Latest Electricity News - Grid Technologies

SF6-Free Switchgear will be deployed by Schneider Electric and Southern California Edison to accelerate substation upgrades, add grid capacity within existing footprints, and replace sulfur hexafluoride with pure air and vacuum in modular, medium-voltage equipment.   Story Summary SCE to deploy SF6-free medium-voltage switchgear Modular, pre-assembled systems speed substation upgrades Capacity expected to double within existing footprints First installs set for 2027 at two California sites Schneider Electric will collaborate with Southern California Edison to deploy SF6-free, modular medium-voltage switchgear at existing substations, targeting faster construction cycles, added grid capacity, and a smaller physical footprint. The initiative aligns with broader…

AI Data Centers Grid Strain is outpacing utility upgrade timelines, pushing fast battery storage, demand flexibility, and FERC-driven interconnection reforms as the pragmatic near-term bridge for hyperscale power needs and grid reliability.   What You Need to Know Hyperscale AI loads outpace grid upgrades; fast storage bridges gaps FERC in June 2026 elevates demand flexibility in planning rules Modeling shows $62M annual savings from flexible DC operations AI data center buildouts are arriving on timelines measured in months, while utility grid reinforcements typically take years. That mismatch is now a defining reliability and procurement challenge for power planners. As hyperscale…

DOE GRIP Program directs billions in competitive grants to smart grid projects that harden infrastructure, add grid capacity, and deploy advanced controls, improving reliability and resilience nationwide amid rising load growth and extreme weather.   What You Need to Know $10.5B program to boost flexibility and resilience Round 2: about $4.2B for 46 projects in 47 states plus DC 105 selected projects total $7.6B across 50 states and DC Smart grid tools include advanced conductors and self-healing devices Over $600M targets hurricane-impacted Southeastern communities The DOE GRIP Program is accelerating grid modernization at national scale by channeling federal investment into…

NERC Level 3 Alert on Data Centers flags grid reliability risks from computational loads, mandating seven actions to manage AI and crypto mining load losses, oscillations, modeling gaps, and commissioning needs in planning and operations.   Essential Takeaways Rare Level 3 alert targets computational loads Seven actions mandated with Aug. 3, 2026 deadline Entities include planners, operators, coordinators Focus on modeling, commissioning, dynamic recording Data center growth drives 24% peak demand outlook The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has issued a rare Level 3 alert focused on data center behavior and other computational loads, elevating the matter to its highest…

A growing number of U.S. states are moving to slow or block new data center construction, as residents and lawmakers raise alarms over electricity demand, water consumption, and rising utility bills. The trend marks a turning point for an industry that has spent the last several years expanding largely unchecked across the country's power grids.   At a Glance AI data centers are driving up electricity and water demand, raising concerns about grid reliability and costs. New York may become the first state to enact a temporary ban on large data centers. Monterey Park, California, is the first U.S. city…

Data-Driven Smart Grids lead utilities to unify AMI, DERs, interoperability, and edge data for grid modernization and resilience as electrification and decarbonization accelerate, says Tantalus Systems CEO Pete Londa at a Grid Transformation Forum.   What You Need to Know CEO urges interoperable, data-centric smart grids Next-gen AMI and edge data seen as critical Use cases span wildfire risk to outage sequencing Five sustainability vectors guide utility strategy Utilities face simultaneous pressure to electrify and decarbonize while hardening distribution systems against extreme weather. At the Grid Transformation Forum, Tantalus Systems CEO Pete Londa argued that the only scalable path through…

Saint John Energy Plug-In Labs launches a governed smart grid sandbox using a digital twin to share near-real-time utility data with researchers and innovators across Canada, advancing grid modernization, demand response, and clean energy solutions.   What You Need to Know Utility opens governed smart grid sandbox Digital twin provides near-real-time and historical data Early users include Concordia and NBCC No PII shared; no access to live systems Saint John Energy has launched Plug-In Labs, a governed smart grid sandbox designed to open near-real-time and historical utility data to outside researchers and innovators through a full digital twin of the…