Transmission & Distribution: Page 2
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Deep Dive
Why capital markets are continuing to finance utilities facing rising flood and other climate change impacts
In a sample of 18 utility disclosures on climate risks analyzed by Utility Dive, 13 stated flooding and heavy storms were a short-to-mid term threat.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 20, 2020 -
FERC proposes transmission rating reform, upholds PURPA, ISO-NE orders
Line ratings are considered a "tool stuck in limbo" by transmission experts that could help renewables waiting in long interconnection queues connect to the grid, while improving the overall efficiency of transmission lines.
By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 20, 2020 -
Trendline
Grid 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, with some adjustments in the age of COVID-19.
By Utility Dive staff -
Calculating the costs of climate change in the energy, waste sectors
Waste Dive, Utility Dive and Smart Cities Dive teamed up for a series presenting the way their sectors are evaluating the impacts and costs of mitigating climate change.
By Nami Sumida • Nov. 18, 2020 -
Climate risks are accelerating. Here's what Duke, PG&E and 16 other utilities expect to pay.
Utility Dive took a closer look at how climate risks are threatening utilities — and how much it's going to cost to mitigate them.
By Utility Dive Editors • Nov. 18, 2020 -
Glick vows to prioritize transmission, reassess capacity markets if named FERC Chair
Commissioner Richard Glick, a frontrunner for FERC chair under Biden, has opposed many of the commission's actions in recent years, particularly those he believes directly impeding state resource decisions.
By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 18, 2020 -
Tri-State accelerates Colorado decarbonization, weighs joining Southwest Power Pool expansion
The transmission and generation cooperative will file a plan Dec. 1 to reduce emissions associated with its wholesale electricity sales in Colorado 80% by 2030, surpassing its previous 70% goal.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2020 -
Deep Dive
Transmission troubles? A solution could be lying along rail lines and next generation highways
Multiple studies show the need for interregional transmission is growing and proposals to streamline siting will help, but cost allocation remains a barrier.
By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2020 -
Did Evergy reject a $15B bid from NextEra? Maybe — but not recently.
Reuters, citing anonymous sources, reported on Monday that NextEra made a bid to acquire Kansas-based Evergy and the offer was recently rejected. The two utilities had been in talks, but that process was terminated months ago.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2020 -
As EV infrastructure expands, researchers show charging stations vulnerable to low-cost hacking
The Southwest Research Institute was able to perform three manipulations to the most common EV charging equipment: limiting charge rates, blocking a vehicle from charging, and overcharging its battery.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2020 -
Deep Dive
Could COVID-19 provide a windfall to utilities from shifting demand? Report says yes, but it's complicated
The global pandemic's impact on energy consumption is still being investigated, but a Tufts University researcher expects utilities could benefit financially. Edison Electric Institute disputes the report's conclusions.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2020 -
ISO-NE commits to address regional energy security challenges as FERC rejects proposal
Federal regulators said the grid operator's proposal would "impose substantial costs on consumers without meaningfully improving fuel security." Utility opponents put the price at up to $257 million a year.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 09, 2020 -
Dominion claims it's 3rd largest utility owner of solar, continues clean energy transition in Virginia
The utility divested some of its natural gas transmission assets and announced the addition of 500 MW of solar earlier this week.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 09, 2020 -
Larger, vertically-integrated utilities better prepared to face cyber threats, says Moody's
Smaller, publicly-owned utilities are leaning on cybsersecurity insurance to mitigate risk, according to the ratings agency.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 06, 2020 -
In split vote, Arizona regulators take major step toward 100% carbon-free mandate for utilities
The plan includes an interim renewables target and a battery standard with a carve-out for distributed resources, but could be upended by election outcomes as three commission seats are up for grabs.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 02, 2020 -
Gov. Cuomo proposes bill to 'dramatically increase penalties' for NY utility storm response failures
The bill would boost penalties for utilities failing to follow emergency response plans and threatens franchise revocation for repeated failings.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Danielle Ternes/Utility Dive; photograph by Svanblar and Luka Banda via Getty ImagesDeep Dive
Election 2020: Trump's FERC may need to shift course on clean energy, though Biden's road will not be easy
No matter what happens Nov. 3, the agency will have no choice but to address the industry's transition, even if it means backing away from some of its more controversial policies under the Trump administration, analysts say.
By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 27, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Danielle Ternes/Utility Dive; photograph by Svanblar and Luka Banda via Getty ImagesDeep Dive
Election 2020: Climate policy faces a tough road through Congress regardless of electoral outcomes
A Democratic Senate will attempt to pass Joe Biden's clean energy standard in the face of an expected Republican filibuster, while bipartisan support exists for more R&D spending on carbon-cutting technologies.
By Matthew Bandyk • Oct. 26, 2020 -
AVANGRID, PNM Resources announce $8.3B merger to create 'one of biggest clean energy companies' in US
The combined entity would own 10 regulated utilities in six states, and would have renewable energy operations in 24 states.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2020 -
New England states call for changes to wholesale markets, transmission planning and grid governance
The current system "has actively hindered our efforts to decarbonize the grid," according to Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2020 -
New York expands state clean energy standard, moves to boost renewables use in the Big Apple
Regulators created a new program within the Clean Energy Standard to value the environmental attributes that renewable resources give to the city, while advancing an upstate transmission project.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2020 -
LUMA rejects mounting criticism of Puerto Rico grid operating contract, sees $100M annual savings
A new report says the deal will not sufficiently reduce island electricity prices, but Luma Energy says the analysis fails to account for reductions in operating and maintenance costs.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 13, 2020 -
Column
Taking Charge: How Austin Energy simultaneously managed COVID-19 and a new carbon price adder
Austin Energy General Manager Jackie Sargent discusses "crazy times," and how the utility is protecting employees while cutting emissions on the road to carbon-free status.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 08, 2020 -
Tri-State proposes rate reduction, resource procurement flexibility, but not enough to stop member exit
The concessions will not stop some members from leaving the utility's service. "We are going to need to much more than the proposed 8% reduction," said United Power's acting CEO.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 08, 2020 -
National Grid sees hydrogen as a linchpin, joins utilities targeting net zero carbon by 2050
The company intends to continue studies and pilots to blend hydrogen into its existing gas network, viewing the renewable gas as a "lynchpin" between its networks, according to a spokesperson.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 05, 2020 -
US cybersecurity agency urges utilities to increase protections, warns of potential attacks from China
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned of potential attacks on critical infrastructure, including the power sector. "This is what we’ve been warned about," said one security professional.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 05, 2020