FERC audit pushes greater independence for SPP market monitor

SPP does not have an independent market monitor and that appears unlikely to change after the audit.

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2016

Arizona regulators approve APS demand management, efficiency programs

Approval will allow APS to develop strategies to integrate storage into their demand management programs.

By Peter Maloney • July 15, 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

Missouri PSC procedural decision delays Grain Belt Express transmission hearings

The Missouri PSC has rejected Clean Line Energy's Grain Belt Express transmission project on procedural grounds, forcing the company to delay submission of its application until Aug. 29.

By Peter Maloney • July 15, 2016

How well do consumers understand rooftop solar economics?

A Federal Trade Commission workshop on competition and consumer protection in the DG solar power industry attracted a wide range of comments.

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2016

Sonnen cuts battery system cost 40% to serve self-consumption market

Seeing an opportunity in changes to net metering policies, Sonnen has introduced a cheaper battery without backup power features.

By Peter Maloney • July 8, 2016

Minnesota Power refiles plan to lower industrial customer rates

Rejected earlier this year, the amended filing reduces the rate impact on residential customers and places limits on the number of industrial facilities which can take advantage of the lower power prices.

By Robert Walton • July 8, 2016

Come together? DER aggregation sparks more confusion than consensus in power sector

Utilities and DER providers have divergent opinions on how the aggregation of distributed resources will develop, according to a recent GTM survey.  

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2016

PacifiCorp entry to Western EIM could boost carbon emissions, critics say

The Sierra Club said a preliminary study by California ISO modeling scenarios to include PacifiCorp in the Western Energy Imbalance Market failed to detail long-term impacts from the utility's coal fleet. 

By Peter Maloney • July 7, 2016

NYISO: Despite efficiency, DER gains, new transmission needed for low-carbon grid

Efficiency and DERs are pushing down load, the grid operator said in a new report, but system upgrades will be needed to meet state clean energy goals. 

By Gavin Bade • July 7, 2016

New York Green Bank aims to grow portfolio by two-thirds next year

The bank aims to spur innovative reneweable energy projects that would otherwise have trouble attracting investment. 

By Peter Maloney • July 7, 2016

Great Plains Energy subsidiary proposes 7.5% rate increase for Missouri customers

Missouri regulators are still debating a proposal from its parent company, Great Plains Energy, to take over Kansas utility Westar Energy. 

By Robert Walton • July 7, 2016

Indiana regulators approve Duke's $1.4B grid modernization plan

Regulators denied the utility's initial application last year, instructing Duke to provide more details and focus on electric grid projects.

By Robert Walton • July 6, 2016

California dreaming: Utilities uneasy with regulator's vision to remake their business model

Commissioner Florio wants a fundamental rethinking of utility revenues and distributed resources, but his proposal has critics on all sides.

By Peter Maloney • July 6, 2016

Inside the first municipal solar-plus-storage project in the US

The Village of Minster tackled a solar-plus-storage project to diversify its portfolio and now looks to build a microgrid to protect its key C&I customers from power outages. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 5, 2016

Five years in, Boulder's municipalization fight could be drawing to a close

Boulder is in negotiations with Xcel Energy on clean energy options that could end its bid to create a municipal utility. But the city hasn't given up yet.

By Robert Walton • July 5, 2016

NextEra decision looming, Hawaii lawmakers consider suing Gov. Ige over PUC appointment

The governor appointed a commission lawyer to the regulatory post without legislative approval ahead of a decision on the largest business deal in Hawaii history. 

By Peter Maloney • July 5, 2016

California power regulation market doubled to 800 MW a day in first quarter

Total payments for power regulation services quadrupled to $400,000 per day in the first three months of 2016.

By Peter Maloney • July 1, 2016

Despite PSC opposition, Missouri governor throws support behind Grain Belt Express project

Clean Line Energy Partners' proposed transmission line would mean a $500 million investment in Missouri, according to Gov. Jay Nixon. 

By Robert Walton • July 1, 2016

Maryland, Delaware governors say PJM transmission project hurts ratepayers in both states

PJM Interconnection's Artificial Island transmission project would construct an underwater cable between nuclear plants in New Jersey's Artificial Island area under the Delaware River in an effort to boost reliability. 

By Robert Walton • July 1, 2016

Virginia Gov. McAuliffe issues executive order to cut GHG emissions

The governor directed state agencies to find a way to cut emissions from the power sector that does not need approval from the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

By Peter Maloney • June 30, 2016

After Diablo Canyon: PG&E CEO Tony Earley on renewables, DERs and California's energy future

The same resources pushing the giant nuclear plant offline will be key to the utility's future in a low carbon economy. 

By Gavin Bade • June 30, 2016

Seeking more renewables, Kit Carson Co-op exits relationship with Tri-State G&T

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative has exited its relationship with Tri-State Generation & Transmission and will buy renewable power from a private company instead.

By Peter Maloney • June 29, 2016

FERC upholds right of cooperatives to buy from independent generators

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has upheld the right of cooperatives to buy power under PURPA.

By Peter Maloney • June 27, 2016

3 transmission projects that illustrate the importance in modernizing the grid

Big power line expansions in ERCOT, SPP and MISO are helping shape a cleaner energy system, but building them was a slog.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 24, 2016

How storage can help solve the distributed energy 'death spiral'

A new Navigant paper lays out three examples of how storage can facilitate the transition to a more distributed grid.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 21, 2016