As utilities and regulators face unprecedented growth in power demand, figuring out how to plan and finance distribution systems has become a fast-moving target, according to speakers at the GridWise Alliance gridCONNEXT conference.

After years of low load growth, U.S. grid planners now predict a sharp increase in electric demand, according to a report by consulting firm Grid Strategies.

PJM’s MIC heard updates on capacity market proposals pending before FERC and began a review of how energy efficiency resources participate in the market.

PJM reviewed changes in preparation for the winter season and urged generators to participate in Systems Operations Subcommittee calls ahead of storms.

PJM’s preliminary load forecast for 2024 sees higher growth for both summer and winter, driven by EVs, data centers and state incentivizes for heat pumps.  

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to take up an appeal of a lower court’s ruling that a Texas law giving incumbent transmission companies the first right of refusal to build new transmission lines was unconstitutional.

After four rounds of voting, the New York State Reliability Council Executive Committee approved a 22% IRM for 2024/25, up from 20% for the previous year.

Feeling in the holiday mood, columnist Steve Huntoon points to data that show some things are getting better in the world.

SPP stakeholder satisfaction remained high this year, staff said during their annual review of organization metrics and feedback.

FERC Commissioner Allison Clements said addressing transmission planning issues will be a key component of cutting down interconnection backlogs.