http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-newsBLOG RSSThu, 25 Sep 2025 22:55:04 GMTThu, 25 Sep 2025 22:55:04 GMThttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/quarterly-sales-of-electric-cars-break-records-in-several-key-markets-amid-energy-crisisDespite a challenging backdrop for the global car market, sales of electric cars surged in the second quarter of this year as the energy crisis sparked by the war in the Middle East brought fuel price volatility back into sharp focus, according to a new IEA report.Electric Car Markets in a Time of Uncertainty – which builds on the extensive analysis in the IEA’s Global EV Outlook 2026 published in May – examines the latest data on car markets through the first half of 2026.The report findsFri, 07 Aug 2026 20:53:53http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/quarterly-sales-of-electric-cars-break-records-in-several-key-markets-amid-energy-crisishttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/epri-launches-effort-to-reduce-risk-in-ai-power-sector-deploymentAs artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from pilot projects to real-world deployment across the energy sector, there is a growing need for trusted, consistent methods to evaluate operational risk. EPRI this week announced SAFERai.power, a collaborative initiative that will equip utilities and technology providers with the tools, evidence, and guardrails needed to scale AI responsibly.Building on work from EPRI's Open Power AI (OPAI) consortium, SAFERai.power addresses the risks AIFri, 07 Aug 2026 20:57:58http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/epri-launches-effort-to-reduce-risk-in-ai-power-sector-deploymenthttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/over-700-new-generation-projects-accepted-into-first-cycle-of-reformed-interconnection-processPJM Interconnection this week announced that 715 new generation projects, capable of generating more than 200 GW of electricity, have qualified to be studied in the first Cycle of PJM’s reformed interconnection process.This marks the first group of proposed generation resources to be processed under a new approach designed to reduce speculative projects, improve predictability and increase the overall pace of interconnection.Projects will be reviewed in the Cycle in what is designed to be aThu, 06 Aug 2026 23:01:22http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/over-700-new-generation-projects-accepted-into-first-cycle-of-reformed-interconnection-processhttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/us-data-center-developers-shift-focus-to-existing-pipelines-as-new-capacity-additions-slow-in-26-q136 GW of new data centre capacity was added to the US pipeline in Q1 2026, down 19% from Q4 2025 additions, as established developers shift attention to their existing project pipelines amid a more challenging development and regulatory environment, according to a new analysis from Wood Mackenzie.Cumulative US disclosed data centre capacity now totals 331 GW, of which approximately 40% is under active development, according to Wood Mackenzie’s US data center pipeline Q2 report."EstablishedThu, 06 Aug 2026 23:05:46http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/us-data-center-developers-shift-focus-to-existing-pipelines-as-new-capacity-additions-slow-in-26-q1http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/western-energy-markets-quarterly-benefits-report-debuts-with-first-extended-day-ahead-market-resultsThe California Independent System Operator (CAISO) recently released its inaugural Western Energy Markets Quarterly Benefits Report, an expanded publication that combines the longstanding Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) quarterly benefits analysis with the first results from the ISO’s Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM). Reflecting the continued evolution of Western markets, the new report captures the value achieved through coordinated real-time and day-ahead market operations, providing aThu, 06 Aug 2026 23:17:09http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/western-energy-markets-quarterly-benefits-report-debuts-with-first-extended-day-ahead-market-resultshttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/as-jet-fuel-supplies-tighten-can-other-fuels-meet-demandBy Anna SquiresTight jet fuel supplies—and a growing demand for jet fuel—are intensifying interest in an aviation fuel mix that extends beyond Jet A and A-1, the most widely used aviation fuels in the world. Now, researchers from the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) have released new research evaluating the potential of five emerging fuels.The flagship report, titled An Overview of Potential Future Aviation Energy Carriers, was funded by the National Aeronautics and SpaceWed, 29 Jul 2026 23:45:23http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/as-jet-fuel-supplies-tighten-can-other-fuels-meet-demandhttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/gov-stein-ag-jackson-will-hold-duke-energy-to-new-federal-data-center-pledgeThis week, Duke Energy joined the federal administration’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, a set of commitments to make sure that data centers and other large energy users “build, bring, or buy the new generation resources and electricity needed to satisfy their energy demands, and pay for all new power delivery infrastructure upgrades to service their data centers.” Duke Energy is North Carolina’s largest investor-owned electric utility, providing power directly or indirectly to most of the state.Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:13:02http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/gov-stein-ag-jackson-will-hold-duke-energy-to-new-federal-data-center-pledgehttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/pjm-capacity-auction-procures-138-318-mw-of-generation-resources-to-address-growing-demandPJM Interconnection this week announced the results of its 2028/2029 Base Residual Auction, which secured 138,318 MW of unforced capacity generation (UCAP) and demand response to meet projected electricity needs for more than 67 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia.Regions under the Fixed Resource Requirement (FRR) acquired an additional 10,864 MW in UCAP, for a total of 149,182 MW in UCAP available to serve forecasted peak electricity demand, plus a reserve margin.Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:26:51http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/pjm-capacity-auction-procures-138-318-mw-of-generation-resources-to-address-growing-demandhttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/nyiso-releases-2025-2044-system-resource-outlookNew York’s evolving power grid will require substantial investment in generation and transmission across a wide range of possible outcomes, with the pace, scale, and composition of that investment shaped by how policy objectives are implemented. The 2025-2044 System Resource Outlook (the Outlook) finds that futures requiring a zero-emissions grid drive materially higher levels of resource development, while futures that allow limited emissions enable a transition with a broader mix ofWed, 29 Jul 2026 23:03:57http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/nyiso-releases-2025-2044-system-resource-outlookhttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/house-committee-on-energy-and-commerce-advances-the-ratepayer-protection-actThis week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced the Ratepayer Protection Act to the full House of Representatives unanimously. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, spoke in support of this legislation, which, if signed into law, would prevent ratepayers from footing the bill for upgrades to any energy generation, transmission, or distribution infrastructure for newly constructed data centers.  “We have met with numerousThu, 23 Jul 2026 22:42:41http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/house-committee-on-energy-and-commerce-advances-the-ratepayer-protection-acthttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/construction-commences-for-three-u-s-solar-pv-projects-backed-by-long-term-ppas-with-metaHeelstone Renewable Energy, a U.S. utility-scale renewable energy platform and a Qualitas Energy company, announced this week that it has commenced construction on three solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Illinois, the United States: the 40 MW Two Blues Solar project in Perry County, the 28 MW Snapdragon Solar project in Perry County, and the 18 MW Pike Solar project in Fayette County, representing a combined installed capacity of 86 MW.All three projects are backed by long-term CorporateThu, 23 Jul 2026 23:10:12http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/construction-commences-for-three-u-s-solar-pv-projects-backed-by-long-term-ppas-with-metahttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/nnsa-selects-amentum-for-ai-data-center-and-energy-project-at-savannah-river-siteThe U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) this week announced the selection of Amentum to enter negotiations for a phased lease to develop an artificial intelligence data center and dedicated on-site energy generation source at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. The selection follows a competitive request for proposals issued by NNSA for the Savannah River Site Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure and Energy Generation Project.This projectThu, 23 Jul 2026 21:57:22http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/nnsa-selects-amentum-for-ai-data-center-and-energy-project-at-savannah-river-sitehttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/new-report-outlines-priorities-for-a-cybersecure-american-made-solar-and-storage-industryThe Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) this week released a new report outlining the industry’s priorities for strengthening cybersecurity while expanding domestic manufacturing of solar and energy storage technology. The report comes as U.S. solar and battery storage manufacturing continues to grow, with U.S. inverter manufacturing nearly tripling since the end of 2024.As cyber threats targeting the energy sector and across the economy continue to evolve, SEIA is working with industryThu, 23 Jul 2026 22:57:38http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/new-report-outlines-priorities-for-a-cybersecure-american-made-solar-and-storage-industryhttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/brookfield-to-acquire-aypa-power-a-north-american-battery-storage-platform-from-blackstoneBrookfield this week announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Aypa Power from funds managed by Blackstone Energy Transition Partners for approximately $7 billion enterprise value at closing, or an equity value of $3 billion. Aypa is the largest standalone battery storage developer in North America, with a highly contracted and diversified portfolio across attractive power markets in the United States and Canada.Under the terms of the agreement, Brookfield will acquire Aypa'sThu, 23 Jul 2026 23:03:59http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/brookfield-to-acquire-aypa-power-a-north-american-battery-storage-platform-from-blackstonehttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/utility-merger-would-require-blackrock-to-be-broken-apart-according-to-ferc-filingBlackRock’s attempt to acquire Indiana-based utility AES would require the financial giant to be broken up into smaller entities, according to a complaint filed today at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by Public Citizen, Private Equity Stakeholder Project, and Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana.In their complaint, the groups argue that if BlackRock’s takeover of AES moved forward, BlackRock affiliates would control 56.625% of AES; affiliates of Swedish private equity firm EQT wouldThu, 23 Jul 2026 22:05:38http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/utility-merger-would-require-blackrock-to-be-broken-apart-according-to-ferc-filinghttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/beyond-the-power-plant-the-hidden-costs-of-gas-fired-generationAs utilities across the country rush to build new gas power plants to meet surging electricity demand from data centers, a new report from Current Energy Group (CEG) and GridLab reveals that the price tags regulators are approving systematically understate what customers will actually pay. “Beyond the Power Plant: The Hidden Costs of Gas-Fired Generation” finds that mandatory gas infrastructure costs for transportation, processing, and storage routinely add 30% or more to the true cost of a newWed, 22 Jul 2026 19:12:21http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/beyond-the-power-plant-the-hidden-costs-of-gas-fired-generationhttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/sen-heinrich-introduces-legislation-and-grid-initiative-aimed-at-delivering-cheap-reliable-powerThis week, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced the Grid Connection and Congestion Management Act, which would require grid operators to establish a fast-track process for connecting new energy projects to the electric grid, reducing delays and easing congestion. "As electricity demand grows, we need to find better, faster ways to add more affordable, reliable power to the grid,”said Heinrich. “Right now, unnecessaryWed, 22 Jul 2026 19:00:44http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/sen-heinrich-introduces-legislation-and-grid-initiative-aimed-at-delivering-cheap-reliable-powerhttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/attorney-general-james-intervenes-to-stop-trump-administration-freeze-on-wind-energy-projectsNew York Attorney General Letitia James this week led a coalition of 18 other attorneys general in moving to intervene in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense and Secretary Pete Hegseth for unlawfully freezing routine reviews of land-based wind energy projects across the country. Federal law requires DoD to review proposed wind projects for potential national security concerns and work with developers to address any issues. However, in August 2025, DoD abruptly stopped movingTue, 21 Jul 2026 22:44:23http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/attorney-general-james-intervenes-to-stop-trump-administration-freeze-on-wind-energy-projectshttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/iurc-announces-action-items-on-energy-affordabilityThe Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) this week announces several action items stemming from its Investigative Inquiry on Energy Affordability held on March 24, 2026, and the 10 listening sessions held around the state in March and April. These action items include formal and informal steps related to the implementation of the energy affordability bill from the 2026 legislative session, House Enrolled Act 1002, and outlining clear expectations for the utilities to improve theirTue, 21 Jul 2026 22:51:08http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/iurc-announces-action-items-on-energy-affordabilityhttp://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/sol-systems-reaches-financial-close-on-123mw-ac-peoria-solar-portfolio-in-illinoisSol Systems, a leading national clean energy developer and independent power producer (IPP), this week announced the financial close of its 123MW-ac Peoria Solar Portfolio in Illinois. The portfolio will now advance into construction in Knox, Tazewell, and Peoria Counties, marking another step in Sol Systems’ growth as an owner and operator of utility-scale clean energy infrastructure. The Peoria Solar Portfolio is expected to generate approximately 280,000MWh of electricity in its first yearTue, 21 Jul 2026 22:39:05http://smartgridobserver.com/industry-news/sol-systems-reaches-financial-close-on-123mw-ac-peoria-solar-portfolio-in-illinois