Transmission & Distribution

New Jersey authorizes PSE&G to spend $511M on 4-year grid modernization program

The plan includes $234 million to make distribution system improvements, bolster residential reliability and prepare for growing electric vehicle adoption.

By Robert Walton • June 30, 2022

Energy sector job growth outpaces overall US economy, with strength in transportation, renewables: DOE

The number of jobs in the U.S. energy sector grew 4% in 2021, outpacing 2.8% growth in overall domestic employment, according to the agency.

By Robert Walton • June 28, 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

The next chapter for solar-plus-storage

At a time when supply chain constraints are resulting in overall higher costs and setbacks for energy storage projects, every bit of efficiency and profit that can be gained becomes extremely important.

By Andy Tang, Vice President, Energy Storage & Optimisation, Wärtsilä • June 27, 2022

Conservative approach to Texas grid operations could cost consumers $1.5B this year, says market monitor

As a result of changes to Texas wholesale electricity markets, pricing outcomes “at times grow disconnected from the actual operating conditions,” said Independent Market Monitor Director Carrie Bivens.

By Robert Walton • June 24, 2022

New York regulators approve new transmission cost analysis approach, bill credits, 135 MW battery facility

At a busy open meeting, the Public Service Commission took steps to ensure the state meets mandates set out in its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2022

All ACSS conductors are not created equal

Utility customers need to know that ACSS is not a commodity product. Batch-annealed ACSS offers less sag, easier installation, improved self-damping and improved conductivity.

June 21, 2022

FERC proposes 'first-ready, first-served' interconnection rules to help spur new generation, storage

The federal agency at its monthly meeting Thursday also proposed extreme weather grid reliability requirements and one-time reports from transmission providers on how they assess extreme weather.

By Ethan Howland • June 17, 2022

PJM proposes 'first-ready, first-served' interconnection review process, steps to clear backlog

PJM wouldn’t begin reviewing interconnection requests filed after Oct. 1, 2021, until 2026 under the proposal it filed Tuesday at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Ethan Howland • June 15, 2022

4 effective ways to meet US decarbonization goals

How can the US achieve meaningful decarbonization goals without sacrificing reliable, stable energy?

June 13, 2022

Massachusetts lawmakers consider ending retail electric choice for residential customers

Retail energy providers argue that an investigation of market competition by state regulators would be a better approach than rolling back customer choice through a broad clean energy bill.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated June 13, 2022

One cooperative should not be allowed to derail our collective clean energy efforts

If that is allowed to happen, the clean energy transition will be much like it is today — primarily enjoyed by customers of large investor-owned and municipal utilities that serve urban areas, the CEOs of three Colorado co-ops write.

By Jessica Matlock, Jeff Wadsworth, and Brad Zaporski • June 8, 2022

3 Rs of utility emergency management

GIS helps to prepare for and deliver services during and after an emergency.

By Bill Meehan • June 6, 2022

DOE launches grid interconnection initiative to cut 'gridlock' hampering clean energy progress

The effort may provide near-term relief to the interconnection backlog, according to Advanced Energy Economy’s Jeff Dennis.

By Ethan Howland • June 2, 2022

Minnesota, Iowa agencies support Alliant Energy-led complaint seeking lower ITC Midwest equity ratio

Lowering the transmission company’s equity ratio would save ratepayers $114 million over four years, according to the complaint.

By Ethan Howland • June 1, 2022

MISO proposes giving incumbent utilities certain transmission projects in pending $10.4B buildout

MISO’s proposal centers on a set of transmission lines that could support about 53 GW of wind, solar, hybrid and stand-alone battery projects, which are slated to be voted on by the grid operator’s board on July 25.

By Ethan Howland • May 26, 2022

New York utilities fear 'potentially unlimited' obligation under proposed refund rules for prolonged outages

The new rules were required by lawmakers after Tropical Storm Isaias left more than a million New Yorkers without power in 2020, in some instances for days.

By Robert Walton • May 24, 2022

NERC sounds alarm on solar tripping in 'sobering' summer reliability report

Electric grid operators may struggle with resource shortages, droughts and extreme temperatures this summer, according to North America's grid watchdog.

By Robert Walton • May 19, 2022

Calls for increased natural gas production ignore US infrastructure needs

While the President has recently shifted his narrative to support American natural gas, his administration continues to introduce and implement policies that impact our industry through added delays and costs, the author writes.

By Amy Andryszak • May 16, 2022

White House vows to speed up environmental review for federal projects

The new action plan will help streamline permitting and accelerate projects, Biden administration officials said Wednesday.

By Julie Strupp • May 12, 2022

New Maine utility law requires integrated planning to support state goals, sets penalties for reliability failures

Maine's electric utilities have been "rock bottom" on customer service in recent years, say advocates. The new law requires utilities to undertake an integrated grid planning process that directly supports Maine's clean energy goals.

By Robert Walton • May 11, 2022

DOE plans to buy capacity on proposed power lines in first step for $2.5B transmission funding program

However, it's unclear how much transmission development the program will support, according to experts.

By Ethan Howland • May 11, 2022

FERC, state regulators eye options for clearing up interconnection 'quagmire,' allocating upgrade costs

Federal and state officials generally agreed studying interconnection requests in clusters could speed the process, but there was no consensus on who should pay for upgrades.

By Ethan Howland • May 9, 2022

Digital transformation for utilities: a strategic approach

Despite the rise of digital transformation, the construction industry — in particular, utility infrastructure construction — lags behind. How can digital transformation help utilities face their challenges?

By Robert Schultz, Electric Utility Industry Specialist, Locusview • May 9, 2022

Can FERC convince utilities to build modern transmission systems?

The challenge before FERC is to ensure that transmission development is guided by consumer benefits and is not dictated by utility self-interest, the author writes. 

By Ari Peskoe • May 4, 2022

SunZia, NV Energy, Pinnacle West-Berkshire transmission projects advance across the Southwest

The projects could unlock 10,000 MW of renewable energy, according to the Department of the Interior.

By Ethan Howland • May 4, 2022