Transmission & Distribution: Page 16
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NextGen Highways launches effort to build transmission lines along public right of way in Minnesota
A first-of-its-kind coalition could speed up transmission infrastructure siting in Minnesota and provide a blueprint for similar state initiatives elsewhere.
By Brian Martucci • Feb. 20, 2024 -
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Sponsored by SenseGood things come to those who wait: Massachusetts set to be national example with AMI 2.0
Massachusetts can show us all that with patience and smart policy, it’s possible to deliver on an AMI 2.0 smart meter rollout that not just ticks all the boxes but shows us how to build a better box.
By Colin Gibbs, VP Energy Services, Sense • Feb. 20, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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TrendlineGrid 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 -
Courtesy of LineVision
GETs could facilitate 6.6 GW of clean energy in five PJM states, saving $1B a year: RMI
Grid-enhancing technologies can be used to increase the capacity of the existing transmission system, providing a quick, low-cost pathway for bringing new generation online, RMI said in a report Thursday.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 15, 2024 -
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FERC, NERC to analyze power sector performance during January winter storms
The assessment will look at improvements to grid reliability made since Winter Storm Uri in 2021 and Winter Storm Elliott in 2022.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2024 -
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OpinionThe hidden costs of competition over new transmission infrastructure
A right of first refusal is not a reward for any utilities or builders at the expense of others. It merely recognizes the need for new infrastructure and provides a first opportunity to those already operating existing infrastructure.
By Benjamin Dierker • Feb. 14, 2024 -
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State utility regulators urge PJM, MISO to bolster joint interregional transmission planning
“Expanding transfer capacity between regions can help to improve grid resilience and minimize the negative impacts of extreme weather events,” OMS and OPSI told the grid operators.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 14, 2024 -
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Maryland ratepayer advocate urges FERC to reject PJM’s $5.1B transmission cost allocation plan
Virginia — not other states — should pay for transmission costs driven by its data center incentive policy, the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel said.
By Ethan Howland • Updated Feb. 14, 2024 -
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OpinionWhat utility commissioners should know about a flawed Western day-ahead market study
The study reads like an advertisement for a product that’s missing important context and comparisons — and as individual utility filings appear in dockets around the West, public utility commissioners should approach it as such.
By Bob Jenks • Feb. 9, 2024 -
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Interregional transmission would grow 126%, to 191 GW, by 2035 under BIG WIRES bill: report
The biggest percentage growth in interregional transmission expansion would occur in the Southeast, according to analysis by the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 8, 2024 -
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DOE launches solicitation for up to $1.2B in transmission capacity contracts
The Tuesday request for proposals marks the second round of potential funding from the DOE’s Transmission Facilitation Program.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 7, 2024 -
Clean energy groups back Duke Energy multi-value local transmission planning proposal
If approved, Duke could have the only local planning process that uses proactive, multi-value scenario planning, according to North Carolina clean energy groups.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 5, 2024 -
The image by Eversource NH is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Eversource, others may be capitalizing on lax reviews for some transmission projects: Maine officials
“Asset condition” projects receive almost no regulatory scrutiny by states or ISO New England, possibly to the benefit of utility shareholders, Maine’s ratepayer office told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 2, 2024 -
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2024 US power sector outlook
The U.S. clean energy transition is expected to accelerate in 2024 but faces question around transmission, financing, federal elections and other issues.
By Utility Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024 -
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Entergy wins, wind developers lose with MISO, SPP transmission constraints: NBER paper
Without the constraints, two Entergy utilities would have had $930 million less in operating profits in 2022, a possible incentive to oppose new transmission, the paper said.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 31, 2024 -
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Deep DiveAs wildfires losses mount, will commercial insurers decline to cover utilities?
As Xcel Energy, PG&E, Hawaiian Electric and others confront catastrophic wildfires, industry observers believe the growing risk could spur innovation in commercial insurance that ultimately benefits utilities.
By Emma Penrod • Jan. 31, 2024 -
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EEI, utilities urge FERC to reverse decision cutting PG&E equity adder for CAISO participation
The commission’s decision to deny Pacific Gas & Electric extra return on equity marks an “unfortunate shift” in the agency’s approach to infrastructure investment, the Edison Electric Institute said Monday.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 30, 2024 -
Permission granted by Esme Howland
FERC Outlook: Danly exit could boost transmission reform, but smaller commission poses risks
Other top priorities for FERC this year include continued efforts to improve the interconnection process, consideration of expanded transmission ties between regions and possible power market reforms, according to agency experts.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 29, 2024 -
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Deep DiveNew solutions emerge to better integrate renewables into the grid, Xcel, Eversource and others say
Requiring the 400+ GW of battery capacity in U.S. interconnection queues to have grid-forming capabilities could enable variable renewables growth “cheaper and faster than adding new transmission,” one expert said.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 25, 2024 -
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Deep DiveUtility Business Outlook: Power prices stay elevated as elections sow uncertainty for clean energy plans
For utilities and the clean energy sector, 2024 could bring “an exceptional level of volatility and opportunity,” according to Bank of America Global Research analysts.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2024 -
Permission granted by RS Technologies
Sponsored by RS TechnologiesComposite poles vs. alternatives in the face of natural disasters
Composite utility poles have been shown to be highly resilient in ice storms, freezing rain, hurricanes and wildfires.
Jan. 22, 2024 -
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Extreme weather shows need for dispatchable resources, new transmission: FERC commissioners
FERC Acting Chairman Willie Phillips expects the agency will issue new transmission planning and cost allocation rules in the “coming months.”
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 19, 2024 -
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Robot worms, lasers, drones and AI: How ARPA-E wants to move the US power grid underground
The U.S. Department of Energy on Tuesday announced $34 million in funding to explore novel approaches to undergrounding to increase resiliency.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2024 -
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Texas grid holds firm through frigid temperatures, 3 demand records, 2 conservation calls
The Texas power grid is more resilient than it was in 2021, when Winter Storm Uri caused widespread blackouts and almost 250 deaths.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2024 -
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9 US power sector trends to watch in 2024
The U.S. march toward a decarbonized electric system will continue in 2024 as policymakers and others work to balance, climate, reliability, affordability and other goals.
By Robert Walton, Ethan Howland, Diana DiGangi, Larry Pearl, Kavya Balaraman and Emma Penrod • Jan. 10, 2024 -
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500K East Coast outages persist after day of storms; grid braces for coming Arctic weather
“Next week we will see the coldest air of the season push in from Canada over much of the central and eastern U.S.,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert said.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2024
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