Declining costs and new market rules are opening opportunities for energy storage, but the technology’s operating characteristics are challenging RTOs.

ERCOT CEO Bill Magness told the Board of Directors the grid operator will use favorable budget variances to fund the addition of real-time co-optimization.

American Electric Power will buy Sempra Energy’s renewable business in a $1.1 billion deal that will triple AEP’s renewable portfolio.

The PUCT issued preliminary certificates of convenience and necessity for transmission that will integrate some of LP&L’s SPP load into the ERCOT system.

FERC conditionally approved South Central MCN’s proposed revisions to its transmission formula rate and protocols and granted a rehearing request that set a Section 206 proceeding.

MISO and SPP told stakeholders that there is “more support than not” for the RTOs to conduct a joint study of interregional transmission projects in 2019.

SPP continued its effort to modernize its cost-recovery processes last week, agreeing to replace its broad single rate schedule with four targeted ones.

An SPP group has been unable to reach a consensus on possible revisions to cost-allocation rules for wind-rich areas and may table their year-long review.

American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP) reported strong 4th quarter and year-end earnings in line with analysts’ expectations and expect it to continue in 2019.

State regulators in MISO and SPP are making progress on the seams issues that continue to vex the RTOs, but much work remains, stakeholders learned.