Non-Wires Alternatives: What's up next in utility business model evolution

Utilities not already considering NWAs in planning processes should wise up quick, says Navigant analyst Brett Feldman.

By Brett Feldman • July 12, 2017

Competitive electricity retailing: Why restructuring must go on

Power consultant Erik Desrosiers offers five steps regulators can take to get electricity deregulation back on track.

By Erik Desrosiers • July 11, 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

Going beyond 'net zero' to passive house

Understanding that the grid is not a bank is key to recognizing that current ‘net zero’ accounting could lead to suboptimal building design outcomes.

July 11, 2017

California PUC will consider changes to community choice exit fee

California's investor-owned utilities jointly filed proposed changes to how the costs associated with system generation are allocated. 

By Robert Walton • July 11, 2017

In Illinois, cloud computing debate could open next chapter of utility rate reform

Changes sought to the financial treatment of cloud computing could be applied to energy efficiency and other resources. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 10, 2017

Virginia expands review of Atlantic Coast, Mountain Valley pipelines

The Virginia D​epartment of Environmental Quality will hold five public hearings in August on the controversial gas pipelines.

By Robert Walton • July 6, 2017

Hawaiian Electric proposes new, cheaper grid modernization plan

A previous grid modernization plan was rejected in December for being too costly.

By Peter Maloney • July 6, 2017

Keys to developing an effective utility EV charging program

ChargePoint's Dave Packard argues simplicity and customer choice are critical elements for utilities building out electric vehicle charging networks. 

By Dave Packard • July 5, 2017

New York Supreme Court upholds state prohibition on ESCO sales to low-income customers

The court also reiterated that the state's Public Service Commission has regulatory jurisdiction over energy service companies.

By Robert Walton • July 5, 2017

How New York City expects to save 75 MW this summer through demand response

The city's complex demand management program just registered its 400th facility and it's looking to expand further.

By Robert Walton • June 28, 2017

California city sues to block $350M transmission project

The South Orange County Reliability Enhancement could take five years to complete and aims to improve reliability, but opponents say it is unnecessary.

By Robert Walton • June 28, 2017

Updated: Cyberattacks targeted US nuclear sites this year, report says

It is unclear if the attacks, reported by E&E News, are related to a wave of malware spreading across Europe, impacting Ukrainian power firms and the Chernobyl nuclear site.

By Robert Walton • June 27, 2017

As gas plants struggle, California seeks new flexible capacity strategies

With up to 6 GW of gas plants at risk of closure in the coming years, energy stakeholders are scrambling for new compensation techniques and zero-carbon alternatives. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 27, 2017

Heat wave sets new power demand records across Arizona

Temperatures of nearly 120°F pushed demand to new heights at three Arizona utilities, while California power providers called for customer cutbacks. 

By Peter Maloney • June 26, 2017

Duke wants extension of contracts underpinning Atlantic Coast Pipeline

Three utilities have asked North Carolina regulators to extend the deadline on gas purchase agreements which are set to expire, and necessary to develop a 600-mile regional pipeline.

By Robert Walton • June 23, 2017

NERC: Cyberattacks a top risk for grids

There were no successful grid cyberattacks on the bulk power system last year, but that doesn't mean the threat is weak, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

By Robert Walton • June 23, 2017

Stop, collaborate and listen: California stakeholders want to open electric system communications

The state's utilities, DER providers and CAISO outline a new plan that would streamline communications between transmission and distribution operators and DER developers. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 22, 2017

Utilities in hot water: Realizing the benefits of grid-integrated water heaters

Water heaters offer storage capabilities at a fraction of the cost of batteries. The challenge is getting everyone a piece of the returns. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 20, 2017

Baltimore Gas & Electric files 5-year grid modernization plan

The utility will lean on its advanced metering infrastructure to examine customer behavior, optimize the distribution system and study system load growth.

By Robert Walton • June 20, 2017

CAISO finalizes proposed storage, DR rules

The goal is to lower barriers to energy storage and distributed resources participating in the California ISO market.

By Robert Walton • June 16, 2017

SMUD's holistic DER planning process could set new standard for utilities

Even solar advocates are praising the distributed resource planning done by Sacramento's municipal utility.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 16, 2017

Utility CEOs to DOE: Hands off state energy policies, grid planning

Members of EEI's board say they want the DOE's baseload review to embrace the power mix transformation, not inhibit it.

By Gavin Bade • June 15, 2017

A new study defends ARPA-E in wake of Trump's proposed budget cuts

A congressionally mandated study found the Department of Energy's APRA-E secured $1.25 billion in private funding and 74 patents so far. 

By Peter Maloney • June 15, 2017

Massachusetts bill would compel utilities to consider non-wires alternatives

Under H. 1725, utilities would have to submit any plans for system upgrades to a newly created Grid Modernization Board, which would evaluate the viability of NWAs.

By Robert Walton , Gavin Bade • June 14, 2017

Report: Malware traced to Ukraine grid attacks could be used to target US grid

Cybersecurity firm Dragos says Russian hackers developed the malware tied to a 2015 attack that caused widespread blackouts in Ukraine, and it could be used to target the U.S. grid.

By Robert Walton • June 14, 2017