Transmission & Distribution: Page 7
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Exelon’s ‘high probability’ data center load has nearly doubled to 11 GW, CEO says
Meanwhile, the PJM Interconnection’s plan to delay an upcoming capacity auction “sends a clear message that [market] reform is definitely needed,” CEO Calvin Butler said.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 31, 2024 -
SPP OKs $7.7B transmission plan targeting ‘generational challenges’ with power supply and demand
The projects have benefit-cost ratios of at least 8 to 1 and are expected to pay for themselves within three years, according to the Southwest Power Pool.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Mario Tama / Staff via Getty ImagesTrendlineGrid 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 -
US district court rules Texas transmission law favoring incumbent utilities unconstitutional
The ruling is a win for NextEra Energy and LS Power transmission subsidiaries as well as the East Texas Electric Cooperative.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 29, 2024 -
CenterPoint acquires smaller generators to aid in grid restorations, following Hurricane Beryl criticism
An independent analysis of CenterPoint’s July storm response included 77 recommendations, two-thirds of which the utility has already completed or is in the process of implementing.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 29, 2024 -
2024 Elections
How will the presidential and Senate election outcomes affect FERC and its policies?
The FERC chairman plays a key role in setting the agency’s agenda, but even if Donald Trump wins, the commission could have a Democratic majority for at least 18 months.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 29, 2024 -
Opinion
Where the wires meet the road: Fixing missed opportunities for long-distance transmission
We need to find ways to better integrate the planning of transmission and the siting of transmission from the get-go so that we don’t end up in situations where ideal pathways for transmission are missed.
By Adam Kurland • Oct. 28, 2024 -
The image by Chesapeake Bay Program is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0Deep Dive
APS, Duke, other utilities pursue new climate resilience strategies as some await upcoming tools
APS and Duke, along with Central Hudson Gas & Electric, PacifiCorp and Puget Sound Energy, see different paths to reach resilience planning’s potential while awaiting EPRI metrics to address uncertainties.
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 28, 2024 -
AEP Ohio reaches agreement with stakeholders on data center interconnection rules
The rate proposal comes as half of surveyed utilities are facing data center service requests for more than 1,000 MW each, according to an EPRI report.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 24, 2024 -
DTE on pace for more than $4B in reliability, smart grid investment this year
A September audit concluded DTE’s electric power restoration times are “worse than average.” Utility officials say their proposed investment plan will deliver “dramatic improvement.”
By Robert Walton • Oct. 24, 2024 -
Opinion
Utilities’ hidden clean energy tax is at the heart of our energy challenges
Ending utility self-funding is central to FERC’s efforts to change utilities’ incentives and push them to tackle more ambitious high-voltage projects.
By Ari Peskoe • Oct. 24, 2024 -
Nearly 100 utilities’ credit ratings downgraded since 2020 as wildfire risks grow
Rising insurance and mitigation costs threaten utilities' financial stability, but there may be hope on the horizon, according to a report from Charles River Associates.
By Emma Penrod • Oct. 23, 2024 -
AI, data center load could drive ‘extraordinary’ rise in US electricity bills: Bain analyst
Utility revenue requirements to serve growing data center electricity demand could increase customer bills by 1% annually through 2032, according to Bain & Company.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2024 -
DOE selects nearly $2B in projects for grid resilience funding
The projects will boost transmission capacity by more than 7.5 GW, accelerate interconnection for clean energy and spark over $4.2 billion in public and private investment, according to DOE.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 18, 2024 -
FERC bars payments for ‘deadband’ reactive power, plus 4 other open meeting takeaways
Renewable energy trade groups, Public Service Enterprise Group and other generators opposed the agency’s decision on reactive power.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 18, 2024 -
BPA plans $3 billion in transmission projects, including 500-kV lines
The planned transmission across Oregon and Washington comes as the Southwest Power Pool and California Independent System Operator aim to expand wholesale power markets in the West.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 16, 2024 -
stock.adobe.com/malp
Sponsored by Smarter Grid SolutionsFrom aggregation to action: Implementing effective behind-the-meter control strategies with Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS)
Discover how implementing a DERMS solution will help you utilize BTM DERs for grid reliability
Oct. 15, 2024 -
Tribal nations want utility-scale clean energy, but upfront costs pose a barrier
The deposit required to remain in an interconnection queue can cost tribes $5 million dollars on short notice, says Chéri Smith, CEO of the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy.
By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 14, 2024 -
AEP Ohio urges PUC to reject ‘Hail Mary’ data center tariff proposal from Amazon, others
Google, Microsoft and Meta joined Constellation Energy and other organizations last week in proposing terms for connecting “electricity-intensive” customers to the grid.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 14, 2024 -
PJM aims to fast-track reliability projects in interconnection queue
The PJM Interconnection’s plan to allow a limited number of reliability-oriented generating projects to enter an interconnection study process early next year sparked concerns from some stakeholders, including Invenergy.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 9, 2024 -
Opinion
Opportunities and obstacles for the Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission
The memorandum of understanding that established the collaborative is remarkable for the sheer number of states involved and the fact that it covers three independent system operators: ISO-NE, NYISO and PJM.
By Ryan Cross • Oct. 9, 2024 -
AEP, Dominion, FirstEnergy propose joint 765-kV transmission projects across PJM
The transmission proposals spanning Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio were developed through an “innovative joint planning agreement,” the companies said Monday.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 8, 2024 -
Retrieved from US Army Corps of Engineers.
DOE offers microgrid funding with focus on Alaska, Hawaii, indigenous tribes
“DOE plans to work closely with rural and tribal communities to develop microgrid technologies that will lead to more reliable, affordable energy in isolated regions,” science and innovation chief Geri Richmond said.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 7, 2024 -
DC Circuit upholds FERC order on NextEra Seabrook circuit breaker
The court decision on Friday likely resolves the last major hurdle for Avangrid’s $1.5 billion New England Clean Energy Connect transmission project, ClearView Energy Partners said.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 7, 2024 -
DOE selects 3-GW Pattern Energy transmission project linking ERCOT, Southeast for capacity buy
Avangrid, Invenergy and Grid United were other winning developers in the department’s $1.5 billion solicitation to buy transmission capacity.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 4, 2024 -
The image by Jakec is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Constellation, Calpine, others urge FERC to reject Exelon co-location tariff proposals
However, PJM’s market monitor supports the proposal, saying it would ensure co-located load pays for its share of grid and distribution services.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 3, 2024