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News and Trends

Latest News From The T&D Industry

The End of the Road for Transmission Incentives

In a significant shift, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has decided to abandon its transmission incentives policy, particularly the construction work in progress (CWIP) incentives. This decision marks a pivotal change in how transmission projects are financed and regulated, potentially impacting stakeholders across the energy sector.

Historically, transmission incentives, including CWIP, were designed to encourage investment in the nation's aging and overburdened transmission infrastructure. By allowing utilities to recover costs during the construction phase,...

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Utility News

Texas PUC Shelves $1B Grid Credit Mechanism

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) has unanimously decided to shelve the proposed $1 billion Performance Credit Mechanism (PCM) for power generators, concluding that it would not deliver the anticipated grid reliability benefits. The PCM was conceived as a means to incentivize power...

T&D Trends


Utility News

BC Hydro Introduces 'Vehicle-to-Grid' Pilot Initiative

BC Hydro has unveiled an innovative pilot project designed to enable electric vehicles (EVs) to contribute electricity back to the power grid, effectively transforming these vehicles into mobile energy storage units. The utility company recently announced the successful trial of the...

Lineman Safety

The Role of Renewable Energy in the Smart Grid: Transforming Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution

The integration of renewable energy sources (RES) into smart grid systems represents a fundamental shift in how energy is generated, managed, and consumed. This transformation is vital for modernizing energy infrastructure, enhancing grid reliability, and fostering sustainability. The shift from a centralized generation model to a decentralized, dynamic, and intelligent smart grid system marks a pivotal moment in the energy sector. By incorporating renewable energy sources and advanced communication technologies, smart grids enable real-time monitoring, adaptive control, and bidirectional power flows, creating a more efficient and resilient energy system.

The Need for a Smart Grid
Traditional power grids are characterized...

Electrical Safety for First Responders

 How Smart Grid technologies can become an electrical hazard to rescue workers

Smart Grid technologies have risen to prominence in North America. Media outlets, industry experts, vendors, and utilities all echo the same positive sentiments regarding a digitized power grid. However, new technologies can also introduce new hazards. Roy Burch, Manager of Loss Prevention and Environmental Compliance, for Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc., a distribution utility for the city of Guelph, Ontario, has actively reached out to first responders in an effort to educate them about the electrical hazards posed by new technologies such as solar panels and electric vehicles.

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Grounding & Protection

Lightning Strikes

In Canada, lightning flashes occur about 2.34 million times a year; with the highest levels of concentration during the summer months. While most lightning on earth is ground-to-cloud,  recent research has identified that the majority of lightning events to tall structures, such as wind...
Safety Technologies

Safe Work Verified Through Data Logging Technology

On Distribution, Transmission or Substation equipment, testing for presence or absence of nominal voltage is mandated specifically by OSHA rule 1910.269(n)(5) which states “Testing. The employer shall ensure that, unless a previously installed ground is present, employees test lines and...
Utility Safety Standards

Safety Reports for Utility Workers

Protecting utility workers with documented reporting BY MIKE DOHERTY, PowerTel Utilities Contractors Limited Within the lineman trade, accountabilities for the documentation of various inspections, job safety analyses (JSAs), audits, safe work practices (SPGs), qualifications, safety meetings,...