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

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

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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

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. 9, 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. 9, 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. 6, 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. 2, 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

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

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

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. 8, 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. 8, 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. 5, 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. 5, 2020

Biden could pursue 'easy' climate solutions, elements of the Green New Deal if elected: experts

Renewable energy, storage and transmission projects will continue to face challenges even in "blue" states supportive of such development, according to speakers at the Society of Environmental Journalists' annual conference.

By Gloria Gonzalez • Oct. 2, 2020

Flurry of grid security bills pass House, including public-private training partnership

Electric utilities support several of the measures, one of which would direct the Department of Energy to provide training to utilities to mitigate cybersecurity supply chain management risks.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2020

Climate change had its presidential debate moment. What did we learn?

President Donald Trump says humans contribute to changing climate "to an extent," and that "forest management" is a key to addressing California wildfires. Joe Biden vows no more coal or oil-fired plants built.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2020

NextEra, Mountain Valley Pipeline developers receive 2-year extension from FERC

Regulators lifted a work-stop order on Friday on all but a 25-mile segment including a national forest. Developers were previously aiming to bring the pipeline in service by early next year.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Oct. 13, 2020

NERC, FERC recommend public anonymity for utilities violating power system security rules

Staff recommended the North American Electric Reliability Corp. stop publicly posting redacted versions of noncompliance filings and submittals — recommendations that would reduce transparency, say customer advocates.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2020

Network management to meet goals and create value

Utility leaders struggle to adapt, modernize, and move their networks forward in cost-effective ways.

By Pat Hohl, Esri • Sept. 28, 2020

Utilities aren't rewarded for saving money. FERC now has a chance to fix this

Current federal incentives for improving transmission all point the wrong way: rewarding utilities for building expensive, inefficient boondoggles, rather than making the most of what they already have, the authors write.

By Jigar Shah and Rob Gramlich • Sept. 23, 2020

White House authorizes $9.6B to rebuild Puerto Rico's grid, but how can it be spent?

The Trump administration also faces doubts about its intentions in announcing the disaster relief funding three years after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico — but less than two months before the November election.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2020