Cyber Pirates Could Hold The Renewable Revolution For Ransom Dec 19, 2021 Cybersecurity risks to critical infrastructure came to the forefront this year when hackers took over the Colonial Pipeline. The renewable revolution is especially vulnerable to cyber attacks, as well. Wind and solar energy infrastructure are in desperate need…
White House releases plan to grow US’s EV charging network to 500,000 stations
White House releases plan to grow US’s EV charging network to 500,000 stations Dec. 13th 2021 The White House released today its plan on spending the $7.5 billion on electric vehicle infrastructure with the goal to grow the US’s national EV charging network to 500,000 charging stations. Read more
AEP Ohio earns PUCO approval for third phase of smart grid expansion
AEP Ohio earns PUCO approval for third phase of smart grid expansion December 03, 2021 Work will proceed on the third phase of AEP Ohio’s more than $220 million, seven-year plan to modernize its grid after a settlement in the affiliated case was approved this week by the Public Utilities…
US power transmission, distribution costs seen outpacing electricity production costs
US power transmission, distribution costs seen outpacing electricity production costs 24 Nov 2021 US utility transmission and distribution costs have been rising faster than electricity production costs over the past decade, with utility spending on power delivery 65% higher in 2020 than in 2010, a trend that could continue as…
U.S. grid ready for winter, NERC says, New England and California may face fuel pinch
U.S. grid ready for winter, NERC says, New England and California may face fuel pinch Energize Weekly, December 1, 2021 Winter electricity-generating resources across the North American grid are forecast to be adequate, although weather and fuel access issues may create challenges for New England, California and parts of Canada.…
Texas grid vulnerable to blackouts during severe weather, even with new preparations, ERCOT says
Texas grid vulnerable to blackouts during severe weather, even with new preparations, ERCOT says November 21, 2021 Electricity outages in Texas could occur this winter if the state experiences a cold snap that forces many power plants offline at the same time as demand for power is high, according to an…
‘We could handle it right now’ — AEP chief says U.S. power grid can sustain influx of EVs
‘We could handle it right now’ — AEP chief says U.S. power grid can sustain influx of EVs NOV 12 2021 The U.S. power grid will be able to handle the influx of electric vehicles in the coming years, American Electric Power CEO Nick Akins told CNBC on Friday. Read more
Infrastructure bill offers a $30 billion down payment on upgrading the nation’s grid
Infrastructure bill offers a $30 billion down payment on upgrading the nation’s grid Energize Weekly, November 17, 2021 The federal infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden this week, includes a nearly $30 billion down payment in grants and loan authorities to upgrade the nation’s aging and challenged electric grid.…
DTE plans $7B, 5-year investment in SE Michigan electric grid, tree trimming
DTE plans $7B, 5-year investment in SE Michigan electric grid, tree trimming Nov. 4, 2021 DTE Energy Co. plans to invest $7 billion over the next five years to modernize southeast Michigan’s electric grid and prepare for increasing demand from electric vehicles. Read more
One year into partnership with Xcel Energy, Boulder beginning projects, developing goals
One year into partnership with Xcel Energy, Boulder beginning projects, developing goals October 31, 2021 It’s been a year since Boulder voters approved a franchise agreement with Xcel Energy, pausing its years-long quest to form its own municipally owned utility. Read more
Western U.S. could reap $2 billion in benefits from a regional electricity market
Western U.S. could reap $2 billion in benefits from a regional electricity market Energize Weekly, October 27, 2021 The American West – one of only two regions in the country without a regional electricity market – could see benefits of as much as $2 billion a year by creating a…
Entergy’s post-Ida restoration efforts prove success of resiliency investments
Entergy’s post-Ida restoration efforts prove success of resiliency investments October 14, 2021 Massive restoration efforts by Entergy Corp. continue as the New Orleans-headquartered power company repairs, rebuilds and strengthens its electric system in hard-hit coastal communities devastated by Hurricane Ida, a situation that could have been even worse were it…
Climate-driven weather disasters threaten global energy infrastructure, IEA says
Climate-driven weather disasters threaten global energy infrastructure, IEA says Energize Weekly, October 20, 2021 Energy and infrastructure systems built over the last century are becoming more vulnerable to the ravages of climate change-driven extreme weather events, according to a series of reports. “Extreme weather events over the past year have…
Consultants offer ways to improve US power transmission planning in FERC comments
Consultants offer ways to improve US power transmission planning in FERC comments 11 Oct 2021 Stakeholders and power market participants have begun submitting responses to federal regulators regarding an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on transmission improvements, with one group contending transportation and space heating electrification will increase power demand…
N.J. advances grid plan seen as national model for renewables
N.J. advances grid plan seen as national model for renewables 10/05/2021 New Jersey is weighing a novel approach to developing electric transmission projects that observers say could soon be explored by other states and help drive renewables. New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities announced Sept. 24 that it had closed…
Liberty upgrading downtown infrastructure
Liberty upgrading downtown infrastructure Sep 26, 2021 An upgrade to some of Liberty’s oldest electric infrastructure in Joplin is now fully underway as the utility works to replace lines, poles and add new substations downtown that officials said will improve reliability. Read more
System Monitors Transmission Lines for Faults and Damage
System Monitors Transmission Lines for Faults and Damage SEP 14, 2021 Prisma Photonics Ltd and Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) have signed a pilot agreement to supply monitoring services for IEC’s electrical power transmission grid. The collaboration has started as a part of Israel’s Innovation Authority’s program to run pilots in governmental companies and national infrastructure.…
Why Hurricane Ida crippled the New Orleans power grid
Why Hurricane Ida crippled the New Orleans power grid September 4, 2021 Hurricane Ida’s 150-mph winds crippled a Louisiana electric grid already vulnerable from aging transmission lines, electricity bottlenecks and $2 billion worth of damage caused by three hurricanes that hit last year. Read more
Hurricane Ida damage to Louisiana’s power grid expected to take weeks to repair
Hurricane Ida damage to Louisiana’s power grid expected to take weeks to repair August 30, 2021 Rescuers set out in hundreds of boats and helicopters to reach people trapped by floodwaters Monday, and utility repair crews rushed in, after a furious Hurricane Ida swamped the Louisiana coast and ravaged the…
Texas power demand to hit record high during Tuesday heat
Texas power demand to hit record high during Tuesday heat August 24, 2021 The Texas power grid operator forecast demand would reach a record high on Tuesday as homes and businesses crank up their air conditioners to escape another heat wave. Read more
PG&E power line suspected in Dixie fire was set to be buried underground in safety move
PG&E power line suspected in Dixie fire was set to be buried underground in safety move AUG. 10, 2021 After Pacific Gas & Electric equipment sparked a massive fire that burned much of Paradise, Calif., and killed 86 people in 2018, the utility vowed a safety campaign aimed at preventing similar…
PG&E Announces Plan to Underground 10,000 Miles of Power Lines in Highest Fire-Threat Areas
PG&E Announces Plan to Underground 10,000 Miles of Power Lines in Highest Fire-Threat Areas JUL 27, 2021 Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) recently announced a major initiative to expand the undergrounding of electric distribution power lines in High Fire-Threat Districts (HFTD) to further harden its system and help prevent…
Duke Energy, hedge fund continue battle
Duke Energy, hedge fund continue battle July 19, 2021 Duke Energy and a hedge fund continued a public battle Monday about the financial performance of the utility, including the operations of Duke Energy Florida. The West Palm Beach-based Elliott Investment Management L.P. sent an 11-page letter to the Duke Board…
Growing Oregon Wildfire Threatens California Transmission Lines, State Issues Grid Warning
Growing Oregon Wildfire Threatens California Transmission Lines, State Issues Grid Warning July 10, 2021 Southern Oregon’s Bootleg Fire has grown to more than 143,000 acres as of Sunday morning, doubling in size from Saturday, when California energy officials warned it was encroaching on power transmission lines to the state. Read…
PG&E wants to propose an 18% rate hike during a heat wave. Here’s why
PG&E wants to propose an 18% rate hike during a heat wave. Here’s why Jul 9, 2021 PG&E is asking the state to raise rates by 18%. The utility presented a proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission saying the money is needed for critical investments- specifically, on work to…
Energy chief cites risk of cyberattacks crippling power grid
Energy chief cites risk of cyberattacks crippling power grid June 6, 2021 Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Sunday called for more public-private cooperation on cyber defenses and said U.S. adversaries already are capable of using cyber intrusions to shut down the U.S. power grid. Read more
LiveEO Performs Satellite-Based Vegetation Risk Analysis of Entire U.S. Electric Transmission Grid
T&D World, FEB 08, 2021 For the first time in history, vegetation encroachment risk to the entire publicly available U.S. transmission grid has been analyzed from space by the Berlin-based start-up LiveEO. The analysis covers the detection of vegetation along the transmission grid, as well as the identification of grid segments…
USDA Forest Service Proposes Changes to Prevent Wildfire and Protect the Grid
DEC 20, 2020 The Forest Service is seeking public input on directives to reduce fire risk in grasslands and national forests. Read more
Calif. community power providers aim to add 30 MW of battery storage after blackouts
Energize Weekly, November 13, 2019 Local power providers in the San Francisco Bay area are looking to install 30 megawatts (MW) of residential and commercial battery storage in the wake of the widespread power outages made by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). The three community choice aggregators (CCA), local organizations…
