PREPA forgoes mutual aid, opting for little-known contractor

By the time municipal utilities gathered to offer assistance to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, it had already signed on Montana-based Whitefish Energy to do grid repairs. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 10, 2017

Why utilities need to respond now to the EV boom

Utilities can either embrace electric vehicle growth or be caught "flat-footed" when new power demand materializes, an RMI report warns. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 9, 2017

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

FERC terminates inquiry on cybersecurity controls for grid control centers

The agency said current cybersecurity measures provide sufficient protection from cyberattacks and some of the proposed modifications could pose operational risks.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2017

A trio of storms could mean grid modernization in hard-hit areas

Florida, Puerto Rico and Texas all have an opportunity to reassess their power system.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2017

What's the weather forecast for your utility's brand reputation?

How comfortable a utility is in adopting an authentic, multi-channel communications approach is a major driver today in how well its brand weathers storms.

Oct. 5, 2017

Survey: Most utility executives say cybersecurity is a top concern

57% of the respondents to a new Accenture survey listed interruptions to the power supply from cyberattacks as their most serious concern.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 5, 2017

28 utilities join RESTORE program to boost grid resilience, reliability

The RESTORE program allows participants to share spare critical equipment to restore electrical service after catastrophic emergencies or significant natural events.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2017

Arizona coal plant may get new life as potential buyers emerge

Utilities with a stake in the 2,250 MW Navajo Generating Station planned to close it by 2019. But now it appears the facility will stay open longer. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 3, 2017

FERC eschews social cost of carbon measurement in new downstream analysis

The agency issued a new draft EIS for a pipeline project in response to the D.C. Circuit Court ruling, but said the social cost of carbon calculation is not appropriate for its analysis.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2017

Why it's time to fully embrace America's energy grid diversification

U.S. regulators should help drive more distributed resources into the grid, ICF's Philip Mihlmester writes, recommending how they can do so to the benefit of energy consumers and utilities.

By Philip Mihlmester • Sept. 29, 2017

PacifiCorp launches RFP for 1,270 MW of Wyoming wind

Projects must be capable of interconnecting with PacifiCorp’s Wyoming transmission system, but could also be located in Oregon or Utah.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 29, 2017

Connecticut energy plan raises tough questions on comparative resource valuation

Critics say the state's comprehensive energy plan falls short in capturing the full costs and benefits of energy technologies.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2017

$1B loan offer to struggling Puerto Rico utility may be rejected

If approved, the loan and a related debt discount would allow the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority to lower its total debt from $8.1 billion to roughly $7.95 billion, and apply for matching disaster funds from the federal government.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2017

NERC proposal targets cybersecurity risks in electric system supply chains

The new standards aim to reduce the likelihood that an attacker could exploit legitimate vendor patch management processes to deliver compromised software updates to the United States bulk electric system.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2017

ABB shores up electrification business with $2.6B GE unit purchase

The Swiss company expects its acquisition of GE Industrial solutions will close by mid 2018 and increase its presence in North America.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 28, 2017

As Perry slams state pipeline decisions, lawyers say DOE has little authority to intervene

The Secretary of Energy has cast energy infrastructure as a national security issue, but his agency has little power over siting decisions.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2017

Central Maine Power seeks permit to transmit cheap hydro from Canada

The company expects the 1,200 MW New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line to produce significant cost savings for customers by holding down future wholesale electricity prices.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2017

Crisis in Puerto Rico deepens as generator fuel supplies run low

Fuel is being delivered by armed guard to hospitals with generators to avoid looting, Reuters reported.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2017

Mission impossible? How utilities are minimizing disruptions from inevitable storms

Grid hardening, automation and flood monitoring are some of the ways utilities are reducing outages and accelerating recovery efforts after recent hurricanes.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2017

Perry: DOE still weighing state policy intervention for gas pipelines, grid reliability

The federal agency could intervene in state energy policies when there is a national security interest, particularly in interstate pipeline disputes, Secretary Rick Perry said at a Monday event in Washington, D.C.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 26, 2017

Puerto Rico power grid 'devastated' by Maria, PREPA CEO says

The bankrupt utility may have lost 80% of its T&D infrastructure, its CEO said on Friday.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 25, 2017

Sempra-backed study slams San Diego community choice aspirations

While the city believes developing a community choice aggregation program could grow clean energy, a consultant says the cost could reach into the billions.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2017

Mountain West Transmission Group moves to join SPP

The group of 10 western power providers could be integrated into SPP markets as soon as late 2019.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 25, 2017

Indiana regulators approve Vectren's 7-year grid modernization plan

Per a settlement, Vectren's $514 million proposal was reduced to $446 million in grid modernization investments.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2017

Illinois Supreme Court ruling endangers Clean Line transmission project

However, the ruling specified that developers of the Rock Island Clean Line project can reapply for state approval.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2017