Prognosis negative: How California is dealing with below-zero power market prices

A rainy winter and growing solar have CAISO prices going negative and renewable energy going to waste — what should policymakers do?

By Herman K. Trabish • May 11, 2017

Software upgrade to old sodium battery marks shift in AEP's storage strategy

Tapping into a new revenue stream will help the utility to incorporate storage into its long-term plans. 

By Peter Maloney • May 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

NPCC: Northeast has sufficient power supplies to meet demand this summer

Even extreme weather wouldn't amount to enough power demand to cause reliability problems, the Northeast Power Coordinating Council said in its seasonal assessment. 

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2017

Itron acquires demand response provider Comverge for $100M

Integration with the AMI giant will allow Comverge to develop a "more compelling offer that leverages data and analytics to optimize the management of distributed energy resources."

By Gavin Bade • May 8, 2017

Report: Wind energy sets 8-year record as installations swell in Q1

A new report released by the American Wind Energy Association says the industry "switched on more megawatts in the first quarter than in the last three quarters."

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 8, 2017

Myth-busting the 2017 electric utility customer

What would you do differently if electricity became THE ultimate object of desire, with your customers lining up to pay 24,000x its cost for power?

May 4, 2017

Despite high-profile denials, power sector M&A strength to continue

As utility companies grow larger, some see a new paradigm emerging for power sector consolidation. 

By Peter Maloney • May 1, 2017

Arizona's SRP to join Western Energy Imbalance Market

The public power utility expects to save $4 million annually by joining the growing market.

By Robert Walton • May 1, 2017

New Jersey officials say PennEast gas pipeline application is incomplete

Developers of a $1 billion gas pipeline proposed for Pennsylvania and New Jersey will have one month to update the application.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2017

Southern Cross transmission builders file for approval in Mississippi

The 2,000 MW transmission project would move Texas wind to markets in the southeastern U.S. 

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2017

California utilities propose bill charges for community aggregation customers

As more customers take service through Community Choice Aggregation programs, California utilities say unanticipated costs are being passed on to those who remain with the standard service.

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2017

Pepco proposes off-peak charging rate for EV drivers in DC

The program would build on lessons in neighboring Maryland, where the utility found drivers readily changed charging behavior in reaction to rate design. 

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2017

Drones-as-a-service: These days, utilities are outsourcing everything

AES spent years developing its own program, but as is often the case with newfangled technologies, found a partnership was the fastest way to scale up value.   

By Robert Walton • April 26, 2017

Why utilities are more confident than ever about renewable energy growth

Concerns about integrating high levels of variable wind, solar and distributed generation are waning, Utility Dive's sector survey shows.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2017

CAISO: California curtailed 80 GWh of renewables in March

Further expanding the grid operator's western Energy Imbalance Market is one potential solution to the state's renewable energy oversupply.

By Robert Walton • April 24, 2017

National Grid files to build 40 MWh storage project on Long Island

The utility filed with the NY Public Service Commission to lease land for Long Island energy storage project.

By Peter Maloney • April 24, 2017

Boulder carries on muni fight after rejecting Xcel settlement offers

The city determined this week to continue its fight to form a municipal electric utility. In a best-case scenario, that's still five years away.

By Robert Walton • April 21, 2017

The new all-of-the above: HECO looks to wind, solar and beyond for 100% renewables mandate

Hawaiian Electric Co.'s roadmap to a 100% renewables grid will rely on EVs and DERs alongside established central-station renewables.

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2017

DC Circuit: FERC must do better in explaining changes to transmission returns

The D.C. Circuit Court last week vacated a 2014 FERC order lowering the return on equity for transmission owners in ISO-New England. 

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2017

Advancing microgrid technology with engineering, innovation, and good will

Improved inverter design and distributed system-control technology increases microgrid energy output, allowing for expanded research in the field. 

April 19, 2017

Bruised by dual denials, what's next for Oncor and NextEra?

Both companies have seen two merger proposals denied in as many years, but analysts say their Texas two-step may not be over yet. 

By Robert Walton • April 17, 2017

Duke Energy to harden North Carolina's power system with $13B initiative

Upgrades will protect the system against outages, cyber- and physical attacks, while creating jobs and boosting renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • April 17, 2017

California PUC, Energy Commission to scrutinize future of retail choice

By 2050, 80% of California consumers could have some sort of alternative retail electric service, the CPUC and CEC said, prompting the agencies to hold a special en banc hearing May 19.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2017

Arizona-Mexico transmission tie could be complete by 2019

Unisource Energy and Hunt Power are developing the line, which will help ensure reliability in Nogales, Ariz.

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2017

Higher gas prices add to ISO-NE power costs in February

Gas was almost 7% more expensive this February than last, pushing average wholesale power prices above $28/MWh.

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2017