Energy Digest

FirstEnergy is undertaking a significant upgrade of its power grid in Lehigh and Berks Counties, Pennsylvania, with the goal of improving reliability through a 15-mile transmission line rebuild and substation upgrades. This effort aims to enhance the stability and efficiency of the region's electrical infrastructure. The project is part of FirstEnergy's broader efforts to modernize its transmission system.

The Westlands Water District in California has decided to repurpose land that can no longer be used for agricultural irrigation, instead planning to build solar power plants with a potential capacity of 21 gigawatts. This decision aims to promote renewable energy production and reduce the district's reliance on fossil fuels. The project's implementation is seen as a significant step towards reducing California's carbon footprint.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has ordered PJM to clarify its rules for data centers co-located with power plants, citing a lack of clarity in the tariff that could impact reliability and consumer protection. The commission is directing revisions to address concerns about large loads and ensure that data centers are subject to reasonable standards. This move aims to prevent potential reliability issues and mitigate negative impacts on consumers.

GE Vernova is partnering with a consortium to modernize the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link in India, which will enhance the country's power transmission capabilities. The HVDC link consists of two converter stations located at Chandrapur and Ramagundam. This project aims to improve reliability and efficiency in the region.

Michigan regulators have approved power contracts for a DTE data center, requiring the utility to absorb unrecovered costs and prioritize load reductions during emergencies. The decision aims to balance the needs of the data center with those of ratepayers. The conditions set by regulators are intended to provide added protections for consumers.

Avangrid Utilities has announced its preparations for the upcoming winter storm season in the Northeast, focusing on maintaining reliable service, helping customers stay safe, and managing energy costs during severe weather conditions.

Colorado is actively promoting the growth of its heat pump industry, driven by public servants who prioritize energy affordability alongside job creation, health, and safety. This move is part of a broader trend in US states that are taking proactive steps towards climate action. The state's focus on heat pumps suggests a commitment to transitioning towards cleaner energy sources.

The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a stipulated agreement for new power generation capacity, primarily aimed at serving large customers such as data centers. The new capacity will help meet the growing demand for electricity in the region. The approval is expected to support the state's energy infrastructure and promote economic growth.

I can provide an analysis of the article, but I must point out that the provided content is a snippet and not a full article. Based on what I can see, here's my attempt at providing a summary and key takeaways: The article appears to be a continuation of a series discussing the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It touches on the polarizing nature of AI and how some people view it as a blessing while others see it as a curse. However, I couldn't gather more information about the specific arguments or points discussed in the article.

Sandvik, a leading provider of mining equipment, is set to deploy ten fully electric battery-swap mining rigs to Eldorado Gold's mine later this year. This move marks a significant step towards decarbonizing the mining industry. The deployment is expected to significantly reduce the mine's environmental footprint.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for BUILD grants, making $1.5 billion available for 2026 projects with grant awards up to $25 million. This funding opportunity presents an array of possibilities for infrastructure and energy-related projects. The announcement follows outlays from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

Saudi Arabia's aviation regulator has opened a pathway for electric air taxis, indicating that the country may be one of the niches where this technology can thrive. The decision suggests that authorities there have considered the potential benefits of electric air taxis, despite concerns about their viability elsewhere. This development highlights the growing interest in sustainable aviation solutions.

Research commissioned by the UK government has found that rooftop solar panels can significantly influence fire behavior, particularly when the height gap between modules and the roof surface falls below critical limits. The study highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to fire safety in rooftop solar installations. The interaction between solar panels and roofing materials can increase the incident heat flux to the roof surface and the rate of fire spread.

The article reports on the impact of Donald Trump's policies on the wind power industry in the United States. As a result of his administration's actions, every onshore wind project within federal purview is delayed, and the US offshore wind pipeline has been severely hindered by a blanket stop-work order. Onshore wind turbines remain an established sector in the US energy market, but their construction pace has slowed due to regulatory changes.

The Trump administration has issued an "emergency" order to force utilities to operate the Craig Unit 1 coal-fired power plant beyond its planned retirement deadline, despite opposition from utilities and state regulators. This move is expected to drive up electricity bills and increase pollution. The decision is seen as a last-ditch attempt to prop up an uneconomic coal plant.

The Electrek Podcast discusses recent news in the sustainable transport and energy sector, including Tesla's Q4 deliveries, BYD securing the title of best-selling electric vehicle (BEV) manufacturer, a sighting of the Cybercab, and other updates.

The Aventon New Year Sale offers discounts of up to $500 off e-bikes, starting from $999. Other deals include the Heybike sale with up to $800 savings, Autel's 50A smart EV chargers at their lowest price, and Jackery's Explorer 600 v2 deals. These promotions are part of Electrek's Green Deals series.

The US Department of Energy has ordered the non-operational Craig Generating Station Unit 1 in Colorado to be repaired and remain available to meet regional power needs for 90 days. The unit was scheduled to retire on December 31, but a valve failure took it offline on December 19. This order prioritizes minimizing electricity costs and blackout risks, as the unit's reliable supply of power is essential to keeping the region's electric grid stable.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is facing new challenges in 2026, including integrating large-scale data centers and industrial facilities into the grid. The grid operator has seen a significant increase in interconnection requests, with over 233 GW added, mostly due to data centers accounting for 77% of that load. ERCOT is also working on improving its reliability standard and addressing issues with the Real-Time Co-Optimization (RTC) system.

The article "Marnie Surfaceblow: Marnie and Maya—She Spies" discusses the vulnerabilities of critical plant control systems in a biomass power plant, where two individuals, Marnie and Maya, become white-hat hackers to demonstrate these weaknesses. The article highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures to prevent both physical and remote attacks on such systems. By exploiting vulnerabilities, Marnie and Maya expose potential entry points for malicious actors.

A power and energy systems article reports that the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission of South Korea has issued an operational license for Saeul Nuclear Power Plant unit 3. This marks a significant milestone in the plant's commissioning process. The news suggests progress in the country's nuclear energy development.

The article discusses the sales performance of XPENG and NIO, two Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers. While both companies experienced growth in 2025, their sales figures were "quite different". The exact details of their performance are not provided in the summary section.

Hyundai and Kia have emerged as leaders in the electric vehicle (EV) market in South Korea, gaining an edge over Chinese brands like BYD following new government support for EVs. The subsidies and additional policies aim to boost the adoption of eco-friendly transportation options. This move is expected to enhance the country's competitive position in the global EV industry.

Two offshore wind developers, Empire Wind and Revolution Wind, are suing the Trump administration after it ordered construction to stop on their projects that were already nearing completion. This move is part of a growing backlash against the administration's handling of offshore wind development. The suits come as the US offshore wind industry faces significant challenges.

Here is the analysis based on the provided information: The article discusses the duality of Artificial Intelligence (AI), highlighting its extraordinary capabilities in medicine, as well as potential dangers that require further examination. However, no specific details about power and energy systems are mentioned. Unfortunately, there is limited information available to draw a conclusion about the intersection of AI with power and energy systems.

The article discusses the potential fate of FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) in light of the Supreme Court's review of Humphrey's Executor v. United States, a case that could potentially allow the president to unilaterally fire officials from federal agencies. The author argues that this theory has no basis in law and predicts that FERC will survive as the court is unlikely to overturn 90 years of precedent. The article also touches on the broader implications of the unitary executive theory for the separation of powers.

The US market is expected to reach a cumulative solar capacity of 737.8 GW by 2035, according to GlobalData's analysis. The annual deployment rate is projected to slow down in the early 2020s before increasing again in the early 2030s. By 2035, the total renewables capacity in the US is expected to reach over 1.06 TW.

Elon Musk claims that the Tesla Model Y is the best-selling car in the world, but there are doubts about this assertion based on available data. The claim has sparked skepticism among experts and critics. However, no concrete evidence or sales figures are mentioned to support Musk's statement.

**SUMMARY** The Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM) is set to remain a focus for the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) in 2026, with preparations continuing to ensure its timely launch in May of that year. The market's design has been criticized by Powerex, which claims it contains a "design flaw" that could result in unjustifiable charges for non-CAISO participants. CAISO is working to address these concerns and allocate congestion revenues in an expedited manner. **KEY TAKEAWAYS** * CAISO is prioritizing the implementation of EDAM, with preparations continuing into 2026 despite criticisms from Powerex about its design. * The market's treatment of firm transmission rights and congestion could leave non-CAISO participants exposed to unjustifiable charges, according to Powerex. * CAISO is working to address these concerns and allocate congestion revenues in an expedited manner as part of its efforts to ensure the market's launch in May 2026.