Images
DOE transmission planning study identifies ‘high opportunity’ interregional interfaces
The Department of Energy says its national transmission study provides a framework for utilities and grid planners to consider bolstering connections between regions.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 3, 2024 -
SEYLUL06 via Getty Images
Pathways Initiative proposes regional organization to oversee Western power markets
“This organization can evolve to offer the full range of [regional transmission organization] services,” Brian Turner, an Advanced Energy United director, said.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 2, 2024 -
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FERC approves CAISO interconnection reform plan
The federal agency dismissed concerns from renewable energy trade groups and others that a provision in the new rules will allow utilities to discriminate against project developers.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 2, 2024 -
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Utility conferences to watch in 2025
Start planning for 2025’s biggest power sector events, which will cover the clean energy transition, the impact of the 2024 elections and more.
By Larry Pearl, Ethan Howland, Robert Walton, Diana DiGangi • Oct. 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Bechtel
ERCOT, SPP and 3 US regions need ‘significant investment’ in new generating capacity: BofA
The U.S. will need an incremental 100 GW of effective capacity by 2035 to meet a 1.5% demand growth rate, according to BofA Global Research.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2024 -
Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images
2M customers still without power after Helene; some local grids must ‘be completely rebuilt’
Multiple utilities say they will need to completely rebuild, rather than repair, electric systems in the hardest-hit areas. Helene was the most destructive hurricane in Georgia Power’s history.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2024 -
Courtesy of Hitachi Energy
Hitachi Energy to expand US transformer manufacturing capacity
The company promised $155 million to expand two facilities in Virginia and Pennsylvania as well as build a new factory in Mexico.
By Joelle Anselmo • Sept. 27, 2024 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Millions without power after Hurricane Helene rocks Southeast
The storm struck Florida as a Category 4 and moved inland. More than 4 million customers lacked power Friday morning.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2024 -
Jessica Torres via Getty Images
Texas OKs Permian Basin reliability plan, option for state’s first 765-kV transmission lines
By 2038, oil and gas development could push Permian Basin demand to 26 GW, or about a third of the current summer demand in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas footprint.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2024 -
Bilanol via Getty Images
MISO advances $21.8B regional transmission portfolio, including 765-kV backbone
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator expects the draft Tranche 2 proposal would produce $23.1 billion in net benefits over 20 years, partly by reducing the need for new generation.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 26, 2024 -
ArtemisDiana via Getty Images
OpinionC&IÂ customer needs are rapidly changing. How can utilities maximize their relationship?
Utilities risk being blindsided by the capacity needs of commercial and industrial customers by not engaging them early and often to understand their electrification plans.
By Julia Hamm and Chase Weir • Sept. 26, 2024 -
Courtesy of DTE Energy
DTE, Consumers Energy outage restoration times, reliability measures lagging: audit
Michigan regulators launched the review of DTE and Consumers’ operations in 2022 following a string of outages. Restoration times at both utilities are “worse than average,” the audit found.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2024 -
The image by Peretzp is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
PJM market design flaws add billions to latest capacity auction costs: market monitor
A switch in how PJM measures power plant availability, one of several market issues flagged by Monitoring Analytics, increased capacity costs by $4.4 billion compared to its previous approach.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 24, 2024 -
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OpinionPermitting reform’s false choice
Any benefits to green infrastructure that would be gained by undoing federal protections are likely to be more than offset by the proliferation of fossil fuels.
By David E. Adelman • Sept. 20, 2024 -
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NAESB rolls out draft standardized distribution services contract
The contract will allow for “seamless participation” of distributed energy resource aggregators in wholesale markets, consistent with FERC Order 2222, the energy standards board said.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2024 -
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Rising demand could drive US wholesale electricity prices 19% higher by 2028: ICF
Electricity demand is expected to rise in every region of the U.S., but “the largest increase by far” is projected in the mid-Atlantic region, where demand could grow 68% by 2050, ICF said.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2024 -
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OpinionThe Energy Permitting Reform Act is our best shot at advancing critical climate goals
The bill would be a crucial step toward America realizing its potential as a 21st century clean energy superpower, but only if we can put our desires for a perfect policy aside and embrace practical compromise.
By Danielle Russo • Sept. 17, 2024 -
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Clean energy groups urge FERC to reject Southeast Energy Exchange Market
The SEEM produced $3.7 million in benefits in 2023 but had $4.3 million in administrative costs, according to Advanced Energy United and other groups.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 16, 2024
