DOE issues road map for speeding, improving grid interconnections to unlock 2.6-TW backlog

“There is unlikely to be any document for years to come reflecting such a comprehensive set of [interconnection] solutions,” said Tyler Norris, former head of development at Cypress Creek Renewables.

By Ethan Howland • April 18, 2024

FERC’s final regional transmission rule is coming soon. It has one shot to get it right.

A strong rule will help spur the transmission lines necessary to meet America’s growing energy needs, while also setting the table for a future interregional rule to mitigate the effects of extreme weather.

By Ray Long • April 18, 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

DOE cites cost, reliability concerns for new gas plants as it details how to meet surging power demand

Rising electricity demand will require a portfolio of resources, including energy storage, hydropower, nuclear, grid-enhancing technologies and demand-side management, DOE said.

By Robert Walton • April 18, 2024

Tackling 3 key issues can help scale virtual power plants and spur a wave of benefits, analysts say

Advanced operational software, communications standards and customer compensation are needed to scale VPP size and services, cut system and customer costs and enhance reliability, key VPP players agree.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 17, 2024

Surging demand growth spurs openings for advanced nuclear, grid technologies: DOE’s Crane

Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure law funding are supporting new technologies, he said, but the "missing link" is permitting reform. “Without permitting reform, what we are hindering is new zero-carbon energy sources.”

By Ethan Howland • April 17, 2024

VPPs, other advanced technologies could each expand existing US grid capacity 20-100 GW: DOE

Separately, AES and LineVision released a case study showing how using dynamic line ratings increased capacity on power lines in Indiana and Ohio.

By Ethan Howland • April 16, 2024

Pathways Initiative proposes independent power market organization for the West

The stakeholder group aims to establish an organization free of CAISO governance to run wholesale power markets, laying the groundwork for a possible regional transmission organization.

By Ethan Howland • April 11, 2024

FERC approves PJM’s $5.1B cost-share plan for transmission to be built by Dominion, others

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected arguments that Virginia should pay a larger share for projects driven by its data center policies.

By Ethan Howland • April 10, 2024

Reconductoring US power lines could quadruple new transmission capacity by 2035: report

Replacing power lines with advanced conductors would boost near-term transmission capacity as longer-term greenfield projects get built, according to a Goldman School and GridLab report.

By Ethan Howland • April 9, 2024

South Carolina advances bill that could spur gas power for Duke, Dominion utilities, hamper solar

Renewable developers EnergyRe and Pine Gate Renewables urged lawmakers to require that utilities add about 8 GW of solar from approved integrated resource plans, with offramps.

By Ethan Howland • April 9, 2024

The business value of moving to modern network management is in data analytics

Your move to modern network management provides an opportunity to move beyond traditional GIS capabilities to advanced data analytics. Think differently with four tactical steps to position your utility for success.

By Mike Goggin, Senior Product Manager at SSP Innovations • April 8, 2024

Don’t count on FERC as the ‘big sugar daddy’ for new transmission, generation: Commissioner Christie

State utility regulators must have a central role in transmission planning and cost allocation, FERC Commissioner Mark Christie said Thursday. “You cannot cut states out of the process.”

By Ethan Howland • April 5, 2024

Bonneville staff backs joining SPP’s Markets+ day-ahead market over CAISO alternative

Bonneville Power Administration staff said they preferred the Markets+ governance structure and carbon accounting over the California Independent System Operator’s day-ahead market.

By Ethan Howland • April 5, 2024

DOE final distribution transformer rule adds 2 years for compliance

The agency sought a middle ground with its final rule, extending compliance timelines and adjusting efficiency targets to require less amorphous electrical steel.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2024

The manufacturing renaissance needs well-planned transmission solutions

Increased demand with variable energy supply and volatile weather conditions require a coordinated, holistic and forward-looking approach.

By Karen Onaran • April 2, 2024

CAISO proposes $6.1B transmission plan, mainly for offshore wind

The California Independent System Operator’s transmission plan — with $4.1 billion open for competition — would also support wind and solar imports from Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming.

By Ethan Howland • Updated April 2, 2024

SPP files Markets+ tariff in ‘significant step’ to expanding Western market options

Markets+ is expected to go live in early 2027, pending approval of the tariff by federal regulators, according to the Southwest Power Pool.

By Robert Walton • April 2, 2024

California PUC proposes $24 monthly fee for PG&E, SCE, SDG&E customers

The fixed charge includes discounts for income-qualified customers. Those enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy program will pay approximately $6/month, for instance.

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2024

A new era of price-based demand response emerges, but utilities and regulators need proof of its potential

New load flexibility from price-based demand response programs could be invaluable if reliability and cost-effectiveness is confirmed in real-world operating conditions, stakeholders agree.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 27, 2024

States shouldn’t have to pay for transmission driven by other states’ policies: FERC’s Christie

Loading up a pending transmission planning and cost allocation rule with more legally dubious provisions will increase risks in its “uncertain future,” FERC Commissioner Mark Christie said.

By Ethan Howland • March 26, 2024

Grid technology could save billions but for a policy vacuum

Separate studies by Quanta Technologies and the Brattle Group found that using grid-enhancing technologies in generator interconnection could reduce wholesale energy costs nationwide by over $5 billion per year.

By Neil Chatterjee • March 25, 2024

Potential benefits of Atlantic offshore wind transmission network are more than double the costs: DOE

Building a “backbone” transmission line to connect offshore wind farms on the Atlantic coast would cost $116 billion but could also yield billions in annual savings, according to the DOE.

By Emma Penrod • March 22, 2024

Senators press FERC nominees on climate, natural gas, transmission cost allocation

Republicans on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee focused on the issue of fuel neutrality and whether the nominees would uphold it.

By Diana DiGangi • March 22, 2024

FERC affirms generator interconnection rule, but ‘it’s not a silver bullet,’ Christie says

Renewables and storage make up the majority of interconnection queue projects, but they are “not one-for-one replacements” for retiring dispatchable power plants, Commissioner Mark Christie warned.

By Robert Walton • March 22, 2024

National Grid announces $4B plan to upgrade upstate New York power grid

The money will go toward 70 projects, which will include building substations and rebuilding more than 1,000 miles of transmission lines connecting towns near Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.

By Patrick Cooley • March 21, 2024