California Grid Operator to Expand Scope of Demand Response in Wholesale, Energy Imbalance Markets

California Grid Operator to Expand Scope of Demand Response in Wholesale, Energy Imbalance Markets

The California Independent System Operator Corporation proposed enhancements to demand response resources participating in its markets, including new bidding and real-time dispatch options. The proposal also includes an energy storage load-shift product that would allow a resource to be dispatched for both load consumption and curtailment. The changes represent the third phase of the grid…

U.S. Oil and Natural Gas Use to Rise Despite Growth of Renewables: EIA

Hawaiian Utilities Unveil New Grid Planning Approach to Accelerate Progress Towards Clean Energy Future

Hawaiian Electric Company Inc., Hawaii Electric Light Company Inc., and Maui Electric Company Limited filed an integrated grid planning report that takes a new approach to advance the island’s clean energy goals, according to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission’s July 12 press release. The report proposes to combine “historically separate planning processes” for generation, transmission,…

Hawaii Examines Rate Design to Encourage Microgrid Adoption, Advance Clean Energy Policies

Hawaii Examines Rate Design to Encourage Microgrid Adoption, Advance Clean Energy Policies

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission opened a proceeding to establish rules to spur the deployment of microgrids by the state’s main utilities. The initiative responds to passage of legislation that seeks to harness the systems to enhance integration of renewable generation and add resilience to the grid by providing backup generation during emergencies. Hawaii has…

National Grid Unveils 'Power Sector Transformation' Grid Investment Plan, Rate Hikes

National Grid Unveils ‘Power Sector Transformation’ Grid Investment Plan, Rate Hikes

A unit of National Grid plc filed a plan to invest in renewable generation, electric vehicle infrastructure and energy storage, as well as hike rates to cover the cost of the initiatives, as the utility looks to adapt its system to emerging technologies and cut emissions of greenhouse gases. To pay for the program, National…

Duke Slashes North Carolina Grid Modernization Plan by $5.3 Billion Following Environmental Groups' Opposition

Duke Slashes North Carolina Grid Modernization Plan by $5.3 Billion Following Environmental Groups’ Opposition

Duke Energy Carolinas LLC reached an agreement with environmental groups June 1 to cut the price tag of its Power/Forward Carolinas grid modernization plan to $2.5 billion, from $7.8 billion, and scale back the initiative to three years, from a decade. Duke’s updated plan includes voltage optimization, electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and at least 300 megawatts…

PSEG Plans to Invest $17 Billion in New Jersey to Modernize Energy System, Boost Renewables

PSEG Plans to Invest $17 Billion in New Jersey to Modernize Energy System, Boost Renewables

The Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. announced plans on May 31 to invest as much as $17 billion through 2022 in energy grid modernization and clean energy programs in New Jersey. The company plans to spend $2.5 billion to extend its Energy Strong program aimed at improving reliability and resiliency by bolstering electric and gas…