Grid operators oppose FERC conference on barriers to merchant interregional HVDC transmission

But Invenergy’s petition for a conference was backed Wednesday by state utility regulators, renewable energy advocates, consumer groups and transmission companies.

By Ethan Howland • March 9, 2023

Supreme Court asks solicitor general to weigh in on Texas law banning non-incumbent transmission

The Department of Justice has twice before said states’ “anti-competition” transmission laws violate the U.S. Constitution’s dormant Commerce Clause, said Ari Peskoe, director of the Harvard Law School’s Electricity Law Initiative.

By Ethan Howland • March 7, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

AI in the Power Sector

Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

By Utility Dive staff

Are RTOs and ISOs sick, dying or dead?

Three recent occurrences illustrate that the regional transmission organization/independent system operator regulatory model is spent.

By Raymond L. Gifford and Matthew S. Larson • March 6, 2023

DOE finds ‘pressing’ transmission needs, with interregional links offering the biggest benefits

“Large amounts of low-cost generation potential exist in the middle of the country and accessing this generation through increased transmission is cost effective for neighboring regions,” DOE said in a draft report.

By Ethan Howland • March 6, 2023

The jump to widespread EV adoption doesn’t need to be a long way up

The customer experience should be simple; designed to effortlessly guide and support the consumer as they advance in their EV and EV charging journey.

By Danielle Marquis, Vice President of Solution Management for Franklin Energy • March 6, 2023

House Republicans advance infrastructure permitting reform as part of 16-bill energy package

The first legislative step could lead to negotiations with the Senate this summer on permitting reform for transmission and pipelines, according to Akin Gump attorneys.

By Ethan Howland • March 1, 2023

Duke, APS planning reforms show ways to work with stakeholders to meet emerging power system needs

Integrated planning with deeper modeling and greater stakeholder engagement may slow overburdened regulators and utilities now, but will lead to better long-term decision-making, planners and analysts agree.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 28, 2023

Advanced Energy United warns frameworks needed for transmission buildout ‘don’t really exist’

Building out transmission in the U.S. will require strong federal leadership as well as interstate and interregional coordination, said AEU’s transmission campaign director, Verna Mandez. 

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 27, 2023

PJM launches fast-track capacity market reform process in face of shrinking reserve margins

The effort comes as the PJM Interconnection finds new resources aren’t keeping pace with power plant retirements and load growth.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 27, 2023

DOE announces $48M to improve semiconductor technologies for better grid control and protection

The program will be managed by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy and will focus on improving semiconductors, which are essential components in controlling power generation and transmission.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 27, 2023

State bills spur debate over who should build transmission: incumbent utilities or independent companies

Companies such as LS Power, NextEra, Evergy and ITC Great Plains are pressing lawmakers on bills that may determine who can build transmission projects costing in the billions of dollars across the central United States.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 23, 2023

New power system cybersecurity architectures can be ‘vaults’ against insider attacks, analysts say

Utility operations facing hackers now, and a future of minimally-protected distributed energy resources, will need smarter, more complex defenses, from control rooms to customer-owned devices, analysts said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 17, 2023

NY PSC authorizes $4.4B in transmission upgrades planned by National Grid, other utilities

The projects will create 3,500 MW for clean energy that New York says will be enough for more than 2.8 million homes.

By Stephen Singer • Feb. 17, 2023

Proposed distribution transformer standards ‘could significantly impact’ grid reliability, utilities warn DOE

The sole domestic manufacturer of amorphous steel cores for distribution transformers says it could quickly scale up production to meet U.S. demand if new energy efficiency standards are adopted.

By Robert Walton • Updated Feb. 17, 2023

NextEra, renewable trade group urge FERC to keep competitively bid East Texas transmission project alive

Entergy supports the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s plan to cancel the $115 million project, which has been delayed by a right-of-first-refusal law.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 14, 2023

Falling out of love with AMI: Why we need a new approach to smart metering

Smart meters are failing to deliver promised benefits even after a decade of implementation. A new approach to collecting and using near-real-time meter data could help.

By Essie Snell • Feb. 13, 2023

Adapting T&D investments to climate projections is the strategic choice

The energy system is one of many critical infrastructure sectors impacted by these disasters—growing in importance as dependence on electricity increases.

By Andrew Phillips, EPRI vice president of T&D Infrastructure • Feb. 13, 2023

Utility regulators must make smart decisions about smart meters: delays could be costly to consumers

For the first time ever, energy consumers and the technology providers that serve them have access to real-time energy data.

By Colin Gibbs, VP Energy Services, Sense • Feb. 13, 2023

‘Modest’ transmission buildout would have yielded millions in benefits in December storm: ACORE

Storm events are more frequently challenging the nation’s bulk electric system, and the solution is “making the grid bigger than the weather,” said Michael Goggin, vice president of Grid Strategies.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2023

Value of new transmission jumps in 2022 on high power prices, extreme weather: Berkeley Lab report

“Most of the high value links … are interregional, showing the particular value of interregional links in helping to mitigate costs during extreme weather,” researchers said.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 8, 2023

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

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