How leading utilities are planning for distributed energy resources

DER growth can be a blessing or a curse. New software platforms can help with preparation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 6, 2018

Eversource vows to appeal NH Northern Pass rejection

Massachusetts chose the Northern Pass transmission project to help meet the state's renewable energy goals, but New Hampshire's rejection has thrown the project into doubt.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 5, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

DC Circuit rejects bid to block Mountain Valley pipeline construction

An environmental group argued FERC uses tolling orders to avoid judicial oversight of its pipeline siting decisions. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 5, 2018

Embattled PREPA announces new grid modernization plan amid privatization push

The governing board of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has formally adopted a plan to transform how the utility operates that would boost resilience. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2018

New Hampshire rejects Northern Pass transmission, throwing project into doubt

The decision is sparking concern in Massachusetts, which just last week selected the project to help meet state clean energy goals. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2018

DC Circuit ruling could halt Sabal Trail pipeline construction

In a rebuke to FERC's pipeline approval process, judges declined to review an August ruling that the agency did not properly assess carbon impacts of the pipeline. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 1, 2018

For utilities, the new corporate tax cuts are a double-edged sword

Reports from Brattle and Moody's say tax cuts will squeeze utility cash flows, potentially hurting credit quality. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 1, 2018

PREPA requests $1.3B loan to cover revenue shortfall post-Maria

Officials fear a revenue shortfall of up to $1.2 billion in the next six months. Nearly half of the Island's residents are still without power, four months after Hurricane Maria hit the island. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2018

The best laid plans of state regulators are now aimed at building a better distribution system

Regulators are pushing utilities to plan for the rising penetrations of distributed energy resources, but they're doing it in many ways.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 30, 2018

Massachusetts AG to review Northern Pass project selection process

The project was one of the more expensive options for an RFP that sought projects to supply the state with 9,450,000 MWh of renewable energy annually. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2018

'Year of the grid': DER management takes center stage at DistribuTECH

The distributed energy revolution hinges on the development of new software platforms that can help utilities make sense of a deluge of grid data.  

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 29, 2018

Massachusetts chooses Northern Pass transmission project for clean energy goal

Eversource and Hydro-Québec will use the line to bring hydroelectricity from Canada to Massachusetts.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2018

New York regulators greenlight third CCA program

Five upstate municipalities will now make bulk purchases of electricity and natural gas for their residents and small businesses. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2018

Will the country's first mandatory residential demand charge slow the Massachusetts solar boom?

Opponents of the charge, approved as part of an Eversource rate case, say it could harm the growth of solar and other distributed energy resources by significantly increasing costs for customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 25, 2018

Delaware legislation aims to give leverage over controversial Artificial Island project

Arkansas lawmakers also pushed back against a transmission line built by Clean Line Energy Partners, asking Energy Secretary Rick Perry to withdraw the Energy Department's involvement. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2018

FERC finalizes emergency preparedness and reliability standards

The rules will help to analyze the impact of system events on the reliability of the bulk electric system, and determine the responsibilities of entities that support system restoration from blackstart resources.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2018

Getting to 'head-spinning' low prices for U.S. offshore wind

Projected additions to U.S. offshore wind capacity are expected to drive the emergence of the domestic support system the sector needs to drive prices closer to other generation options.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2018

Puerto Rico governor moves to privatize utility PREPA

The nation's largest public utility, long beset by underinvestment and mismanagement, has been under fire for its response to Hurricane Maria.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 23, 2018

FERC approves PennEast pipeline in 4-1 vote, Glick dissents

Pipeline owners aim to start construction this year, but still must obtain environmental permits from New Jersey, where local sentiment against the project remains strong. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 22, 2018

Pennsylvania to study changes to utility billing practice

Utility regulators have ordered additional study of a customer billing practice known as Supplier Consolidated Billing. The en banc hearing will explore if the practice is legal and what are the potential benefits.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 19, 2018

ISO-New England: Maintaining reliability will become challenging as gas dependence rises

All but a few of the fuel shortage scenarios considered in the grid operator's report anticipate load shedding and rolling blackouts due to gas demand and poor infrastructure. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 18, 2018

Florida Power & Light to use tax savings to pay for Irma damage

The utility says using tax savings to pay for $1.3 billion in storm damage allows it to avoid raising rates.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2018

There once was an energy storage system on Nantucket...

When the island's summer population swells, peak energy demand doubles. That's a recipe for disaster in a town dependent on tourism. But energy storage may be the answer.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2018

Why are the newest distribution system buzzwords 'hosting capacity analysis'?

To meet customer demand for distributed energy resources, utilities need to know what their systems can handle.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 17, 2018

Shuttered coal plant fixer-uppers for sale all over the U.S.

More than half of all coal plants are, or will soon be, shuttered. Collaboration and compromise by some are beginning to reveal ways to reclaim the sites for new purposes.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 16, 2018