Grid Modernization
Integrating Renewables
The End of the Road for Transmission Incentives
Grid Modernization

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, highlights a commitment to ensuring a stable, affordable energy system while addressing challenges posed by both the expanding energy load and evolving policy landscapes.
One of the key points emphasized...
Related Articles

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,...

Distributed Energy Poised for ‘Explosive Growth’ on the US Grid
Distributed energy resources are poised for “explosive growth” across the United States over the next five years. U.S. utilities “need to change, and are slowly changing,” how they plan, operate and maintain their distribution grids to adapt.That’s how Ben Kellison,...

Estimating Transmission Costs for New Generation Technologies
Often when project developers talk about the cost of a new power plant, wind farm, or solar installation, they’re referring to the capital cost of building a facility. Certainly those development costs have dropped over time—especially for wind and solar. But developers overlook the...

U.S. Electric Grid Under Cyberattack
Taking a stand against threats to ensure reliability BY JOHN FINNIGAN, Environmental Defense Fund If Ben Franklin lived today, he might say that nothing is certain but death, taxes, and cyberattacks. The U.S. electric grid is under constant cyberattack, according to a survey of electric utilities...

Alliant Energy Launches Iowa's Largest Solar Facility
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...

Bills Threaten Renewable Growth and Raise Costs
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 Adds 300 MW with Four New Solar Projects
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...

FERC Reviews PJM Colocation Rules for Data Centers and Large Energy Loads
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...

FERC Delay Threatens 3 GW in ISO-NE Auction
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) failure to act on ISO New England's (ISO-NE) proposed interconnection reforms is raising alarms, as it could prevent up to 3 gigawatts (GW) of new resources from participating in the region's upcoming capacity auction. The delay, if unresolved,...

LUMA to Add 1 GW Renewables and 700 MW Storage
Puerto Rico's electric utility, LUMA Energy, recently revealed plans to integrate nearly 1 GW of renewable energy and over 700 MW of energy storage into the island’s power grid. This initiative is part of a broader effort to move away from fossil fuels and to enhance the resilience and...