How utilities can reverse declining customer satisfaction and still make money

“Ultimately, what separates the best from the worst, so to speak, really comes down power reliability."

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2015

Indianapolis Power & Light to invest $25M in storage facility

The batteries could improve frequency modulation on IPL's system, though the final location will likely come down to real estate taxes.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 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

New MN line will allow Manitoba hydro to provide storage for Midwest renewables

Minnesota regulators unanimously approved the Great Northern Transmission line last week.

By Robert Walton • May 19, 2015

Invenergy bringing over 60 MW of storage online for PJM frequency regulation

Two 31.5 MW storage facilities will take PJM’s storage pipeline to well over 150 MW.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 19, 2015

What a 50% renewables mandate means for California

A new report says billions of dollars in clean energy development could be unlocked, but it will mean big changes for utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 19, 2015

Wright-Hennepin: A case study in utility transformation

Solar is helping the small co-op survive amist competition from large IOUs and flat load growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 18, 2015

Utilities can rate base EV charging stations under new Washington law

Observers hope that eager utilities and Washington’s emissions-free hydro electricity will power EV growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 18, 2015

NEC Energy Solutions plans 60MW of storage for PJM market

The A123 battery owner joins SunEdison’s Solar Grid Storage, Alevo, and AES Energy Storage in providing frequency regulation for PJM.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 15, 2015

MISO, SPP settling spats, working together on 4 new transmission projects

The transmission projects could help paper over recent disputes over Entergy and MISO's use of SPP infrastructure.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 13, 2015

Report: Iowa wind can help nearby states meet EPA emissions standards

Iowa wind’s capacity factor makes wind cheap enough to serve Illinois, Indiana, and other points to the east.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 11, 2015

17 utilities partner with DOE to boost climate resiliency on the grid

Climate change will make severe weather even more of a threat to the grid, and the DOE is trying to help power companies prepare.

By Robert Walton • May 11, 2015

CenterPoint files to build $300M transmission line to serve Houston

State utility regulators will decide within 180 days whether to approve the project, which ERCOT has already backed. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 11, 2015

Duke moves further into natural gas with stake in $3B pipeline

Electric utilities are increasingly getting into the gas production and delivery business to hedge against price spikes.

By Gavin Bade • May 6, 2015

How utilities can leverage their grids to integrate solar faster and cheaper

Clean Coalition’s Solar Siting Survey is a first step toward DER optimization at the community and utility levels.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 5, 2015

3 serious failures in transmission planning and how to fix them

Why regulators and policymakers must see not just the cost of new transmission but the costs of not having it, too.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 4, 2015

PJM names new CEO; Terry Boston to step down later this year

Following a transitional period, Andrew Ott will serve as PJM's newest president and CEO.

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2015

Why NERC thinks the EPA Clean Power Plan could threaten grid reliability

The federal non-profit in charge of reliability says the plan may not allow enough time to build new generation and transmission.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 28, 2015

New England governors vow to collaborate to expand gas pipelines

The region's reliance on natural gas is threatening reliability and raising, six governors said in a statement pushing for more pipeline construction.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2015

Wisconsin PSC approves ATC-Xcel transmission to bring wind power to MISO

Opponents argue it will block Wisconsin’s solar, demand response and efficiency growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 27, 2015

13 fascinating charts that show the state of American energy

The DOE's Quadrennial Energy Review is nearly 350 pages, but Utility Dive knows you like pictures.

By Gavin Bade • April 27, 2015

Gas development: Not just for gas companies anymore

Companies that use natural gas are beginning to invest in that sector as a hedge against price volatility.

By Robert Walton • April 24, 2015

Senate bill would allow FERC to overrule state siting decisions on power lines

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich proposed the measure, saying the nation;s transmission system must be modernized in order to integrate clean power sources.

By Robert Walton • April 24, 2015

AEP burned 15% less coal in Q1 as gas and power prices fell

Low gas prices picked up the slack as the utility moves toward the lower-priced resource.

By Gavin Bade and Robert Walton • April 24, 2015

FERC alters nomination schedule to better align power, natural gas markets

Federal regulators stopped short of changing the start of the gas day, a victory for the natural gas industry.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2015

White House calls for billions in new grid infrastructure spending in QER

The first Quadrennial Energy Review recommends spending billions of dollars to bolster gas transportation assets and modernize the electric grid.

By Robert Walton • April 22, 2015