Why utilities say grid security is the most pressing sector issue of 2017

The successful hack of Ukraine's electric grid in late 2015 got the sector's attention, Utility Dive's recent survey shows.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 10, 2017

How New York is incentivizing utilities to interconnect DERs under REV

Regulators want to reward utilities for better performance on key tasks like DER interconnection — the question is how.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2017

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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

Michigan regulators plan EV conference after utility withdraws 800-charger plan

Consumers Energy, car companies and charging station developers will work together this summer to devise a charging plan that works for both the utility and the private market. 

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2017

PacifiCorp long-term plan includes 3 GW of renewable energy

The six-state, $3.5 billion plan also predicts efficiency will offset 88% of forecasted demand growth over the next decade.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2017

Defying Trump, Supreme Court will continue with WOTUS case

President Trump's administration had asked the justices to put the case on hold as the Waters of the U.S. rule is reconsidered.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2017

National Grid proposes 1,200 MW Canada-New England transmission line

The Granite State Power Link would be a commercial project, not funded by National Grid ratepayers.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2017

Generators, business group file federal court petitions to halt Illinois nuclear supports

EPSA and a group of local citizens and businesses say the zero-emission credits would intrude on FERC's jurisdiction over wholesale power markets and have “a disruptive effect on energy auctions."

By Peter Maloney • April 4, 2017

Primer: Technology, consumer sentiment push utilities to new business models

The move to a cleaner, more distributed energy system is pushing wholesale changes to how utilities make money and plan their power grids. 

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2017

Pushed by REV, ConEd tests new utility business models in New York

The nation's largest city is the proving ground for a slate of REV pilot projects aimed at modernizing operations and diversifying revenue.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2017

The top 5 states for utility grid modernization and business model reform

From expansive sector redesigns to step-by-step DER dockets, states across the nation are rethinking the grid and how utilities make money off it. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 3, 2017

Boulder's new muni plan would allow Xcel to retain distribution control during transition

Boulder, Colo., has been trying to form a municipal utility for five years. Its newest plan would sidestep some of the more controversial aspects of past proposals.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2017

PJM: Gas plant buildout, coal retirements don't threaten reliability

A new report from the grid operator noted that more reliance on any single generation resource introduces resilience risks not accounted for under traditional reliability standards.

By Peter Maloney • March 31, 2017

How California lawmakers plan to align renewable generation with power demand

Two new bills present distinct approaches to align wind and solar output with the state's electricity load.  

By Herman K. Trabish • March 30, 2017

National Grid's proposed transmission line will ship 1.2 GW of renewables from Canada

The $1 billion project would compete with Eversource’s Northern Pass transmission effort to ship renewable energy from Canada to the Northeast. 

By Peter Maloney • March 30, 2017

Why utilities don't think Trump will stop the clean energy transition

The next generation utility business model will rely on a cleaner, more distributed energy system regardless of what happens in Washington, according to our new 2017 State of the Electric Utility Survey.

By Gavin Bade • March 28, 2017

In search of a quorum: 3 potential FERC nominees bring deep business and energy backgrounds

The potential candidates for three open spots at FERC would restore a quorum and possibly align the agency more closely with big business interests. 

By Peter Maloney • March 27, 2017

Consumer, energy interests protest APS' proposed rate hike

AARP, industrial customers and some energy advocates remain opposed to the Arizona utility's rate plan, despite a landmark settlement with solar interests. 

By Robert Walton • March 27, 2017

'Million rate bases': TFC makes the case for a new IOU business model in Hawaii

A fledgling holding company wants utilities to connect their customers with distributed resources — and earn a rate of return for doing so.

By Gavin Bade • March 24, 2017

Reliability hinges on behind-the-meter data, grid operator coalition says

Nine grid operators have released a report concluding power reliability depends on how renewables and distributed resources are managed together.

By Robert Walton • March 22, 2017

'They're not meters or ratepayers': Inside Austin Energy's customer-focused business strategy

By offering its customers an aggressive lineup of energy products to match their needs, interests and values, the utility is lowering customer bills at the same time.

By Robert Walton • March 22, 2017

PJM market monitor opposes Illinois nuclear subsidies

The market monitor argues the state's subsidies “unlawfully intruded” on FERC's authority over wholesale interstate electricity sales. 

By Peter Maloney • March 22, 2017

Minnesota lawmakers send bill to amend regulatory oversight for rural co-ops to governor's desk

The bill would ensure that the Public Service Commission would no longer hear disputes over rural co-op fees.

By Robert Walton • March 20, 2017

Is 100% renewable energy the best goal to cut power sector emissions?

A new literature review argues keeping some nuclear and CCS on the system could be more cost-effective than relying solely on renewable energy resources for decarbonization. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 20, 2017

ComEd launches community storage pilot project outside of Chicago

The aim of the Community Energy Storage (CES) project is to improve reliability for customers experiencing multiple interruptions, particularly in extreme weather.

By Peter Maloney • March 17, 2017

Florida committee advances FPL-backed bills on ratepayer fracking charges, transmission siting

Florida Power & Light is still pushing for authority to charge electric customers for gas production after the state Supreme Court shut its program down last year. 

By Robert Walton • March 17, 2017