Microgrids alone cannot eliminate wildfire risk

Fully self-contained microgrids are not economic today, given all the ways in which they can serve as grid assets, so Edison Electric Institute warns against relying on them as an alternative to de-energizing power lines.

By Scott Aaronson • Oct. 25, 2019

Utilities' failure to plan for DER surge promises missed opportunities, increased costs, analysts say

Utilities can use skyrocketing customer-owned DER to balance rising penetrations of variable renewables on their systems, if they take on the big work of distribution system planning.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 24, 2019

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

California urges energy providers procure additional 4 GW to avoid potential shortages starting in 2021

The procurement proceeding, part of an effort to overhaul utility integrated resource planning in the state, also recommends compliance extensions necessary to keep several once-through cooling units online.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 24, 2019

Unpaid debts and lost grants: Co-ops struggle with 2017 tax law as Congress moves to address impacts

The "unintended consequences" from the 2017 tax law have become the "biggest policy priority" for rural electric cooperatives trying to maintain their nonprofit status.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 23, 2019

Arizona regulator floats new IRP process to reduce reliance on APS, other utility load forecasts

The head of the Arizona Corporation Commission has sketched out a new long-term planning process that he says will result in "more independence and greater stakeholder input."

By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 2019

San Jose proposes multibillion PG&E buyout. Utility says it's 'not for sale'

The mayor of San Jose, California, has proposed cities and counties buy Pacific Gas & Electric and turn it into the nation's largest publicly-owned supplier of electricity.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 2019

PG&E 'failed on so many levels' in executing mass power shutoff, CPUC tells utility execs

"More resiliency will not and should never translate to Californians being willing to put up with inadequate execution of measures that are supposed to keep them safe," the head utility regulator said on Friday.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2019

EV charging promises a demand response bonanza for utilities, if they can handle it

Aggregated flexible load of high EV penetrations will be lucrative in demand response markets, but for now smaller EV demand gives utilities management practice.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 18, 2019

New York adopts utility-ESCO cybersecurity standards, rejects insurance requirements

Regulators established minimum requirements for third parties to access customer data through utility IT systems, but rejected a proposal to require a $5 million insurance policy for damages that could arise from a cybersecurity breach.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2019

Michigan joins spate of state grid modernization initiatives

The MI Power Grid program will focus on three areas: customer engagement, integrating emerging technologies, and optimizing grid performance and investments.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2019

PG&E power shutoff 'unacceptable': California calls for refunds, investigation and corrective action

The utility is defending the shutoff that impacted 2 million people last week, saying it "made that decision to keep customers and communities safe."

By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2019

Clean Peaks & Polar Vortexes: Aligning climate and reliability goals in an extreme weather world

If states do not align digitization, decentralization and decarbonization policies with a fourth dimension of diversification, industry may need to take unprecedented action, the authors write.

By Brian Evans-Mongeon, Dan Kopin and Lon Huber • Oct. 14, 2019

FERC cybersecurity report identifies 'potential compliance infractions'

The report includes recommendations to help the bulk power system enhance compliance with mandatory reliability standards for critical infrastructure and to improve the overall cybersecurity of an increasingly distributed electric grid.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2019

Mass shutoffs to remain a reality for PG&E as utility calls long-term DER solutions 'speculation'

The utility says its Public Safety Power Shutoff program is already "granular," and larger system improvements will take years.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2019

Resilient RPS: New Orleans' unique challenges require new solutions

Ongoing shut-offs in the Bay Area are an ominous warning that local, distributed resources are a necessary part of a climate resilient future, the authors write.

By Karl R. Rábago & Thad Culley • Oct. 11, 2019

Colorado authorizes transfer of Xcel assets to Boulder, boosting city's municipalization efforts

It's a major step forward, but officials say much work remains, and voters will still have the final say.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2019

There once was a 48 MWh Tesla battery on Nantucket, which saved National Grid $120M in its budget

Pairing the eight-hour battery system with a 15 MW diesel generator, the utility avoided nearly $200 million in permitting and construction costs for an undersea transmission cable.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 10, 2019

Powerless: PG&E loses exclusive control of bankruptcy, shuts off power to 800K

On Wednesday, high winds forced the massive outage to reduce fire risks, while a bankruptcy judge threw the company's future into uncertainty.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 10, 2019

NIPSCO to replace coal with 2.3 GW of solar, storage in latest RFP

The investor-owned utility is leading a rapid transition away from its aging coal assets through bids for more economic resources.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 9, 2019

NextEra enters the picture as Jacksonville utility targets at least $6.8B in sale

Some 16 bidders responded to JEA's invitation to negotiate, with nine making it through the first round of consideration.

By Robert Walton • Updated Oct. 15, 2019

Supreme Court to take on Atlantic Coast Pipeline appeal

The Trump administration disputed a lower court's ruling to reject a Forest Service permit for the pipeline, and the appeal could have implications for other pipelines crossing the federally-protected Appalachian Trail.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 7, 2019

PG&E announces $34.4B in debt financing heading into 2nd round of exclusivity fight

On Monday, Judge Dennis Montali will hear arguments from creditors who want to propose their own plan.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2019

FERC rejects Tri-State's proposed tariffs, stymying 1st effort at federal regulation

Environmental groups say the transmission and generation cooperative is trying to "shop around for regulators," while Tri-State maintains it is seeking more stable rates for its customers. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2019

PG&E admits fault in sparking large 2019 wildfires, judge demands 'precise details' for 3

The utility told a court this week that its equipment may have played a role in sparking nine fires, three of which were caused by previous problem areas.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 3, 2019

ERCOT weathers steamy August, but could Texas become a winter-peaking system?

Electrifying home heating would turn Texas from a summer to winter peaking system, requiring changes in generator maintenance schedules and updates to transmission cost allocations, a report found.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 3, 2019