Calling utilities and regulators to move forward with new ideas
A significant regulatory barrier stands in the way of innovation in Canada’s gas and electric utility sectors. Current regulatory practices were designed for existing and relatively low-risk technologies rather than innovative new technologies and services. A new report entitled “Stimulating Innovation on Behalf of Canada’s Electricity and Natural Gas Consumers”, which was prepared for the Canadian Gas Association (CGA) and the Canadian Electricity Association...
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...
Fitting wireless networks into substation automation applications BY ADAM GUGLIELMO, ABB Tropos Wireless Communication Systems As with all Smart Grid applications, two-way communication is foundational to substation automation. To enable monitoring and control, substation computers, as well as...
Simultaneous charging of just 60,000 next-generation electric vehicles could one day threaten the Texas grid, an analysis has shown. Based on a 100-kilowatt EV battery with a 5-minute charge time, which could potentially be the standard for EVs in three or four years, demand from 60,000 cars...
The Digitisation of utility operations has been evolving at an accelerating pace over the last decade. Many utilities saw this trend developing, and one by one they began their own digital transformation, each on their own path. While each utility is at its own stage of this journey, every utility...
Reliable and secure communication infrastructure is essential to the safe and efficient operation of the modern power grid. As utilities transition to digital substations, integrate distributed energy resources (DERs), and deploy real-time monitoring systems, the need for robust, scalable grid...
The power industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by grid modernization, renewable integration, and increasing demands for resilience and efficiency. At the heart of this evolution lies the smart substation—a next-generation facility equipped with advanced sensors, digital...
Alliant Energy has officially brought Iowa’s largest solar facility online, marking a significant milestone in the state's renewable energy landscape. The 200-megawatt (MW) Pleasant Creek Solar project, located in Linn County, is now operational and supplying clean electricity to Alliant...
Texas is at a pivotal crossroads in its energy policy, with legislative actions that could significantly reshape the state's electricity landscape. A recent report by Aurora Energy Research, commissioned by the Texas Association of Business, warns that proposed restrictions on renewable energy...
Duke Energy Florida has announced plans to build four new utility-scale solar energy facilities across the state, aimed at adding 300 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy to the grid. This expansion is part of the company’s broader strategy to increase its solar generation capacity and...
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has launched a review of the rules surrounding the colocation of large energy consumers, such as data centers, with power plants within the PJM Interconnection region. This review follows concerns raised by stakeholders, including major energy...
