Transmission & Distribution: Page 47


  • National Grid encourages FERC to provide better incentives for grid-enhancing technology

    Xcel Energy, on a panel, agreed with many of the hurdles a National Grid representative laid out, including operational, technological and financial barriers.

    By Catherine Morehouse • June 10, 2021
  • 'Private industry can't do it alone': Lessons for electric utilities from the Colonial ransomware fallout

    Many security experts and the Federal Bureau of Investigation caution against paying ransomware demands. Colonial Pipeline paid about $4.4 million, got its systems back online and will get some of the money back as well.

    By June 9, 2021
  • Major Cluster Of Data Centers Inhabit Northern Virginia Explore the Trendline
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    Nathan Howard/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    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
  • A rendering of a Shell Hydrogen station
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    Courtesy of Shell
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    Opinion

    Laying the regulatory groundwork for hydrogen in the United States

    Hydrogen is a fundamentally different energy commodity that merits its own regulatory structure in the United States, the authors write.

    By Drake D. Hernandez and Emre Gençer • June 8, 2021
  • DC approves disputed Pepco rate increase in new approach to utility regulation

    Regulators say their approval is the "first step" in adopting an alternative form of regulation for the city's electric utility, but consumer advocates called the $108.6 million rate increase "appalling and harmful."

    By June 8, 2021
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    Colorado legislators direct all transmission utilities to join an organized wholesale market by 2030

    The passage of Senate Bill 72 is not only an indicator of the growing interest of Western states in regional power markets, but it could also put pressure on other states to create similar policies, one analyst said.

    By Emma Penrod • June 8, 2021
  • Fate of Illinois nuclear plants in balance after 3 fail to clear PJM auction and subsidy plan stalls

    Three Illinois nuclear plants failed to land power contracts at the PJM capacity auction, generating additional uncertainty about their future.

    By Scott Van Voorhis • June 7, 2021
  • Stem energy storage system
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    Permission granted by Stem
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    PJM reliability valuation proposal could boost energy storage in capacity market, group says

    The proposal represents a "necessary and significant step forward," Energy Storage Association Interim CEO Jason Burwen said.

    By Jason Plautz • June 4, 2021
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    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
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    Oregon utilities prepare for 2021 fire season with improved technologies, forecasting and PSPS protocols

    “We don’t believe PSPSs are a long-term solution,” one utility representative said, but it will take time to find alternatives. 

    By Kavya Balaraman • June 4, 2021
  • Nevada passes clean energy bill requiring state to join RTO, accelerating $2B transmission project

    The bill also requires utilities to forecast a path to achieve an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by the end of the decade.

    By Jason Plautz • June 2, 2021
  • LUMA takes over Puerto Rico's grid amid questions of staffing and readiness

    Observers say the transition from a government-owned utility to a new public-private partnership has not been managed well and could leave island residents exposed to blackouts heading into hurricane season.

    By June 1, 2021
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    Courtesy of Colonial Pipeline Company
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    TSA directive adds teeth to pipeline cybersecurity oversight

    Under the Transportation Security Administration's new requirements, companies will need to establish a cybersecurity coordinator and report confirmed and potential cybersecurity incidents to CISA.

    By Samantha Schwartz • May 27, 2021
  • Pike Electric service trucks line up after a snow storm on February 16, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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    Ron Jenkins via Getty Images
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    NERC sees potential summer energy shortfalls, says energy transition 'pace' may threaten reliability

    Parts of North America are at elevated or high risk of energy shortfalls during the above-normal temperature conditions many expect this summer, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. warned.

    By May 27, 2021
  • Tenaska files complaint with FERC against SPP, alleging $66M overcharge on wind interconnection

    The developer says the additional charges highlight the need to reform transmission planning and cost allocation to provide renewable energy developers with transparency and certainty in developing new projects.

    By Catherine Morehouse • May 26, 2021
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    Nathan Howard / via Getty Images
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    A 'literal tinderbox': Oregon regulators brace for 2021 wildfire season with temporary utility rules

    "[E]xtreme weather conditions — especially high wind — tests even the best built and maintained electrical systems,” Oregon PUC Commissioner Letha Tawney said at a meeting last week.

    By Kavya Balaraman • May 24, 2021
  • Rare FERC move sparks heated debate over commission's role assessing pipeline climate impacts

    FERC voted 3-2 to approve two pipeline projects after Commissioner James Danly proposed a last-minute amendment to avoid setting a precedent on examining climate impacts — and to secure his own vote.

    By Catherine Morehouse • May 21, 2021
  • A high-voltage transmission line runs through barren woods.
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    Permission granted by Minnesota Power
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    Industry presses House committee on facilitating new transmission critical to Biden climate goals

    Planning, permitting and paying for new transmission capacity are essential to the Biden administration's clean energy and decarbonization goals, industry stakeholders told a House committee on Thursday.

    By May 21, 2021
  • An illustration of utility-scale battery storage.
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    Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
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    Opinion

    Where should batteries be put to manage wind and solar power?

    Lawrence Berkeley National Lab researchers found that batteries sited separately from renewables, in a nearby high-value location, added greater value to a project than tandem siting, particularly in constrained areas.

    By Will Gorman • May 19, 2021
  • NERC identifies 4 regions facing potential summer energy shortages

    Electric grids in California, Texas, New England and the Midwest may struggle to meet demand this summer despite operating improvements, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp.

    By May 18, 2021
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    Brian Tucker/Utility Dive
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    Major Duke investor calls for utility to break into 3 companies, unlock up to $15B in shareholder value

    Duke said in a statement it is still reviewing the proposal but added the plan "runs counter to the strategic direction" of the broader power sector's efforts to make large scale investments.

    By Catherine Morehouse • May 18, 2021
  • Maine State House from Capitol Park in Augusta
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    The image by Dora646566 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Bipartisan Maine lawmakers push to create first statewide, publicly owned utility in US

    Proponents say a key goal of creating such a publicly owned utility would be to make Maine the first state to reach its goal of 100% renewable energy.

    By Scott Van Voorhis • Updated June 18, 2021
  • Transmission tax credit could unlock 30 GW of renewables, spur over $15B in private capital, report finds

    The report also found the tax credit would create 650,000 "good paying jobs," in the near term, receiving support from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

    By Catherine Morehouse • May 14, 2021
  • Xcel opts for gas suppliers with lower methane emissions in Colorado

    The utility announced a pilot for certified lower-emission gas, seeking to advance upstream practices of reducing methane leaks. Clean energy groups say the certifications are effectively the new "clean coal."

    By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 13, 2021
  • Agilitas Energy $1.4M Rhode Island storage project to avoid up to 8.6X costlier transmission line fix

    Installing the battery will cost $1.4 million, compared to transmission line repairs that would have cost between $6 million and $12 million, according to the local utility.

    By Jason Plautz • May 12, 2021
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Colonial Pipeline hack highlights grid disruption risks even with IT-focused cyberattack, analysts say

    Hackers unleashed ransomware on the largest refined products pipeline on the East Coast, leading to a voluntary pipeline shutdown. Experts warn that the attack highlights a security gap around critical infrastructure.

    By May 11, 2021
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    Tim Boyle/Staff via Getty Images
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    Colonial Pipeline attack embodies security risk to nation's critical infrastructure

    Industry researchers suspect a Russian-linked criminal organization called DarkSide is behind the attack, though it has not publicly claimed responsibility.

    By David Jones • Updated May 10, 2021