Hawaii Electric improvising with microgrids as lava stalls resiliency efforts

The utility operator on Hawaii's big island is "handling the situation as well as anyone could," according to the state's PUC.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 18, 2018

ERCOT prices spike as Texas heads into a tightly-balanced summer

The grid operator for most of Texas says it has sufficient resources to meet the summer's anticipated peak demand, so long as the weather remains normal.

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

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

Federal court blocks Atlantic Coast Pipeline construction in at least some areas

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not properly guard against endangered species impacts when it signed off on the project. Dominion said it plans to move forward as scheduled.

By Robert Walton • May 16, 2018

Utilities join grid recovery initiative to stockpile transmission equipment

Grid Assurance has lined up six major utilities, including American Electric Power and two Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiaries, to its initiative to speed recovery in case of cyber or physical grid attack.

By Robert Walton • May 16, 2018

Full reconstruction of Puerto Rico's grid could take a decade, says lead contractor

Heading into the 2018 storm season, Puerto Rico's grid remains vulnerable. While some of the system has been hardened, much was simply rebuilt to its original form.

By Robert Walton • May 16, 2018

High values are blowing in offshore winds; policymakers may need more

In some locations, energy, capacity and REC prices could give offshore wind the edge over onshore wind, but policymakers need to see economic benefits.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 15, 2018

TVA rate change draws concern new fixed fee will hurt poor

The board of the Tennessee Valley Authority has approved a new wholesale fixed rate fee that works out to about $0.005/kWh.

By Robert Walton • May 14, 2018

South Australia's grid service costs slashed 90% by Tesla battery

New data shows the 100 MW / 129 MWh battery has already taken over 55% of the state's frequency control ancillary services.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 14, 2018

Massachusetts rejects smart meter rollout for 'weaknesses in the business case'

Regulators approved some grid-facing modernization benefits, but ordered utilities back to the drawing board on automated metering infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • May 14, 2018

GE to buy Alstom out of joint ventures for $3.1B

The three joint ventures, which focused on renewables, nuclear and the grid, were developed in 2015 when GE purchased Alstom's energy business.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2018

House committee advances bipartisan grid cybersecurity bills

The House Energy and Commerce Committee issued voice votes to report three bipartisan cybersecurity bills favorably to the House.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 10, 2018

California to require rooftop solar for new homes

The state is the first to mandate that new homes be built using advanced energy efficiency measures and rooftop solar, starting in 2020.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 9, 2018

Washington utilities need better carbon cost estimates in IRPs, regulator says

Washington utilities file an integrated resource plan every two years. Regulators want to see a more robust assessment of climate change risks in the next one.

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2018

Iowa town narrowly rejects break from Alliant

Supporters of breaking away from the utility are already gearing up for a recount.

By Robert Walton • May 9, 2018

Virginia regulators reject Dominion's 100% renewables tariff

The Virginia State Corporation Commission determined the proposed tariff would give Dominion "extraordinary discretion" and the rates would be subject to "uncertainty and subjectivity."

By Robert Walton • May 8, 2018

FERC approves elimination of SPP regional entity

Registered entities within the Southwest Power Pool Regional Entity footprint will be transferred to the Midwest Reliability Organization and SERC Reliability Corporation.

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2018

Illinois OKs Ameren plan to lower grid voltage, raise efficiency

New, cost-effective sensors, controls and communication systems will allow Ameren Illinois to maintain lower voltage levels on its system.

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2018

Pennsylavania opens 'future of utility rates' proceeding

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission issued a proposed policy statement calling for utilities to explore alternative ratemaking methodologies. 

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2018

ISO New England hits milestone: More grid power used at night than midday

Officials say this is a first but had been expected, due to the proliferation of distributed resources.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2018

New York ISO: Distributed solar largely to blame for declining load

New York's grid is aging needs an upgrade, but it's also undergoing rapid transition, due to a mix of policy and emerging technologies.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2018

Solar at the crossroads: Is utility-scale, distributed or both the way to go?

Sunrun says solar's future is on rooftops, but solar advocates and utilities say an advanced power system with utility-scale and distributed energy resources is a better bet.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 3, 2018

DOE IG report slams agency processes over misallocation of funds

The report found the department misallocated $16 million, with failures in training and communication, along with high levels of staff turnover contributing to the error.

By Peter Maloney • May 3, 2018

Iowa town vote on forming muni from Alliant too close to call

Decorah, Iowa, is considering whether to separate from Alliant and form a municipal utility in order to develop more renewable energy. 

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2018

New Hampshire drives efficiency by reducing utility incentives to sell more gas

State regulators moved to "decouple" Liberty Utilities' revenues from its commodity sales, thus encouraging energy efficiency and echoing efforts on the electric side.

By Robert Walton • May 2, 2018

Michigan lawmakers propose to boost consumer-generated renewables

A bipartisan package of five clean energy bills aims to restore "fair-value pricing" for renewable energy sold back to utility companies, among other changes.

By Robert Walton • May 1, 2018