Assessing the costs and benefits of distributed energy to the grid of the future

The Electric Power Research Institute is working to perfect a method to calculate distribute energy’s costs and benefits for all stakeholders.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 23, 2015

For top utilities, customer satisfaction hinges on empowerment

It's not enough to provide reliable, affordable power anymore. If you want satisfied customers, you've got to provide them with timely, actionable information.

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2015

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

Cost overruns in SPP transmission projects draw ire of RTO's leaders

Over 85% of projects in SPP’s current pipeline have cost estimates that are inaccurate by 30% or more.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 22, 2015

FERC looks to address new cyber threats in updated reliability standards

The nation's electric supply is more vulnerable to hacking than many realize, and federal regulators are rushing to close gaps in security.

By Robert Walton • July 21, 2015

Inside Hawaii's landmark regulatory proceeding to value distributed resources

Phase 1 of the tumultuous proceeding has brought only 'general disagreement' among stakeholders.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 21, 2015

The Transportation Grid: How utilities can drive the future of transport

In this guest post, Patty Monahan and Dan Adler lay out a blueprint for utility leadership in electric transportation.

By Patty Monahan and Dan Adler • July 20, 2015

MDU proposal for 21% rate jump, new solar fees faces close scrutiny

Solar advocates say changes to the utility's net metering rules could stifle renewables growth.

By Robert Walton • July 20, 2015

CAISO approves plan to aggregate and market distributed energy resources

The plan, the first in the United States, looks to open market to rooftop solar, energy storage, and electric vehicles.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 20, 2015

SPP ups membership to 90 with 4 additions

The RTO added East River Electric Power Cooperative, Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative, Corn Belt Power Cooperative and NorthWestern Energy to its membership.

By Robert Walton • July 17, 2015

FirstEnergy will spin off remaining transmission assets, form new subsidiary

The company says a separate transmission company will be able to finance projects at a lower cost. 

By Gavin Bade • July 15, 2015

San Diego Gas & Electric proposes unique customer-sited energy storage rate

The utility wants regulators to approve discounts for customers who allow the utility to utilize their home batteries for grid services. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 15, 2015

NV Energy partners with Nevada on electric vehicle highway program

The utility and the state will work together to install charging stations on the highway from Las Vegas to Reno.

By Gavin Bade • July 15, 2015

How DOE is remaking itself to help utilities modernize the grid

Now's the time for utilities to take advantage of new partnership and research opportunities, the agency says.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 14, 2015

IPL breaks ground on 20MW storage facility for MISO ancillary services

AES Energy Storage installation will provide MISO with system balancing ancillary services.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 14, 2015

Duke considers buying into grid emergency services firm

The emergency services company would sell transformers and other transmission equipment to subscribers in the event of grid damage.

By Robert Walton • July 10, 2015

Power trade rises between US & Canada, boosting reliability

While it makes up just a small portion of the United States' electricity trades, sales to and imports from Canada are on the rise.

By Robert Walton • July 10, 2015

Michigan PSC directs utilities to offer time of use rates

The state's legislators had directed the Michigan Public Service Commission to consider ways to ensure no cross-subsidization existed between power consumers.

By Robert Walton • July 10, 2015

Inside Minnesota's disputed community solar deal

No one seems completely happy about the deal to limit the size of community solar arrays, but the market is set to expand anyway.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 9, 2015

Boulder files with regulators to acquire Xcel assets in bid to form municipal utility

The application, filed with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, focuses only on serving customers in the city and does not seek to take over any generation assets.

By Robert Walton • July 9, 2015

How California's biggest utilities plan to integrate distributed resources

New plans filed with state regulators show where DERs should go and how much they are worth to utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2015

California regulators mandate major residential electric rate reform

The new rate structure will have only two tiers and mandates that utilities put more focus on time-of-use rates.

By Gavin Bade • July 6, 2015

Duke to upgrade 36 MW storage facility to better serve Texas grid

Duke plans to replace the lead acid batteries with lithium-ion technology next year.

By Robert Walton • July 6, 2015

ITC offering transmission rights for Lake Erie Connector line

Line would tranverse Lake Erie to exchange electricity resources between Canada and PJM markets

By Herman K. Trabish • July 6, 2015

Missouri regulators reject Grain Belt Express transmission project

The decision leaves project organizers to ask the federal government for eminent domain in order to move ahead with the $2 billion project.

By Robert Walton • July 2, 2015

Connecticut regulators signal they may reject Iberdrola-UIL merger

Regulators issued a draft decision denying the deal, citing concerns over how the combined utility would be managed.

By Robert Walton • July 2, 2015