Hollywood's next star could be virtual power plants as LADWP closes out natural gas

Power plant-scale VPPs are not in operation but pilots and proposals are about to get big tests.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2019

Puerto Rico's new governor plans to cancel $450K PREPA grid repair deal

The head of the island's electric utility, however, has indicated he will press Gov. Wanda Vázquez to reconsider that decision.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 12, 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

New York looks to Europe for offshore wind coordination, interconnection models to develop 9 GW

State stakeholders say coordination is key as they juggle a variety of transmission players based on the lessons learned from Europe, where developers have installed more than 17 GW of offshore wind.

By Max Witynski • Aug. 9, 2019

Crossed wires: Wisconsin transmission proposal sparks debate over best path to 100% clean energy

A major MISO transmission project could increase reliability and renewables in the Midwest, but opponents say there are better approaches to reducing carbon emissions.

By Max Witynski • Updated Sept. 30, 2019

Hawaii regulators question lack of non-wires alternatives in HECO's integrated grid plan

The Public Utilities Commission asked if a "course of correction is necessary" for the utility's plan, particularly regarding the resilience benefits of microgrid solutions on the state's mountainous islands.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 8, 2019

What's the best role for utilities as EVs proliferate? With Pepco, DC aims to find the right balance

A Public Service Commission order raises questions about how and if third-party charging companies should be regulated.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 7, 2019

Dominion invests $1.1B in offshore wind, watches Northeast developments

The utility's non-regulated generation business is developing two turbines off the coast of Virginia, with plans to develop more as prices drop.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 5, 2019

Enbridge natural gas pipeline explosion kills 1, injures 5 in Kentucky

A rupture on the almost 9,000 mile Texas Eastern Transmission pipeline caused the Thursday explosion.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 2, 2019

PG&E tells court deferred maintenance did not play a role in sparking wildfires

U.S. District Judge William Alsu​p had directed the utility to respond to reports that it knew for years there was a risk its aging transmission system could spark wildfires.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 1, 2019

Southwest Power Pool moves to boost reliability, storage amid CEO resignation

The buildout of cheap renewables and the large queue of battery storage projects prompted stakeholders to ask SPP to study the reliability impacts of a grid with less conventional generation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 1, 2019

DOE begins development of North American 'energy resilience model'

The U.S. Department of Energy will coordinate efforts with its national labs and use industry engagement to create best practices in a system that would anticipate damage to equipment, predict associated blackouts and assist with recovery.

By Robert Walton • July 31, 2019

Ameren cancels 157 MW wind project, citing transmission upgrade costs

The Missouri project would have required "unacceptably high" expenses that the utility said it didn't want to push on to ratepayers.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 30, 2019

FERC staff drafts environmental 'pass' for Mountain Valley Pipeline expansion

NextEra Energy's joint venture would add two delivery points to meet Dominion Energy's natural gas supply needs in North Carolina.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 30, 2019

Arizona commissioner pushes for retail competition vote by end of year

Justin Olson wants to allow households to choose energy providers, and envisions a future where incumbent utilities provide only transmission and distribution services.

By Robert Walton • July 30, 2019

NiSource settles Massachusetts gas explosion claims for $143M

The September 2018 explosions killed one person, damaged more than 100 structures and destroyed several homes.

By Robert Walton • July 30, 2019

PG&E bankruptcy timeline extended, creditors worry delay may block wildfire fund access

Bondholders and insurers are eager for their reorganization plans to be considered, but the utility now has until September to submit its own plan.

By Robert Walton • July 25, 2019

Tri-State files for FERC regulation, Delta-Montrose to exit in 2020

Delta-Montrose Electric Association and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association say they have negotiated a fair exit fee, though the amount will not be made public until next year.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2019

Island-wide outage on Kaua'i: Clouds block solar recovery after generator's cable failure

Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative's largest generator tripped offline on Sunday, leading to a power outage followed by continued rolling blackouts.

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2019

New Hampshire Supreme Court strikes down appeal for Northern Pass transmission permit

Gov. Chris Sununu, R, a long-time supporter of the project, says "it is time to move on," to other transmission projects that will bring clean energy to New England.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 22, 2019

13,000 without power following explosion at Madison Gas & Electric substation

The transmission company that owns and operates the equipment responsible for both fires says it identified a potential problem at the Blount Street substation during a routine inspection just days before the fire occurred.

By Max Witynski • Updated July 23, 2019

Berkeley sets historic law banning natural gas from new buildings

Berkeley is the first U.S. city to pass such a measure, designed to curb GHG emissions and prepare new buildings for electric infrastructure.

By Kristin Musulin • July 18, 2019

Tri-State, Delta-Montrose reach potential settlement on buyout costs

Earlier this month, Delta-Montrose Electric Association asked a Colorado district court for a temporary restraining order against Tri-State Generation and Transmission, as members looked at the cost to buy out of their contract.

By Robert Walton • July 17, 2019

Regulators unanimously approve Georgia Power plan, adding 80 MW storage

The plan also calls for shuttering four coal units and increasing renewables by 72%, but some environmentalists said the utility still relies too much natural gas and could do better on efficiency.

By Robert Walton • July 17, 2019

PG&E's grid inspections revealed almost 10K problems: Report

Of those problems, 1,000 posed safety risks severe enough to necessitate immediate attention.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2019

ConEd pinpoints cause of July 13 blackout

The utility concluded Monday the July 13 blackout was caused by a "flawed connection between some of the sensors and protective relays at the substation."

By Robert Walton • Updated July 30, 2019