Grid Communications
Future of Utility Communications
Unlocking Energy Potential: The DOE Transmission Planning Study and High Opportunity Interregional Interfaces
Grid Communications

Tracking Smart City Trends
Already, smart city technologies are strong in Europe and the Middle East. Now, cities all over North America are joining the smart cities movement as well. Once the journey begins, a city quickly realizes that it cannot become smart and sustainable without the help of its electric power utility. Like it or not, investor-owned utilities are being pulled into the smart city conversation.
I predict many utilities will learn to appreciate the smart cities...
Related Articles

Unlocking Energy Potential: The DOE Transmission Planning Study and High Opportunity Interregional Interfaces
In an era marked by the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has embarked on a transformative initiative to enhance interregional transmission planning. The latest findings from the DOE’s transmission planning study have identified several...

Cyber Resilience Begins With Network Vigilance
The idea of a cyberattack on the power grid may invoke images of flickering lights and a race against the clock to block an intrusion – but, often the most serious threats aren’t that obvious or dramatic.Cyber threats that target critical infrastructure facilities like the power grid...

Itron to Buy Silver Springs to Boost Smart Grid Presence
Itron Inc, which makes technology to monitor energy and water usage, said it would buy Silver Spring Networks Inc., in a deal valued at about $830 million, to expand its presence in the smart city and smart grid markets. Silver Spring’s network equipment and services help transform power...

Key Utility Conferences to Watch in 2025
As the utility sector continues to evolve amidst technological advancements and regulatory changes, industry conferences offer invaluable opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and innovation. In 2025, several pivotal conferences will shape the future of utilities, addressing critical...

DOE Prioritizes Baseload Generation
In a strategic move to tackle the growing electricity demand and bolster energy security, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), under Secretary Chris Wright, has announced plans to focus on expanding baseload and dispatchable power generation. This shift in priorities, outlined on January 5, 2025,...

FERC Complaint Targets Duke, PJM Transmission Planning
A coalition of large energy consumers and ratepayer advocates has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), urging the agency to prohibit transmission owners from independently planning "local" transmission projects exceeding 100 kilovolts (kV). The coalition argues...

Smart Grid: Shaping the Future of Energy
The shift from traditional electrical grids to smart grids marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of energy distribution and management. Smart grids leverage cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced automation to transform how...

FERC Rejects PJM Transmission Planning Change
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has rejected a proposal from PJM Interconnection, one of the United States' largest regional transmission organizations, to alter its transmission planning protocol. The decision represents a significant victory for state regulators who had expressed...

Texas CEO Calls for Redesign of the Grid
As Texas continues to experience rapid population growth and surging electricity demand, there is increasing pressure on the state's electrical grid to meet the needs of its residents. According to Texas energy leader, Dan Woodfin, the state's grid needs a fundamental redesign to address the...

FERC Approves Interconnection for Talen Energy, Amazon Data Center
In a significant move that underscores the growing demand for reliable and sustainable energy to power the expanding digital infrastructure, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved an interconnection agreement between Talen Energy, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Exelon. This...