DOE Signals Microgrid Funding Opportunity for Remote, Underserved Communities
The Department of Energy (DOE) has published a notice of intent (NOI) on a possible upcoming funding opportunity for microgrids for underserved and Indigenous communities in remote and islanded regions of the United States.
FERC, NERC to Investigate Grid Operations During Recent Winter Storm
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, and NERC’s Regional Entities in late December announced that they will open a joint inquiry into the operations of the bulk power system during the extreme winter weather conditions that occurred during Winter Storm Elliott.
California Grid Operator Adopts Policies to Support Grid Reliability
California Independent System Operator governing entities in December adopted policies and tools to support system reliability.
NERC Warns Changing Nature of Grid Could Threaten Long-Term Reliability
To ensure reliability, planners and operators of the electric power system will need to be particularly vigilant about the changing characteristics of the grid, according to the latest Long Term Reliability Assessment from the North American Electric Reliability Corp.
APPA “Beyond Disappointed” Transformer Production Funding not Included in Bill
The American Public Power Association “is beyond disappointed that funding to ramp up production of distribution transformers through the Defense Production Act” has not been included in the Dec. 19, omnibus appropriations bill, Joy Ditto, President and CEO of APPA, said on Dec. 20.
Puerto Rico Substation Modernization Initiative Gets Underway
LUMA Energy recently announced the launch of Puerto Rico’s federally funded Substation Modernization Initiative (SMI) with the modernization and reconstruction of the Manatí Substation in the municipality of Manatí.
Officials with Iowa’s Denison Municipal Utilities Detail Utility’s Response to Transformer Shortages
In a recent interview with Public Power Current, Rory Weis, General Manager of Iowa public power utility Denison Municipal Utilities (DMU), and Electric Manager Mike Wight, detailed how the utility is responding to delays for acquiring transformers due to ongoing supply chain challenges.
Groups Urge DOE to Move Quickly to Alleviate Supply Chain Challenges With Transformers
The Department of Energy (DOE) should use Defense Production Act (DPA) authorities to prioritize distribution transformers, large power transformers, and other critical grid components ahead of other technologies, and it should act quickly to alleviate the most acute supply chain challenge with distribution transformers, the American Public Power Association (APPA), the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), said in joint comments submitted to DOE on Nov. 30.
President Biden Signs Legislation to Avert Railroad Strike
President Biden on Dec. 2 signed into law legislation that will avert a strike by railroad workers. In a recent letter to President Biden, Joy Ditto, President and CEO of the American Public Power Association (APPA), said that a work stoppage would “seriously threaten” the reliability of electric grids in public power communities.
FERC Moves to Address Reliability Issues Tied to Growth of Inverter-Based Resources
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Nov. 17 took a number of actions addressing reliability issues tied to the growth of inverter-based resources (IBRs).