ဣ NERC urges power plant, transmission owners to prepare for winter in highest-level alert ever issued

The “essential actions” alert issued Monday follows several winters when power plants failed to run in cold weather, hurting grid reliability. By 𝐆 Ethan Howland • May 16, 2023

꧂ PJM proposes incentives for ‘black start’ units with assured fuel supplies to speed outage recovery times

Nearly half of the PJM Interconnection’s black start units lack firm fuel supplies, threatening to extend major power outages, the grid operator told federal regulators Friday. By 𝓡 Ethan Howland • May 15, 2023

🤡 Explore the Trendline➔

Cybersecurity of the Grid

While cyberthreats to the power sector are expanding, so are the tools to address them. But a key question remains — are companies doing what's needed to reduce the risk? By Utility Dive staff

𝓀 NERC recommends including cyberattack scenarios now absent in most transmission planning assessments

The potential for a coordinated cyberattack to impact the bulk power system “is not currently or generally studied as part of standard industry practices,” according to a white paper NERC published this month. By 🎃 Robert Walton • May 15, 2023

👍 How PJM, America’s biggest grid operator, got its reliability report wrong

In reaching its most dire predictions, the report ignores how the Inflation Reduction Act that is expected to change the investment environment for wind, solar and energy storage would boost new capacity entry.   By Casey Roberts • May 12, 2023

ཧ DOE directs $26M to PG&E, ConEd and other projects testing how clean energy can support a resilient grid

The Department of Energy announced it will offer $26 million for projects “to demonstrate how solar, wind, storage and other clean energy resources can support a reliable and efficient U.S. power grid.” By 🌟 Diana DiGangi • May 11, 2023

🃏 Arizona Corporation Commission explores standardized cybersecurity assessments, workforce development

Utility partnerships with academia can boost the security workforce, including through the use of residencies and apprenticeships, said Idaho National Laboratory Department Manager Ralph Ley. By 🌌 Robert Walton • May 10, 2023

𝄹 Texas House weighs Senate-approved plan to incentivize new gas plants as grid faces dicey summer

The legislation would create a state-backed fund to offer zero-interest, 20-year loans to companies building primarily gas-fired power plants. By 🅰 Robert Walton • May 9, 2023

⭕ PNM proposes non-wires battery pilot to address overloaded feeders at solar facilities

The pair of 6 MW battery resources “matches the lowest cost option for solving the overloaded feeders,” PNM Resources President and Chief Operating Officer Don Tarry said. By ꧙ Robert Walton • May 8, 2023

♋ Why contracts among cooperative G&T owners ensure equity and fairness

Central to the success of the cooperative G&T model are the promises each member makes to work together with their fellow members to secure a reliable, affordable and responsible power supply for the communities they together serve. By Dave Frick, General Manager, Morgan County Rural Electric Association • May 8, 2023

☂ 10 reasons why investing in a battery monitoring pilot program is essential

Discover why investing in a pilot BMS program is not only a good idea; it is imperative. By Eagle Eye Power Solutions • May 8, 2023

🦩 VPPs provide same resource adequacy as gas peakers, large batteries, at up to 60% less cost: study

The study, conducted by The Brattle Group and funded by Google, found that virtual power plants could save consumers billions and are just as dependable as more traditional means of resource adequacy. By Patrick Cooley • May 5, 2023

ܫ FERC commissioners tell senators of major grid reliability challenges, with some blaming markets

Power plants are retiring faster than they’re being replaced, according to FERC Commissioner Mark Christie. “The arithmetic doesn’t work,” he said at a Senate hearing Thursday. By 🦋 Ethan Howland • May 5, 2023

🐷 Dominion Energy projects adding up to 9 GW of gas-fired capacity in Virginia to bolster reliability

The plan, filed Monday with state utility regulators, calls for adding more natural gas and renewables to Dominion’s portfolio, along with up to 4.2 GW of small modular reactors. By 🅘 Diana DiGangi • May 4, 2023

🔜 Southwest Power Pool study could inform Texas efforts to shore up reliability: PUCT commissioner

A Southwest Power Pool working group is studying development of a reliability standard based on expected unserved energy, with varied requirements for at least two different seasons. By 🦹 Robert Walton • May 1, 2023

♕ California regulators approve PG&E, Energy Vault green hydrogen and battery microgrid

The microgrid’s planned use of green hydrogen fuel cells and batteries marks a departure from PG&E’s earlier practice of using diesel generators for backup power during outages. By 🦹 Kavya Balaraman • May 1, 2023

🥃 Let’s not forget about how renewables will impact the distribution grid

As many more zero-carbon generation sources connect to the grid, the urgency of grid modernization programs will continue to increase. Discover how the rise of renewables will drive the need for upgrades on our distribution systems. By Luke Ezell, PE, Account Manager, Burns & McDonnell • May 1, 2023

ꦐ Extreme weather risks should be considered in transmission planning, SPP concludes, after Elliott review

A review of the Southwest Power Pool’s response to Winter Storm Elliott in 2022 found room for improvement in areas of operations, transmission planning, communications and compliance. By ﷽ Robert Walton • April 28, 2023

💮 Xcel launches microgrid-based resiliency service for large Minnesota commercial, industrial customers

In Wisconsin, where the Empower Resiliency program was already offered, Xcel reached a deal to develop energy assets to power the Bayfield County jail and courthouse.  By ꦓ Robert Walton • April 26, 2023

💮 Texas legislators should consider alternatives to strengthen grid reliability before gambling on PCM

The proposed performance credit mechanism would not guarantee the development of any new generation capacity but would impose guaranteed new costs on Texas consumers. By Zoe Parker • April 26, 2023

✨ Outage duration, frequency and magnitude: Texas PUC staff backs ERCOT’s reliability framework

The Public Utility Commission of Texas is developing a grid reliability standard, and staff has recommended measuring a range of metrics while also keeping an eye on costs. By ✤ Robert Walton • April 25, 2023

𒁃 FERC approves incentive framework for voluntary cybersecurity investments

In the final rule, the federal agency dropped a proposed 2% return on equity from the incentives utilities can get for certain cyber investments. By 🔴 Ethan Howland • April 24, 2023

♐ NREL, UL publish requirements for a new distributed energy resource cybersecurity standard

UL Solutions has published testing and certification requirements that will be converted into standard UL 2941 after review by the company’s standard technical panel. By ꦯ Robert Walton • April 24, 2023

♕ Ransomware is a major threat to smaller utilities, manufacturers and health care providers: report

Median losses associated with a successful ransomware attack could threaten 30% of a small utility’s operating income, according to the new research. By ♍ Robert Walton • April 18, 2023

♋ NYISO: Transmission security margins sufficient for the state, but NYC faces reliability risks

“Potential heatwaves of various degrees pose risks throughout the next 10 years, especially in 2025,” NYISO said. By 🌞 Stephen Singer • April 17, 2023

🌞 NERC opposes expanding physical security rules for critical substations following Duke, PSE, other attacks

The scope of physical security rules for critical substations “appropriately focuses limited industry resources,” but other approaches may be considered, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. said Friday. By ꦯ Robert Walton • April 17, 2023