New York ISO warns NextEra, others against lobbying over transmission

NYISO’s CEO wrote to the chief executives of three energy companies and the New York Power Authority to “clarify” the process for selecting transmission projects.

By Stephen Singer • Feb. 6, 2023

Connecticut drafts a performance-based regulation system following utilities’ storm response

 A new regulatory system would provide “meaningful financial opportunities and penalties” for electric utilities with “guardrails” to protect customers, according to a staff proposal at the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.

By Stephen Singer • Feb. 6, 2023

Explore the 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 to meet the rising challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

FERC grants Great River transmission incentives as commissioner decries consumer impacts

FERC Commissioner Mark Christie Tuesday called for revisiting the agency’s incentives for transmission projects, which he said shift costs and risks to consumers.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 3, 2023

In win for Avangrid, FERC orders NextEra to install Seabrook circuit breaker, opening path for NECEC line

The agency’s decision clears another hurdle for Avangrid’s line that would deliver hydropower from Canada to Massachusetts.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 3, 2023

Maine PUC OKs 1-GW Longroad wind farm, LS Power transmission line amid equity and cost concerns

A Maine regulator warned the cost of the energy transition may pose an unfair burden to low- and middle-income people.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 1, 2023

‘No regrets’ approach to big batteries, green hydrogen and grid reliability urgently needed, analysts say

Advanced batteries and green hydrogen promise long-duration energy storage solutions for “net zero” system reliability, but only regulatory policy and market support can fulfill that promise, industry stakeholders say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 31, 2023

Allete, Grid United plan $2.5B transmission line linking Western, Eastern interconnections

The proposed North Plains Connector project would provide 3,000 MW of bi-directional capacity between North Dakota and Montana.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Jan. 31, 2023

‘We got lucky.’ A stronger 2022 storm season could have threatened grid recovery: EEI

The evolving power grid faces a host of challenges, speakers at the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s 2023 Reliability Leadership Summit said Wednesday.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2023

Proactive transmission planning for offshore wind build-out could save up to $20B, experts say

A new report calls for building out the transmission grid for up to 100 GW of potential offshore wind procurement by 2050.

By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 25, 2023

2023 US Power Sector Outlook

2023 promises to be another busy year for the U.S. energy transition as stakeholders move to implement new clean energy measures while tackling growing security, reliability, equity and affordability challenges.

By The Utility Dive Team • Jan. 25, 2023

Generators, transmission utilities, others back ISO-NE storage-as-transmission plan, with conditions

Beginning in 2010, FERC “opened the door” in orders and policy statements for consideration of electric energy storage as a transmission asset, according to ISO New England.

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 24, 2023

3 big advances coming as distributed energy resources take newer, bigger roles in 2023

Analysts foresee DER growth in 2023 at the wholesale market and retail distribution system levels as communities and local leaders demand more reliability and resilience.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2023

Texas regulators adopt performance credit in market overhaul proceeding, teeing up battle with lawmakers

Regulators "chose to ignore the clear direction" of the Texas legislature, said Sen. Charles Schwertner, an author of legislation that initiated the Texas energy market changes.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2023

Electricity prices surged 14.3% in 2022, double overall inflation: US report

After peaking in the summer of 2022, the price of residential electricity is projected to rise more slowly over the next two years, according to the Energy Information Administration.

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 19, 2023

Energy storage is a cost-effective alternative to transmission to integrate renewables: study

ISO-New England says storage as a transmission-only asset could step in and provide power in the rare situation when one transmission line is overloaded and others go down in a storm, threatening an outage.

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 17, 2023

New Mexico transmission authority backs 400-mile Invenergy project

The New Mexico North Path line would support up to 4 GW of renewable energy produced in the northeastern portion of the state.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2023

2023 Outlook: US power sector trends to watch

Federal, state and corporate actions are boosting clean energy in the U.S., but supply chain and economic challenges persist while grid reliability and security concerns are growing.

By The Utility Dive Team • Jan. 13, 2023

Texas PUC nears market redesign decision amid criticism performance credit will not spur new generation

“It's primarily an incentive to retain existing dispatchable generation,” E3 Director Zack Ming said. E3 modeled the performance credit mechanism for Texas regulators to consider.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2023

FERC approves PacifiCorp’s proposed interconnection process for replacing retired generation

The agency dismissed concerns the proposal would give PacifiCorp an unfair advantage in grid access.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 11, 2023

DOE proposes new efficiency rules for distribution transformers, potentially saving consumers $15B

Because so much electricity passes through transformers, experts say that even small efficiency improvements can significantly reduce emissions and create savings.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2023

Duke Energy apologizes for winter storm outages as FERC, NERC open investigation into grid failures

At the peak of Winter Storm Elliott, 1.7 million customers were without power. Federal power officials say it is the fifth major winter event in the last 11 years.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2023

Utilities sound alarm over distribution transformer shortage as procurement times surpass 1 year and costs triple

Shortages of materials, labor and production capacity are beginning to hold back electrification projects and threaten grid reliability, the electric sector warned.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2022

Most of US electric grid faces risk of resource shortfall through 2027, NERC finds

“We are living in extraordinary times, from an electric industry perspective,” said John Moura, NERC’s director of reliability assessment and performance analysis.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2022

Cost concerns could blunt ‘promising’ utility trends on energy storage, smart meters, EVs: Deloitte

“Supply chain snags, rising costs and extreme weather are likely to continue plaguing the power sector,” the consulting firm said in a report.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 14, 2022

The ‘unprecedented’ risks facing our power grid this winter should be a wake-up call for government

It’s imperative the Biden administration nominates a FERC commissioner who can set our power grid up for success by prioritizing its safety, reliability and affordability.

By Todd Snitchler • Dec. 14, 2022