Solar Power Players: SEPA honorees look beyond the rooftop to manage dynamic grids

Distributed solar is just the first challenge coming to the grid edge. These utilities are tackling what's next.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 12, 2016

Xcel Energy reaches settlement on 600 MW Colorado wind farm

The agreement also allows Xcel to pursue an earlier construction schedule for the proposed Pawnee-Daniel Park Transmission Project pending regulatory approval. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2016

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

Electricity choice on the chopping block in Michigan as state debates reliability, renewables

Clean energy and efficiency could be the key to unlocking a bitter dispute over reliability and choice in the Great Lakes State. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 8, 2016

Uncle Sam's battery bank: ARPA-E spurs commercialization of innovative storage technology

The DOE is touting the success of its ARPA-E program for funding advanced technologies: $1.3 billion funded; $1.2 billion raised from private sources.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 7, 2016

Confidence in collaboration: Rhode Island targets a common perspective on DER values

Facing an impasse over DER rate design, Rhode Island regulators have initiated a new proceeding to find common ground on measures and expectations for distributed energy programs.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 6, 2016

Southern California Edison proposes $2.1B capex for DER integration

SCE did not provide forecast ranges for total capital expenditures through 2020, saying it has no prior experience with rate cases related to DER integration. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2016

Northeast utilities prepare for threat from tropical storm Hermine

The storm was downgraded from a hurricane this weekend, but it's still about 140 miles off the coast of Nantucket and moving west. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2016

Texas low-income ratepayer assist program ends after funds run out

Three years ago, lawmakers rescinded a surcharge that funded a program aimed at helping 700,000 low-income ratepayers pay their electrical bill. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2016

Winds of change: How the industry can continue wind power's boom into the 2020s

Better grid integration and lower tech costs will be key to continuing wind's record growth, but big market and policy obstacles are looming. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 1, 2016

NREL: Eastern Interconnect can handle 30% renewable energy

A new study says the Eastern U.S. grid could add another 400 GW of wind and solar power using existing technologies and grid management practices.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 1, 2016

PNM presses state regulators for a decision on rate increase request

Public Service Co. of New Mexico had requested a $123 million rate increase, but the proposal has been suspended through the end of next month.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2016

Public purpose microgrids: Mixed-ownership models spur utility investment in growing sector

Thinking of microgrids as public infrastructure — and financing them like it — could point the industry to new growth.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 30, 2016

AEP Ohio wants to double fixed charges, joining net metering debate

The utility wants a $10 increase in fixed charges to recover the cost to serve net metering customers.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2016

FERC approves CAISO tariff changes for demand response, distributed storage

Federal regulators approved California Independent System Operator tariff changes that tweak how non-generator resources bid into markets.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2016

ERCOT, SPP tout new real-time mapping tool to track power flows, manage grid

The Macomber Map is being used by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and Southwest Power Pool to visualize power flows and manage the bulk power system in real time.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2016

Munis, co-ops to propose revamp of PJM's capacity market structure

American Municipal Power is calling for a "comprehensive and holistic assessment" of PJM Interconnection's Reliability Pricing Model.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 2016

Fixed charge battle looms in Texas as regulators tackle rate design reform

A legislative effort to chart new ratemaking mechanisms in the Lone Star State has the utility sector drawing familiar battle lines.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 23, 2016

Industrial customers could depart Wisconsin over high electrical rates

The state's Strategic Energy Assessment 2022 finds rates are rising for all customer classes, though generation is expected to be adequate.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 2016

Landowner groups seek to block DOE approval of Clean Line transmission project

The Department of Energy signed on to the 700-mile, 4,000 MW Plains & Eastern Clean Line Project in March, but landowners are questioning the agency's decision-making process.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2016

Illinois attorney general reaches settlement with 'green' energy supplier

Washington, D.C.-based Ethical Electric Inc. told customers they were purchasing all renewable energy at prices just slightly above Commonwealth Edison's standard offer. That wasn't true, according to Illinois' top law enforcement agent.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 18, 2016

New Mexico regulators push PNM for details of protest over proposed rate increase

A hearing examiner recommended slashing Public Service Company of New Mexico's proposed $123 million rate increase. The utility has said it will appeal to the state's supreme court.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 18, 2016

MISO will start charging transmission fees on power exports to PJM

In July, federal regulators lifted restrictions on Multi-Value Project cost allocations, saying they were persuaded by the buildout of regional wind projects.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 17, 2016

Florida utility asks regulators to continue incentive program for wholesale power sales

Florida Power & Light wants to extend an incentive mechanism it says was designed to improve asset utilization. Critics say it creates an incentive for the utility to sell more gas and power.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2016

Stem secures $100M in financing to fuel battery deployment

Borrowing from the financing models that helped propel solar growth, some storage companies are using financial engineering to offer customers no-cost-down financing options for battery installations. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 12, 2016

Exelon to fund $25B in utility investments with revenue from generation subsidiary

The nation's largest utility holding company this week unveiled a growth plan focused on substantial investments in its six regulated electric and gas utilities.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 12, 2016