Pushing for scalability, utilities look to new hybrid models for microgrid deployment

Utilities are searching for standardized microgrid models that allow both end users and the wider grid to benefit.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 23, 2017

Updated: California lawmaker proposes to target 100% renewables by 2045

The bill would also set California's current 50% renewables mandate deadline at 2025, instead of 2030. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 22, 2017

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

Herding cats: California PUC President Picker on the new DER Action Plan

A new regulatory roadmap aims to guide the power sector into the distributed energy future, but is everyone along for the ride? 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 21, 2017

Connecticut DEEP rejects two utility storage pilots as too costly

Eversource and Avangrid were sent back to the drawing board on two substation-sited storage projects. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 21, 2017

Tres Amigas truncates transmission tie

The project that hoped to link the three U.S. regional grids has been pared down to connect only two. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2017

PJM board approves $1.5B in system upgrades

The grid operator has now approved almost $31 billion in projects and enhancements related to its Regional Transmission Expansion Plan.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2017

NARUC 2017: A little less climate and a lot more infrastructure

Donald Trump's election has shifted state regulators' focus from carbon regulation to pipelines.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 16, 2017

California regulators to consider shuttering Aliso Canyon gas storage facility

The gas storage facility was the site of the nation's worst-ever methane leak, which curtailed fuel supplies to area generators. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2017

Invenergy launches energy investment fund with stake in cloud company Aquilon

The developer's first fund will not invest in physical projects or equipment, but in companies that use technology to improve the operation of energy assets.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 13, 2017

EEI promises collaboration with Trump administration on energy, tax policy

Edison Electric Institute officials also said the trend toward cleaner power will continue as prices for natural gas, renewable energy and new technology fall.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2017

Morgan Stanley: US energy storage market could grow to 145 GWh with FERC support

A current "addressable" market of 85 GWh could nearly double if FERC allows utilities to deploy storage in organized power markets, a new report forecasts. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 9, 2017

What the US can learn from Australia's innovative approach to grid transformation planning

A 'no-regrets' approach aims to build a grid that can handle DERs at 40% of consumer households.

By Mark Higgins • Feb. 8, 2017

How utility data sharing is helping the New York REV build the grid of the future

Making detailed grid data public can enable more clean resources and cut consumer costs. The REV docket shows just how difficult that can be. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 8, 2017

Looming tax reforms and regulatory changes could challenge utilities' financials

If proposed tax reforms and regulatory changes from the Republican-led Congress and the Trump administration succeed, what will they mean for utilities? 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 6, 2017

Reframing LCOE: New interactive tool expands the scope of generation cost comparisons

A new project from UT-Austin compares the full cost of electricity from 10 different generation resources in every U.S. county.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 2, 2017

Zibelman exit interview: How the New York REV is paving the way for transactive energy

As she prepares to leave her post, New York PSC Chair Audrey Zibelman says the REV docket is well on its way to transforming utility operations.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 1, 2017

Shape, shimmy, shed: Renewables are revamping DR's future value in California

Growing flexibility and renewable resources mean simple peak load curtailment will have less value in the future.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2017

Texas residents used the most electricity in 2015, EIA data shows

California and Florida claimed the second and third spots for the most electricity usage for that year. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 31, 2017

With FERC shorthanded, insiders worry energy sector permitting will 'grind to a halt'

After this week, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will not have enough members to issue major decisions, and confirming a new regulator could take months.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 31, 2017

Hawaii lawmakers mull performance-based rates for HECO

The bill would require state regulators to tie performance incentives and penalty mechanisms to utility revenues.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2017

Canada's AtlaGas makes bid for mid-Atlantic WGL Holdings

The energy company's bid highlights growing interest among Canadian companies to snatch up U.S. power and energy assets. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2017

District of Columbia PSC launches grid modernization proceeding

The nation's capital is looking to modernize its electric sector in a new docket similar to reforms underway in New York and California.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2017

Virginia lawmakers advance transmission bill allowing utilities to skirt local zoning regulations

The measure would ease siting of 138-kilovolt transmission line projects for Appalachian Power.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2017

Trump infrastructure priority plan includes transmission, wind, energy storage

An 50-item infrastructure priority list reported yesterday includes seven provisions for modernizing the nation's energy system.  

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 25, 2017

Power & Gas Index: 8 regional charts show the link between gas and electricity markets

Introducing Utility Dive's Power & Gas Index, a new series that focuses on the relationship between electricity and gas markets throughout the U.S. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2017