Rising peak demand, 83 GW of planned retirements create blackout risks for most of US: NERC

"Overly rigid" environmental regulations and energy policies can jeopardize “the orderly transition of the resource mix,” the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s 10-year reliability assessment warns.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2023

As NERC members risk missing weatherization standards deadline, board vows to act on its own

NERC faces a February deadline to revise cold weather standards, but proposed rules failed the most recent stakeholder vote.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2023

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

US electricity load growth forecast jumps 81% led by data centers, industry: Grid Strategies

Data from FERC Form 714 shows grid planners expect nationwide power demand to grow 4.7% over the next five years compared with a previous estimate of 2.6%.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2023

PJM board approves $5B in transmission projects to be built by Dominion, FirstEnergy, others

The “unprecedented” transmission package has triggered concerns about PJM’s planning process from the Maryland ratepayer advocate and state utility regulators.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 12, 2023

Exelon, PG&E, others urge FERC to give transmission owners first dibs on regional projects

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's work to pass a final transmission planning rule could get a boost if Commissioner James Danly leaves the agency when this congressional session ends. 

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 11, 2023

California transmission permitting not up to the challenge of managing pipeline: report

“Without the needed transmission, it’s going to be a big setback" for the clean energy transition, said Ed Smeloff, a consultant to the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 8, 2023

States and federal agencies shouldn’t wait for Congress to act on clean energy infrastructure: report

Clean energy group Evergreen Action released a suite of proposals for speeding up the permitting, siting and approval of transmission projects without an act from Congress.

By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 7, 2023

Hawaii, 3 other states earn B microgrid grades. Most get Ds, per scorecard report.

With distributed resources flourishing, “there's a huge risk that we're leaving a lot of value on the table” by failing to coordinate them with microgrids, said Cameron Brooks, Think Microgrid executive director.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 6, 2023

Iowa court bars MidAmerican Energy, ITC Midwest from $2.6B in transmission awards by MISO

An Iowa district court on Monday agreed with LS Power that the state’s transmission right-of-first-refusal law is unconstitutional.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 6, 2023

How to empower multiple utility teams with one DERMS

Learn three things to look for in a DERMS to deliver value across utility teams and objectives.

Dec. 4, 2023

Utility regulators urge PJM to move away from ‘reactive’ planning for grid reliability

PJM’s “siloed, reactive planning" has created concerns for years at state utility commissions beyond a pending $5 billion set of transmission upgrades, a letter to the grid operator states.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 30, 2023

NARUC launches initiative to enhance gas-electric sector coordination, boost grid reliability

Electric generators are “more reliant than ever” on natural gas, and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners has launched a 15-month effort to improve coordination between the sectors.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 28, 2023

Can ERCOT show the way to faster and cheaper grid interconnection?

With the "connect and manage" process, which doesn’t require network upgrades, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas brought 14.2 GW online in the last two years, more than any other grid operator.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 27, 2023

The Southeast Energy Exchange Market launched a year ago. It still isn’t delivering on its promises.

Over the past year, SEEM’s poor performance has proven its critics right and demonstrated that the energy trading platform is in dire need of a substantial overhaul if it is to be either lawful or beneficial.

By Nick Guidi and Chris Carmody • Nov. 22, 2023

Invenergy in talks with utilities, other companies for capacity on Grain Belt transmission line

Invenergy is preparing to launch a solicitation for capacity on the 2.5-GW phase one of its Grain Belt project, with construction planned for early 2025.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 22, 2023

Proposed transmission planning rule is a ‘chief’ priority for FERC’s Phillips

In a letter to state lawmakers, Willie Phillips, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission acting chairman, outlined elements that should be in a final transmission planning rule.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 21, 2023

AEP, FirstEnergy urge FERC to reject complaint seeking expanded transmission project oversight

The dispute with nationwide implications comes as spending on “supplemental projects” in the PJM Interconnection has grown to $43.5 billion since 2012.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 20, 2023

ERCOT drops plans to add 3 GW for winter reliability after ‘zombie’ power plants fail to bid

Looking ahead, the grid operator said it believes there is “tremendous potential in expanding demand response capabilities” to help keep the Texas grid reliable.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2023

Wildfire risks in the US are soaring. Here’s what utilities can do.

To address the increasing risk of wildfire, utilities must embrace short- and long-term strategies that emphasize asset protection, real-time risk assessment and infrastructure investments.

By Judsen Bruzgul and Neil Weisenfeld • Nov. 17, 2023

FERC projects 5% drop in winter power prices in PJM, New York and Southeast

Led by solar, installed U.S. capacity increased by 35 GW from a year ago to 1,223 GW, and battery storage is expected to surge to 10 GW from 4 GW in the same period, according to FERC’s winter assessment report.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 17, 2023

DOE proposes easing environmental reviews for certain storage, solar, transmission projects

The proposed “categorical exclusions” would speed project reviews, the Department of Energy said Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 16, 2023

All hands on deck needed to build IRA-driven infrastructure, federal officials say

“By 2035 alone we're going to need to add about 75,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines,” said Jesse Jenkins, head of the ZERO Lab at Princeton University.

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 14, 2023

Regulators need to require utilities to use grid-enhancing technologies: FERC’s Clements

“These are modest investments, they're going to save customers money … and if we don't tell the transmission owners to do it, they're not going to do it,” Allison Clements said at NARUC’s annual meeting.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 14, 2023

Hawaiian Electric to provide up to $75M to new state fund for Maui wildfire victims

Those who use the fund will waive their ability to get compensated through litigation, Scott Seu, president and CEO of parent company Hawaiian Electric Industries, said.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 10, 2023

FERC approves PJM’s Exelon-oriented $796M transmission plan over Maryland objections

FERC Commissioner Allison Clements urged PJM to consider more proactive transmission planning to address reliability needs.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 10, 2023