Topic: Electric Power Transmission and Control

Solar storm buffets Earth: How protected is the US power grid?

Peak impact of the solar storm was expected Tuesday. Only a few of the strongest storms have a serious impact, but modern society is more dependent on power grids than ever.

EPA unveils 'historic' air pollution rules. Can power industry cope?

The EPA says its new rules to drastically reduce toxic air pollution will improve national health at a minimal cost. But the power industry says the rules could hurt the economy.

Would EPA air-pollution rules lead to massive blackouts? Feds weigh in.

Energy-industry groups said that new EPA air-pollution rules could threaten the reliability of the American power grid. The Energy Department countered that claim with its own report Thursday.

Could the massive West Coast blackout have been prevented?

Initial reports blame a utility worker doing maintenance near Yuma, Ariz., for triggering the massive blackout that affected residents across a large swath of southern California and Mexico.

Why America's power grid is weathering the heat wave

The heat wave has increased energy demand, but several factors, including energy efficiency, have helped ease the load on the system.

Heat wave: Can the power grid handle it?

With the upper half of the US in the grip of a heat wave, energy usage is hitting records or near-records. But grid operators say they are prepared for the increased demand.

Africa is becoming a test lab for mobile phone development

Lessons in innovation that Vodafone learns from its work in sub-Saharan Africa will be applied to its projects around the world.

New EPA rules will erode power grid reliability, report finds

Energy reserves available to the power grid for peak use could be cut in half, says an industry report, as power plants are retired for noncompliance with stiffer clean-air and clean-water rules.

Will Google wind power project harm wildlife? Depends on location.

Google and other partners have agreed to invest in a wind power project off the mid-Atlantic coast. Environmental groups are urging research on the project's potential impact on wildlife.

What caused deadly San Bruno fire? Investigations underway

As firefighters continued their search through the stricken area for victims, federal investigators indicated that they would be looking at a range of contributing factors – including maintenance records, pressure conditions, and human factors.

Air conditioners whir during heat wave, but power systems hold up

Air conditioners kept pumping out the cool air for the most part on Tuesday. Utilities have reported minor outages during the heat wave, but power systems have largely been able to handle the load.

No more power lines?

Buried super-cooled electrical cables may replace towering transmission lines and carry solar and wind energy efficiently over long distances.

Brazil blackout tests country's readiness for Olympics and World Cup

A Brazil blackout plunged large parts of the country into darkness last night, adding to Brazil's 'to do' list ahead of the World Cup and Olympics.

Why aren't we harnessing waste heat?

America's future wind web?

Wind power could feed 20 percent of the US energy diet. But first, the country needs a new energy network.

Obama's high-wire electric act

Will he take people's land to build a national grid when local networks for energy renewables may do?

Montana’s got wind, needs power lines

But environmentalists worry that an expanded grid will help carry more dirty power.

Want green jobs? Watch California.

Instead of waffling on green energy, the US must offer consistent support.