Are utility investments in natural gas a good bet?

Storage, solar and nuclear have all been talked about as potentially leapfrogging natural gas, long known as the “bridge fuel.” So why are utilities doubling down?

By Robert Walton • Oct. 27, 2015

Florida Power & Light tapped as nation's most reliable utility

PA Consulting Group called the Florida utility "an incredibly focused organization that is embracing technology and innovation."

By Robert Walton • Oct. 27, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Grid Resiliency

The risk from natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires and heat waves is compounded by rising demand for power that threatens to put additional strain on the grid, as well as cyber and physical attacks on critical infrastructure.

By Utility Dive staff

Duke Energy to buy Piedmont Natural Gas for $4.9B

Duke will pay a 42% premium on Piedmont's stock price for a deal that would add about 1 million new gas customers for the utility giant.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 26, 2015

Pennsylvania PUC approves PECO's $274M reliability, microgrid program

The Philadelphia-based utility's proposal includes up to $100 million for a microgrid pilot to enhance grid resiliency. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 26, 2015

After fending off cyber attack, FirstEnergy says government coordination lacking

The government's response – or lack thereof – following an attempted denial of service attack on FirstEnergy this week highlights a lack of coordination between industry and federal officials. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2015

ISIS joins the list of US power grid threats, lawmakers call for stronger cyber defenses

Reports indicate the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria have unsuccessfully attempted to hack the United States power grid, sparking calls from lawmakers and enforcement officials for stronger cyber defenses for utilities.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2015

PG&E signs Obama's climate pledge, commits $3B annually in grid modernization

Pacific Gas & Electric yesterday joined other corporate leaders at a roundtable with President Obama, where the utility signed on to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge to commit to reach 60% carbon free energy. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2015

Boulder defends push to form municipal utility ahead of PUC hearing

Boulder defended its bid to form a municipal utility to Colorado regulators last week as Xcel Energy argued sharing city-owned lines to service customers outside of the city's boundaries violates its right to serve. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2015

After PSC ruling, large Wisc. customers may buy power at wholesale prices

Large utility customers who are expanding their operations can now apply to purchase power at wholesale rates in Wisconsin.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2015

FERC: Grid operators, fuel supplies prepared for a mild winter

With natural gas prices low and moderate temperatures expected this winter, FERC's 2015-2016 Winter Energy Market Assessment predicts grid operators will have little trouble meeting demand, but the Northeast will still see higher fuel prices. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2015

90 miles of high-profile CapX2020 transmission line electrified

The CapX2020 project, owned by Xcel Energy and five others, will help build out wind generation in the Midwest.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2015

Defying the usual headlines: How utility-solar collaborations are helping solar grow

The Solar Electric Power Association awarded five utilities, individuals and partners for collaborating on policies and programs to push solar as a power resource at the Solar Power International conference earlier this year. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 15, 2015

Under pressure, Duke Energy to consider alternatives for Carolinas modernization plan

Duke Energy says it needs more time to cosider 9,000 comments it received on a proposed transmission line along the border of North Carolina and South Carolina.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 14, 2015

How 'grid neutrality' can build the backbone for the modern grid

Nagging debates over how, where and who should deploy distributed resources could be settled by principals that ensure an impartial grid, a new report argues.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 12, 2015

South Carolina utilities hold strong throughout historic rains

Despite being called a 1,000-year storm, power utilities in South Carolina weathered the flooding well, though Duke Energy Progress said it has restored power to about a half million customers.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2015

Colorado delays decision on Boulder municipal plan

The Public Utilities Commission narrowed the focus to a question of regulated monopolies and asked both sides to file briefs, delaying the case. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2015

House energy committee passes grid modernization bill

The Energy and Commerce Committee passed the measure by 32-20 in a bipartisan vote to protect crucial infrastructure from 21st century threats such as grid security, severe weather and moderizing grid infrastructure. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2015

Sandy in mind, East Coast utilities prep for Hurricane Joaquin

Remembering Hurricane Sandy's cataclysmic impact, East Coast electrical utilities are preparing to forstall any aftershocks of Hurricane Joaquin, which is predicted to hit the U.S. late in the weekend or early Monday.  

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2015

Hunt files $18B bid with Texas regulators to buy Oncor

Hunt's proposal seeks to convert Oncor into a real estate investment trust, a structure that's already raised eyebrows in the power sector.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 30, 2015

SPP expands operations with 3 new members, 6 states

The Southwest Power Pool began providing reliability coordination services to the Integrated System in June, and will take over operational control tonight. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2015

How storage will shape the future of concentrated solar power

CSP may not be the hottest topic in the solar or storage sectors, but its backers point out that it offers large scale renewable generation that is in many cases fully dispatchable.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 29, 2015

Newly-opened NJ offshore wind tract could yield 3,400 MW of capacity

The federal government has opened nearly 350,000 acres of ocean off the coast of New Jersey to wind development in a bid to meet President Obama's clean energy goals.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2015

How to become the 'Utility of the Future?' Industry experts weigh in

The key to creating the utility of the future is combining consumer demands with emerging technology in smart grids, energy efficiency and distribution generation, experts said during the 2015 Solar Power International conference. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2015

Duke simplifies microgrid development process for NC fire department

Duke Energy has developed a microgrid using only standard utility equipment, in a pilot program aimed at boosting reliability at a North Carolina fire department while also lowering development costs on distributed resources.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2015

After PUC rebuke, Boulder signals new flexibility in muni proceeding

Boulder, Colorado wants to form a municipal utility but after regulatory staff sided with incumbent utility Xcel Energy on the plan city officials have had to make changes to their proposal.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2015