North America News

Latest news and developments from North America region

• CAISO to explore market reforms for grid-scale storage growth

  April 30, 2021
  The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) on April 28, 2021 launched an initiative to explore market reforms in anticipation of a surge of grid-scale energy storage on its system in the next few years.

• Biden Administration commences 100-day plan to support cybersecurity of electric grid

  April 29, 2021
  The Biden Administration has recently kick-started a 100-day plan aimed at protecting the electric grid against cyber-attacks.

• US announces funding of USD8 billion for power grid improvement [free access]

  April 28, 2021
  The Biden Administration has recently announced that USD8.25 billion in funding will be provided to modernise the nation’s grid, owing to its ambitious clean energy and climate targets.

• FirstEnergy’s ATSI seeks Ohio regulatory approval for 138 kV project

  April 27, 2021
  FirstEnergy’s American Transmission Systems, Inc., (ATSI) recently filed an application for a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need (CECPN) for the USD23 million, 138 kV Lincoln Park–Riverbend Transmission Line Project, with the Ohio Power Siting Board.

• Canadian IESO invests in energy projects that increase indigenous participation in Ontario

  April 27, 2021
  The Canadian grid operator Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has announced USD7.1 million in funding to projects, that would increase indigenous participation in Ontario’s energy sector.

• NextEra plans to purchase more US power lines; invest in clean energy

  April 23, 2021
  NextEra Energy Transmission (NEET), LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc., plans to purchase more power lines in the US, to tap into the rising demand for renewable energy.

• New York regulators approve Con Edison’s proposed USD800 million power projects

  April 22, 2021
  The New York State utility regulators recently approved Con Edison’s—an investor-owned utility (IOU)—request to recover costs for three transmission projects worth USD800 million, in its New York service area.

• PJM solicits transmission resources to connect New Jersey offshore wind

  April 22, 2021
  PJM Interconnection (PJM) has opened a competitive solicitation process for electric transmission infrastructure supporting the development of offshore wind resources, to supply New Jersey.

• Canadian Hydro Québec approves Appalaches–Maine Interconnection

  April 22, 2021
  Canadian Hydro Québec has recently approved the Appalaches–Maine Interconnection Line Project.

• Canadian Hydro Québec’s subsidiary to deploy 20 MWh BESS during power line work

  April 21, 2021
  Canadian Hydro-Québec’s subsidiary—EVLO Energy Storage Inc. (launched in December 2020)—that designs, sells, and operates safe, efficient and sustainable energy storage systems, recently announced that it will deploy a 4 MW/20 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) on the Hydro-Québec grid, based on the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology.

• FERC confirms New York Transmission Owners’ Right of First Refusal [free access]

  April 20, 2021
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently confirmed that the New York Transmission Owners (NYTOs) have a federal right of first refusal (ROFR) under the Independent System Operator’s (ISO) tariff and FERC’s Order 1000, to build and recover the costs of upgrades to their transmission facilities, even if the upgrades are part of another developer’s project selected by the ISO for cost allocation.

• AEP set to restart plan to upgrade power line in Henry County

  April 16, 2021
  Appalachian Power—a unit of American Electric Power (AEP)—is planning to restart a project to upgrade the 15-mile (24-km) Fieldale–Ridgeway power transmission line in Henry County, Georgia.

• CIB and ITC Investment Holdings sign agreement for Canada–US connection

  April 15, 2021
  The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and ITC Investment Holdings (ITC) have recently signed an agreement to invest USD1.7 billion in the Lake Erie Connector Project.

• NYPA officials detail work on Northern New York Priority Transmission Project

  April 15, 2021
  The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has started detailing work on the Northern New York Priority Transmission Project.

• Canadian SaskPower to spend CAD272 million to renew aging grid infrastructure

  April 15, 2021
  Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SaskPower)—an electric utility in Saskatchewan, Canada—plans to spend a record CAD272 million on upgrading its infrastructure in fiscal year 2021-22, in a bid to prevent power outages occurring in the Saskatchewan province since the last few years.

• FERC proposes reforms to Electric Transmission Incentives Policy

  April 14, 2021
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proposes to modify its March 2020 plan to revise its electric transmission incentives policy meant to stimulate infrastructure development to support the US electric grid.

• US Congress introduces Electric Power Infrastructure Improvement Act

  April 13, 2021
  US Congress senators have recently introduced the Electric Power Infrastructure Improvement Act in both chambers of Congress.

• Ormat kickstarts operation of Vallecito BESS storage facility in California

  April 8, 2021
  US-based Ormat Technologies Inc. recently announced the commercial operation of the 10 MW/40 MWh Vallecito battery energy storage system (BESS).

• NYPA approves Northern New York Priority Transmission Project Plan

  April 8, 2021
  The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has recently announced the approval of the Northern New York Priority Transmission Project (NNYPTP) Plan—a major transmission line rebuild, which will harden the resilience of New York's power grid and accelerate movement towards meeting New York State's clean energy goals.

• Wartsila selected by RWE for 80 MWh BESS project

  April 7, 2021
  Finnish energy solutions provider Wärtsilä has bagged a contract to supply a 40 MW/80 MWh DC-coupled solar plus storage system to the Hickory Park Solar project in Georgia, USA, from RWE Renewables.