8 utilities partner to stockpile emergency power transformers

The new company, for a fee, allows transmission owners access to emergency equipment in the event of physical attacks, cyber intrusions and environmental disasters.

By Robert Walton • June 15, 2015

Regulators put the brakes on companies seeking to abandon Nevada Power service

State regulators will not allow Switch to switch power providers, but the company will be allowed to reapply in the future.

By Robert Walton • June 15, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

AI in the Power Sector

Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

By Utility Dive staff

How utilities are finding new revenue streams to combat stagnant load growth

Physical assets and customer relationships offer great opportunities outside power generation & delivery.

By Robert Walton • June 15, 2015

NextEra leads pack of bidders for Texas utility Oncor

CenterPoint Energy Inc., Berkshire Hathaway and Hunt Consolidated have all been mentioned as potential suitors for the Texas utility, but Bloomberg reports NextEra may be the frontrunner.

By Robert Walton • June 12, 2015

Minnesota utility regulators approve special EV charging rates

Minnesota regulators directed investor-owned utilities to offer special electric vehicle charging rates, saying they expect the popularity of the cars to take off as consumers see the convenience and environmental benefits.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2015

Squirrel knocks out power to 45,000 PG&E customers

Company officials say a squirrel on Monday night got into the El Cerrito substation, doing enough damage to knock out power for more than two hours.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2015

Storage update: Inside the sector's hot Q1 and what's next for utilities & suppliers

Storage capacity is on track to triple this year, grow 13 times over by 2019, GTM Research predicts.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 11, 2015

Experts warn of escalating grid security issues after PG&E break-in

After a PG&E substation was vandalized in March, federal law enforcement began investigating and security experts are warning the utility grid is vulnerable in a variety of ways from cyber intrusions to physical break-ins.

By Robert Walton • June 10, 2015

Hunt Consolidated in talks to acquire Texas utility Oncor

A real estate investment trust managed by Hunt told the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission it is in talks to acquire the Texas utility.

By Robert Walton • June 10, 2015

Maine turns to battery storage to avoid transmission investment

The state was looking at innovative ways to solve a power shortage on its Boothbay peninsula and found a battery solution to be the most cost-effective.

By Robert Walton • June 9, 2015

Alaska co-op to install hybrid storage for renewables integration

Chugach Electric Association is working with Beacon Power to develop a hybrid flywheel and battery energy storage project.

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2015

Advanced Microgrid Solutions taps Tesla in huge battery buy for CA grid

AMS plans to install up to 500 MWh of Tesla batteries for energy storage projects with California utilities. 

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2015

White House, GOP find agreement on energy infrastructure issues

The Obama administration's plan to spend billions modernizing the electric grid has found common ground with some Republicans.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2015

Missouri regulators indicate they will reject Grain Belt Express transmission line

3 Commissioners say the benefits of new wires don't justify granting eminent domain.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 4, 2015

SDG&E microgrid uses solar, storage to avoid outage in small town

In May, San Diego Gas & Electric used a microgrid to supply power to almost 3,000 people during planned maintenance of its system.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2015

How utilities can thrive through the 'all-encompassing evolution' of the grid

Over the next two decades, Navigant Research believes the global power distribution system will be fundamentally changed in ways that require utilities to re-examine their traditional business models.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2015

Utilities claim MISO charges millions in unjustified transmission fees

Southern Co. and three utilities located in Missouri claim the Midcontinent ISO has been overcharhing them by millions to bring power across the Entergy grid which the regional operator began managing in 2013.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2015

New York funds 7 energy storage projects for REV initiative

New York continues to transform its utility industry through its Reforming the Energy Vision intiaitive.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2015

Texas renewables mandate repeal bill flounders in state House

Sen. Troy Fraser's SB 931 to end the Texas renewables mandate and defund a transmission build out is going nowhere.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2015

NRG, ITC partner in proposed $3.5B bailout Puerto Rico's troubled utility

The two companies have reportedly partnered with a private investment firm in a $3.5 billion deal to assist the island's ailing utility.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2015

How climate change threatens the Western grid, and what to do about it

Current estimates of reserve margins could be as much as 25% off, according to new research.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 29, 2015

How new transmission is unlocking wind power's potential in Michigan's Thumb

Michigan’s comprehensive transmission planning previews what is possible for the Clean Power Plan.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 26, 2015

Xcel approved to fly drones to monitor transmission, gas assets

Xcel joins a growing number of utilities authorized to operate unmanned aircraft to survey their assets.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2015

Arizona Public Service will join California Energy Imbalance Market

The Phoenix-based utility expects to begin participating in California's new Energy Imbalance Market beginning in the fall of 2016.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2015

Duke will shutter Asheville coal plant, replace it with 650 MW of natural gas

The $1.1B build-out will include new transmission infrastructure and a solar array.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 20, 2015