Transmission & Distribution: Page 2


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    59 GW in data center load seeking to connect to Oncor’s system: CEO

    Nearly three-fourths of new interconnection requests are coming from data centers, Oncor officials said.

    By Emma Penrod • Aug. 8, 2024
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    Opinion

    Do Tri-State’s member exits signal ‘the next episode’ for PJM?

    PJM may look “too big to fail,” and reliance interests are always tough to overcome, but the same inflexibility and internal contradictions that are leading to Tri-State’s demise are roiling PJM.

    By Ray Gifford and Matt Larson • Aug. 7, 2024
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    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
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    Innovative transmission, energy storage projects in 18 states get $2.2B from DOE

    Companies involved in winning projects include Allete, Duke Energy, Eversource, Grid United, National Grid, Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison.

    By Aug. 6, 2024
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    kflGALORE via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Senate permitting reform compromise is a win for American energy and American politics

    The legislation would provide a good foundation to undo unreasonable timetables and fragmented planning processes inhibiting investments in clean energy projects.

    By Paolo Mastrangelo • Aug. 5, 2024
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    istockphoto.com/shulz

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    Sponsored by Copper Labs

    It’s time for a new approach to ensure utilities can get the data they need without driving up customer bills

    A modern AMx framework can help utilities better balance meter infrastructure and affordability needs by enabling mixed-meter portfolios and improving cost-effectiveness.

    Aug. 5, 2024
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    USTR to decide soon on proposed tariff hikes for Chinese solar cells, EVs, other items

    The White House’s rationale for increasing tariffs is to make the U.S. more competitive in the clean energy and technology sectors, a major focus during the Biden administration.

    By Philip Neuffer • Aug. 2, 2024
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    PJM capacity auction to lead to double-digit rate hikes for Exelon utilities: CFO

    When asked about possible power plant ownership, Exelon President and CEO Calvin Butler said, “We're working with our [state utility] commissions on all types of scenarios.”

    By Aug. 2, 2024
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    FERC calls SPP Western market proposal ‘deficient,’ requests more info

    Southwest Power Pool is developing a response to questions about its Western day-ahead electricity market, including rules around transmission capacity availability and resource aggregations.

    By Aug. 2, 2024
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    The image by FirstEnergy is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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    FirstEnergy seeks alternatives to PJM capacity market to bolster power supply

    “I'd call yesterday's [PJM auction results] the canary in the coal mine, and the canary didn't make it,” Brian Tierney, FirstEnergy president and CEO, said.

    By Aug. 1, 2024
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    Gerville via Getty Images
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    AEP data center and other commercial sales soar 12.4% in Q2

    American Electric Power’s peak load could jump 43% by the end of this decade, to 50 GW, based on current data center commitments, according to the company.

    By Aug. 1, 2024
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    New York could see electricity demand grow 90% by 2042: ISO

    Long-duration batteries, small modular nuclear reactors, hydrogen and fuel cells may be needed to replace 25 GW of fossil generation by 2040.

    By Aug. 1, 2024
  • Mutual assistance crews working with CenterPoint Energy work to restore power around Houston, Texas, following Hurricane Beryl.
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    Texas weighs clawing back $800M CenterPoint spent on unused generation

    Hurricane Beryl impacts could contribute to a 2% rise in customer bills for 15 years, the utility said Tuesday.

    By July 31, 2024
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    Opinion

    Steering gas utilities toward calmer seas with an eye to the electric experience

    State regulators need to begin assembling their tools to manage the impact of the energy transition — on both gas customers and the electric grid — before crises in affordability and reliability are upon us.

    By Sarah Steinberg and Brad Cebulko • July 30, 2024
  • A helicopter hovers over transmission lines hung on three pylons.
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    The image by brewbooks is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    55 miles of high-voltage transmission lines added in 2023 as US buildout slows: report

    Despite the slowdown, utilities spent more than $25 billion on transmission last year, mainly on lower-voltage projects, up from about $20 billion in 2013, according to Grid Strategies.

    By July 30, 2024
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    Sponsored by Hitachi Energy

    Helping keep the heat on in rural Maryland

    Case study: BGE advanced clean energy goals and met state requirements with battery energy storage.

    July 29, 2024
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    kflGALORE via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Competition may delay needed transmission, increasing costs

    The process FERC and individual states set through future reforms will be determinative in whether there is added time to an already long transmission development timeline.

    By Benjamin Dierker • July 25, 2024
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    DOE awards $371M to boost permitting, local benefits from transmission projects

    Most of the grants support projects that give communities tangible benefits from transmission development, said Maria Robinson, director of the Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office.

    By July 24, 2024
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    The image by Jakec is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    AEP, Exelon oppose Talen-Amazon interconnection pact to protect rate base growth potential: Constellation

    Exelon’s Commonwealth Edison stands to add up to $5 billion to its rate base by building transmission infrastructure to serve planned data centers in Illinois, according to Constellation Energy.

    By July 24, 2024
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    Bilanol via Getty Images
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    Utility commissioners from 14 states, DC, say FERC transmission rule will lower energy costs

    The support comes after utility commissions from Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia challenged the agency’s rule in court, partly because they say it usurps state authority.

    By July 24, 2024
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    Anna Rose Layden via Getty Images
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    Bipartisan energy permitting bill ups FERC transmission siting authority, requires interregional planning

    The Senate bill released Monday could guide the framework for action on permitting reform, which may not come until next year, according to observers.

    By July 23, 2024
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    "sunset2" by Barbara Eckstein is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Opinion

    FERC’s transmission rule will boost grid reliability and affordability without usurping state authority

    “We represent states with diverse energy goals, but we are all satisfied FERC’s new planning rule will produce beneficial and fair outcomes for our residents and businesses,” five utility commissioners write.

    By Andrew French, Joseph Sullivan, Ann Rendahl, Gabriel Aguilera and Davante Lewis • July 23, 2024
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    Deep Dive

    Innovative solutions emerge to reduce 2.5-TW US clean energy interconnection backlog

    California’s project scoring criteria, the Texas connect and manage option and SPP’s work to link system planning with the interconnection process across its multistate region could speed the clean energy expansion.

    By July 22, 2024
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    Michael Valdez via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Technosylva

    Forecasting the unprecedented

    For a risk manager at an electric utility, it's crucial to recognize that the threat of catastrophic wildfires is pervasive and exists almost everywhere.

    By Pavel Grechanuk, Senior Data Scientist, Technosylva • July 22, 2024
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    Permission granted by Kraken
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    Sponsored by Kraken

    What it means to transform an energy business

    As an increasing number of customers adopt distributed energy resources into their homes – such as solar panels, EV chargers, or home batteries – consumer expectations and market dynamics are changing in tandem.

    By Anja Langer-Jacquin – VP Client Success and Account Management, Kraken • July 22, 2024
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    Zview via Getty Images
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    States, clean energy groups, others appeal FERC transmission planning rule

    A lottery will be held to determine which court will handle the appeals to the agency’s Order 1920.

    By July 19, 2024