Rapid growth in both new generation and large electricity loads is prompting regulators, utilities, and grid operators to rethink interconnection rules. The focus is shifting beyond queue management toward faster project approvals, better use of available grid capacity, and more efficient use of existing infrastructure.
PJM Interconnection LLC’s capacity market auction for the 2028/2029 delivery year left the grid operator about 6,800 megawatts (MW) short of its reliability requirement, marking the second straight auction with a capacity shortfall. The results reflect continued growth in electricity demand, driven in part by expanding data center development as new generation additions continue to lag demand growth.
PJM Interconnection on July 14 announced the results of its 2028/2029 capacity auction, marking the second consecutive auction in which committed electricity resources fell short of the grid operator’s reliability requirement. The auction secured about 138,300 megawatts of accredited capacity to serve more than 67 million customers across 13 states and the District of Columbia…....
Virtual power plants (VPPs) are evolving from demonstration projects into grid resources as states increasingly recognize the ability of aggregated distributed energy resources (DERs) to support a more flexible and resilient electric grid. Recent legislative measures, regulatory actions, and utility initiatives reflect the role of VPPs in resource planning and grid operations amid growing electricity demand.
PJM Interconnection LLC, which operates the grid across 13 states and the District of Columbia, is pursuing market, planning, and interconnection reforms as rapidly growing demand raises concerns about resource adequacy, infrastructure readiness, and consumer costs. The effort comes amid growing debate over ensuring reliability, attracting new generation investment, and allocating costs as electricity demand accelerates.
ISO New England on June 3 reported that wholesale electricity costs in the six-state region increased sharply in 2025 as higher natural gas prices, carbon pricing programs, and tighter supply conditions pushed electricity market prices higher. The grid operator’s latest Annual Markets Report concluded that wholesale electricity markets remained competitive despite rising costs. Total wholesale…...
Utilities and regulators across the Western U.S. are advancing interconnection reforms, transmission expansion, and wildfire mitigation measures as rapid load growth and climate-related risks place increasing pressure on grid reliability. Recent actions by grid operators, federal regulators, and state policymakers indicate a growing emphasis on modernizing interconnection and transmission planning processes while embedding wildfire resilience into long-term reliability planning.
Rapid growth in electricity demand is reshaping transmission planning across the U.S., prompting new strategies and technology solutions to optimize the capacity and efficiency of existing infrastructure.
Virtual power plant (VPP) initiatives are expanding across U.S. states as customer-owned generation and storage are increasingly viewed as dispatchable grid assets to manage peak demand, support reliability, and meet rising electricity demand.
Southwest Power Pool on April 2 announced the launch of expanded grid operations that extend its service territory into the Western Interconnection, making it the first U.S. grid operator to span two major power systems. The organization’s expanded operations officially began at midnight central time on April 1, following months of coordinated testing, simulation, and…...
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on March 31 accepted the first phase of capacity market reforms proposed by ISO New England, advancing efforts to align the region’s power market design with a rapidly changing resource mix. The decision marks a key milestone in a multi-year stakeholder process aimed at improving reliability outcomes and ensuring consumers…...
Regulators and grid operators across the U.S. are actively reforming interconnection processes to support the growth of new power generation resources amid surging electricity demand from AI data centers, manufacturing, and electrification. These actions also aim to address emerging challenges arising from the rapid growth of new large loads, which can introduce planning uncertainty and require substantial investments in transmission and other grid infrastructure.
