T&D
PG&E sees rising interest in ‘customer-driven’ flexible interconnection pilot
Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) "Flex Connect" flexible interconnection pilot program has been running for two years, with participating customers able to access the capacity they need 90% of the time, and operational load impacted less than 1% of the time. The program originated from customer feedback rather than regulatory requirements and is now being formalized in collaboration with the California Public Utilities Commission. The current five active customers and approximately 85 potential customers are mostly electric vehicle charging companies, with program sizes typically ranging from 2 to 5 megawatts.
Ohio ratepayer advocate urges FERC to resolve 3-year-old local transmission complaint
The Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) on Thursday urged FERC to act on its complaint filed in September 2023, which alleges that American Electric Power (AEP), FirstEnergy, AES, and Duke Energy lack regulatory oversight for local transmission projects in Ohio. The OCC stated that while the complaint has been pending, investments in related projects under the PJM regional transmission expansion plan have exceeded $4.3 billion.
US-Canada Trade Friction Escalates, Electricity Imports and Prices Under Pressure
The US-Canada trade war has escalated again, with the electricity industry facing the risk of being drawn in. Canada is expected to announce retaliatory tariffs on US goods, and Ontario's premier has indicated that cutting off electricity exports is not ruled out. Grid operators say the impact of reduced imports will be primarily financial, namely pushing up wholesale prices and potentially increasing emissions.
Microsoft and PowerHouse Hillwood Dispute Data Center Service Agreement
Microsoft and PowerHouse Hillwood have disputes over service agreements for data center projects in Wisconsin and Illinois, respectively, involving key issues such as cost allocation, early termination fees, and monopolistic practices. Relevant documents have been submitted to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
FERC approves SPP 'topology optimization' plan to ease grid congestion
FERC on Wednesday approved SPP's plan to allow market participants and the grid operator to propose topology reconfigurations—opening or closing circuit breakers to reroute power—as a lower-cost alternative to redispatching plants. SPP estimates potential savings of $18M–$44M annually based on a study with NewGrid and Brattle Group. MISO's similar program has saved $95M so far this year. FERC commissioners urged broader adoption of such technologies.
CPUC Staff Question the Reasonableness of CAISO's Load Balancing EDAM Calculation Method
In comments submitted on August 12, CPUC staff questioned the load adjustments made by CAISO on June 11 and August 4 (592.50 MW and 3,590 MW, respectively), stating that the calculation method was unclear. Additionally, California's 'Six Cities' and Powerex also submitted comments on EDAM's benefit allocation and congestion revenue reporting, respectively.
U.S. Department of Energy Cancels Three National Transmission Corridors, Calling Them Part of the 'Green New Scam' Agenda
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a statement on Wednesday announcing that it will no longer proceed with the designation of three proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETC) selected for review by the Biden administration in 2024, calling these corridors a 'means' to advance the previous administration's 'Green New Scam agenda.' Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that transmission policy must serve the American people rather than special interests or climate alarm agendas. The canceled corridors include the Lake Erie-Canada Corridor, the Southwest Grid Connection Corridor, and the Tribal Energy Access Corridor. This move has been praised by organizations such as R-CALF USA but criticized by the Environmental Defense Fund and the Clean Air Task Force.
When Capital Plans Surpass Engineering Capacity: A Call for Connected Workflows
As investor-owned utilities plan $1.4 trillion in capital projects over five years, engineering capacity lags. Disconnected CAD, GIS, and BOM systems cause rework and delays. SBS, an Enverus company, offers connected design automation that enforces standards, documents compliance, and delivers 75-80% labor savings, enabling utilities to expand programs without adding headcount.
OATI：纯软件方案有望释放至多20%的输电容量
美国约95%的批发电量交易经由OATI系统完成。该公司已申请联邦资金，推进其PowerNow计划，宣称可在不新建基础设施的前提下，释放10%至20%的输电容量。
As EV Load Grows, U.S. Utilities Leverage Managed Charging to Unlock Flexibility and Cut Costs
The 7.2 million electric vehicles in the U.S. both increase grid upgrade demands and provide utilities with tools to defer expenditures. Utilities are partnering with third-party software vendors and automakers to expand managed charging programs, dispersing charging loads and avoiding local peaks, thereby postponing infrastructure investments that would raise electricity rates. Automakers such as GM, Ford, and Rivian, along with service providers like EnergyHub, WeaveGrid, and Chargescape, are improving user experiences. Despite federal policy shifts in 2025, EV sales remain stable, with pure electric vehicles holding about a 5.2% share in March. Active managed charging (V1G) is seen as key to cost control, but data-sharing standardization remains an industry challenge.