Transmission planning’s next frontier: A rebuttable presumption for modern grid technologies

Regulators should apply the principle of ‘rebuttable presumption’ — accepting a given fact as true until it is disproved — by ensuring that alternative transmission technologies are prioritized in evaluating system needs.

By Jason Marshall • June 11, 2024

As NVIDIA, IBM and others apply AI to boost utilities, regulatory and data privacy obstacles abound

The “move fast and break things” business model of the technology sector is meeting the regulated spending and reliability imperatives of the utility sector.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 11, 2024

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

NV Energy proposes 400 MW gas peakers, more than 1 GW each of solar, storage in 2024 IRP

The cost of the Greenlink Nevada transmission project has risen 70%, to $4.2 billion, due to inflation, supply chain constraints and labor costs, the utility said.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2024

As major energy projects face 20% cost overruns, Bain consultants outline potential fixes

One U.S. electric utility cut the construction costs of a multiyear solar program by 15% by changing its operating model, according to a report from Bain.

By Ethan Howland • June 7, 2024

Grid operators fail to effectively use interregional ties, increasing costs, hurting reliability: NREL

National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers offer a range of options for improving existing interregional operations, including developing a national interregional transmission planning process.

By Ethan Howland • June 7, 2024

Senate panel advances FERC nominees; Senate confirms NRC chair for second term

The National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, a point of contention in the FERC nomination hearings, would change if new legislation now being drafted passes, Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., said.

By Ethan Howland • June 5, 2024

New England grid prepared for ‘typical’ summer, but ‘worst-case’ weather could be a challenge

“With the possibility of more extreme and less predictable weather conditions, there is an increased potential for system operators to activate emergency procedures,” ISO New England said.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2024

Pathways Initiative advances plan for independent power market organization for the West

The initiative aims to develop a plan for a new regional organization to oversee wholesale power markets by the end of the year.

By Ethan Howland • June 3, 2024

Beneath the surface: Exploring the intricacies of underground utility projects

The construction of underground utilities is managed successfully by identifying key risks early.

By Thomas Konopka, Anna Sleeter and Wally Petrovic • June 3, 2024

States, renewable energy groups press FERC to approve ISO-NE long-range transmission process

But LS Power, NextEra and others said the proposed competitive solicitation process would limit nonincumbent transmission projects.

By Ethan Howland • May 31, 2024

US data center electricity demand could double by 2030, driven by artificial intelligence: EPRI

Internet queries utilizing artificial intelligence require about 10x the electricity of traditional internet searches, according to analysis by the Electric Power Research Institute.

By Robert Walton • May 30, 2024

21 states, DOE launch initiative to spur grid-enhancing technologies, advanced conductors

“We're focusing on squeezing every amp that we possibly can out of the existing lines that we have,” Dominion Energy’s Matthew Gardner said at a White House forum.

By Ethan Howland • May 29, 2024

Portland General Electric joins Allete, Grid United on $3.2B North Plains transmission project

"Additional transmission capacity will provide access to renewable energy over a wider and diverse geographic area, helping to deliver economic and environmental benefits," said PGE President and CEO Maria Pope.

By Robert Walton • May 29, 2024

CAISO board approves $6.1B transmission plan with focus on access to clean energy

The grid operator will adopt heightened oversight of two major offshore wind transmission projects to make sure their development remains needed.

By Ethan Howland • May 24, 2024

National Grid plans 5-year, $35B investment in New York, Massachusetts

Projects includes more than 70 transmission system upgrades in upstate New York, and smart meter and grid hardening investments in Massachusetts.

By Robert Walton • May 23, 2024

Sens. Manchin, Barrasso craft bipartisan permitting reform bill amid growing load forecasts

American Electric Power has inquiries from potential customers to add 108 GW across its service territory, Ben Fowke, interim president and CEO, said at a Senate hearing Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • May 22, 2024

SoCalEd-Lotus Infrastructure consortium wins $503M CAISO transmission project

A NextEra Energy Transmission subsidiary, Horizon West Transmission, also recently won two CAISO projects in Southern California totaling about $2.6 billion.

By Ethan Howland • May 21, 2024

‘Still a lot to do’ to improve grid interconnection after FERC Order 2023: Cleanpower panel

Interconnection and transmission planning must become more proactive and less “reactionary,” NYISO Senior Vice President for System and Resource Planning Zach Smith and other panelists said.

By Brian Martucci • May 20, 2024

Grid modernization plans must consider quantum computing, AI, other innovations

Any policy related to upgrading the grid must include a focus on using new technologies to make the most of these significant investments.

By Christina Hayes and Allison Schwartz • May 20, 2024

ISO-NE proposes transmission planning changes to boost states’ ability to reach environmental goals

Electricity demand in New England is growing and the region’s grid operator is considering a host of changes, including to its capacity market, transmission planning and how it will deal with potential energy shortages.

By Robert Walton • May 17, 2024

FERC transmission rule likely boon to consumers, but Christie dissent is a blueprint for litigation, analysts say

The rule also gives state utility regulators an “unprecedented role” in transmission planning and cost allocation, said Christina Hayes, executive director of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid.

By Ethan Howland • May 16, 2024

FERC Order 1920 is a big step forward on transmission planning, but it is not the end game

The rule provides the raw ingredients to transmission providers and states, FERC Commissioner Allison Clements writes, but the grid of the future will not be built if these entities do not come together and start cooking.

By Allison Clements • May 15, 2024

AEP Ohio proposes data center, crypto financial requirements amid 30 GW in service inquiries

The proposed tariffs aim to ensure data centers and cryptocurrency operations pay for their share of any transmission buildout needed to serve them in the PJM Interconnection. 

By Ethan Howland • May 15, 2024

FERC issues landmark transmission planning, cost allocation rule, with dissent over state roles

In a 2-1 vote, the agency’s commissioners disagreed on the role states will have under the rule.

By Ethan Howland • May 14, 2024

Clean energy groups praise FERC transmission order but want more reform

American Clean Power Association Vice President of Markets and Transmission Carrie Zalewski called the rule “an important milestone” but added that it “cannot be the finish line.”

By Diana DiGangi • May 14, 2024