NY PSC, utilities appeal FERC's capacity zone order

New York's Public Service Commission and several utilities filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals to overturn a FERC order imposing a capacity zone in the Lower Hudson Valley.

By Claire Cameron • June 30, 2014

Research: Microgrid business ready to boom

Microgrid capacity to nearly double by end of 2017.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 27, 2014

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

Inside Massachusetts' ambitious plans to modernize the grid

Energy efficiency and demand response are to be the backbone of Massachusetts' future grid, but many are asking: Does the vision go far enough?

By Claire Cameron • June 27, 2014

Texas CREZ lines delivering grid benefits at $7B price tag

The transmission build out has helped spread intermittent wind across a greater footprint.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 25, 2014

Can geothermal replace fossil fuels in the West?

Geothermal is a cost-competitive and renewable baseload resource. So why aren't utilities adding more to the mix?

By Herman K. Trabish • June 25, 2014

FERC decision on new wires would save New England ratepayers $50 million-plus per year

Dive Brief: The 11.14% return utilities in New England are allowed for building new transmission will be reduced by 5% to 10.97%, cutting annual charges to the region’s ratepayers over $50 million, if the preliminary decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is finaliz...

By Herman K. Trabish • June 25, 2014

GE wins Alstom bidding war over Siemens

The $17 billion deal is the largest in General Electric history.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 24, 2014

NERC: Grids can handle this summer's peak demand

The good news came with a warning that difficult times lie ahead.

By Claire Cameron • June 24, 2014

Texas sets new peak wind power record

More wind records are expected to fall with Texas' wind capacity over 12,000 MW.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 23, 2014

Report: Traditional utilities more reliable than competitive markets

A new report finds serious resource adequacy issues in competitive markets.

By Claire Cameron • June 23, 2014

PG&E to spend $100M to harden substations against attacks

The armed attack on PG&E's Metcalf substation has brought grid security back into the national spotlight.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 20, 2014

How Pepco and rural electric co-ops are preparing grid solutions for solar

The Energy Department is looking for breakthrough concepts that can be implemented at scale and replicated across the energy generation and delivery industries.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 20, 2014

Massachusetts leapfrogs New York in grid modernization race

Navigant's Brett Feldman explains how states are pushing utilities to modernize the grid.

June 20, 2014

MISO electricity prices up 26% since March

The disagreement between the Midcontinent Independent System Operator and the Southwest Power Pool drags on.

By Claire Cameron • June 20, 2014

NY-ISO highlights need for collaboration as it prepares for challenges ahead

The system operator released its annual power trends report, warning of "significant changes" ahead for the grid. 

By Claire Cameron • June 19, 2014

Public power chief eyes 'substantial challenges' ahead

At the American Public Power Association's annual meeting, CEO Sue Kelly criticized the EPA and warned of significant challenges ahead for public utilities.

By Claire Cameron • June 18, 2014

Is the Massachusetts utility-solar compromise a model for the industry?

Utilities were not focused on the costs and benefits of solar but on “cost recovery from all ratepayers for whatever the value of the distribution system is, in a way that doesn’t discriminate.”

By Herman K. Trabish • June 17, 2014

Power industry's threat monitor one step behind financial sector

"These are threats the electrical sector hasn't had to worry about as much until fairly recently."

By Claire Cameron • June 17, 2014

Xcel to invest $557M in transmission in Texas, New Mexico

New high-voltage power lines are coming to meet growing demand in the Southwest.

By Claire Cameron • June 16, 2014

Massachusetts utilities ordered to modernize the grid

Massachusetts electric utilities must start planning for a future with rooftop solar, electric vehicles, energy storage, microgrids and more.

By Claire Cameron • June 16, 2014

Arizona substation attacked with bomb

A "really crude" homemade bomb was placed next to a 50,000-gallon diesel storage tank.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 15, 2014

Energy Dept. to invest $10M in software for the grid

The aim is to help further energy efficiency, improve reliability, and create jobs.

By Claire Cameron • June 11, 2014

Google entering utility software and hardware market, sources say

Operating the transmission and distribution network could one day become as simple as a quick Google search. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 11, 2014

Hawaii provides U.S. utilities a glimpse of the future

“While states are starting to debate these questions and looking to five to 10 years down the road, we are dealing with these challenges in real-time.”

By Davide Savenije • June 11, 2014

Warren Buffett to keep betting on energy 'as far as the eye can see'

"So far, we've stayed rich," Buffett recounted of his experience investing in the electric power sector at EEI's annual meeting.

By Davide Savenije • June 10, 2014