Alltricity Network eNews

Alltricity Network Member Information

The association's trusted network is accessible on LinkedIn. Working side-by-side in a cooperative manner, Alltricity Network members band together for the common goal of bettering the industry and improving service for utility customers. For more than 120 years, these key principles have proven successful and, more importantly, are tried-and-true methods for building strong business relationships.

Alltricity Network Champions is a prestigious group of Alltricity Network supporters with access to useful and beneficial promotional opportunities. Thank you, 2025 Alltricity Network Champions!

Visit https://www.alltricitynetwork.org/page/champions to view the full article online.

Industry Information

Energy Industry Dealmaking Soared in 2025 on Large Utility, IPP Mergers

The sharp increase was driven more by growth in the scale and value of deals than by the total number of mergers and acquisitions in 2025, the firm said. It tallied 35 deals in 2025 compared to 30 in 2024. “Smaller and mid-tier utilities increasingly sought combinations to strengthen balance sheets and capture scale ahead of rising reliability and electrification needs,” the report said.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/energy-industry-utility-ipp-mergers-pwc/808228/ to view the full article online.

Home Efficiency Upgrades Could Offset Data Center Loads While Creating Jobs: Report

A 200-MW data center could offset 10% of its peak load by investing $50 million in low-cost residential efficiency upgrades, energy policy group AnnDyl said in a preliminary analysis earlier this month.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/home-efficiency-data-center-loads/808572/ to view the full article online.

2026 Energy Predictions: Wave Election, Gas Price Shock, Canada Grid Growth, Next-Gen Geothermal, Drones Take Off

While last year’s energy predictions were largely accurate—electric vehicle batteries dropped below $100 per kilowatt hour, battery energy storage systems surged, and federal permitting was a bipartisan priority—the list of good news on clean energy policy was shorter than hoped.

Visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/energyinnovation/2026/01/04/2026-energy-predictions-wave-election-gas-price-shock-canada-grid-next-gen-geothermal-drones-take-off/?ss=energy to view the full article online.

Feds Demand Compromise on Colorado River While States Flounder Despite Water Shortage

Western states that rely on the Colorado River have less than two months to agree on how to manage the troubled river—and pressure is mounting as the federal government pushes for a compromise and a troubling forecast for the river’s two biggest reservoirs looms.

Visit https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/hydro-power/feds-demand-compromise-on-colorado-river-while-states-flounder-despite-water-shortage/ to view the full article online.

What’s Slowing the Energy Transition? Infrastructure, Not Technology

The problem is urgent now: electricity demand is rising faster than the grid can handle. Artificial intelligence and data centers are driving growth, along with the electrification of industry and transport, all while keeping electricity affordable remains a priority. Without faster permitting, new generation and transmission lines will continue to lag, leaving consumers and clean energy projects in limbo.

Visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2026/01/05/whats-slowing-the-energy-transition-infrastructure-not-technology/?ss=energy to view the full article online.

DOE Orders More Coal Units to Stay Online Under Emergency Authority

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a series of emergency orders in December requiring four coal-fired power plants in the Midwest and Western United States to remain operational beyond their planned retirement dates, citing near-term reliability risks tied to rising electricity demand and accelerated generation retirements.

Visit https://www.power-eng.com/coal/doe-orders-more-coal-units-to-stay-online-under-emergency-authority/ to view the full article online.

EPA Funding Salvaged in U.S. Congress Spending Bill

In a step toward heading off a government shutdown when a temporary funding agreement expires at the end of January, appropriators in both the Senate and House of Representatives released a bipartisan spending package that kept the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency largely intact.

Visit https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/energy-business/policy-and-regulation/epa-funding-salvaged-in-us-congress-spending-bill/ to view the full article online.

ERCOT’s Large Load Queue Jumped Almost 300% Last Year

Data centers are driving a rapid increase in the number and capacity of large load interconnection requests in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas region, according to a report from the grid operator.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ercots-large-load-queue-jumped-almost-300-last-year-official/808820/ to view the full article online.

Member Announcements

Austin Energy Announces Targeted Plan to Build an Even Stronger, Smarter, More Reliable Grid

After more than a year of stakeholder engagement, analyzing costs, and conducting third-party studies on its overhead and underground electrical distribution system, Austin Energy announced its Electric System Resiliency Plan (ESRP) to develop a stronger, smarter, and more reliable electric system for Austin. The ESRP is Austin Energy’s strategy to ensure the grid is more reliable and resilient against extreme weather and other disruptions, can recover quickly from outages, and adapt to future challenges.

Visit https://austinenergy.com/about/news/news-releases/2025/austin-energy-announces-targeted-plan-to-build-an-even-stronger-smarter-more-reliable-grid to view the full article online.

LCRA Awards Almost $1.1 Million in Community Grants

The Lower Colorado River Authority recently awarded $1,096,247 in grants to support community projects across LCRA’s wholesale electric, water, and transmission service areas. “These grants are designed to contribute to the health, safety, and development of communities,” Wilson said. “By supporting community projects such as improved libraries and providing new equipment for first responders, the grants help nonprofit organizations provide better and expanded services across Texas. That is directly in line with LCRA’s goal to improve the lives of the Texans we serve.”

Visit https://www.lcra.org/news/news-releases/lcra-awards-almost-1-1-million-in-community-grants/ to view the full article online.

Basin Electric Partners with Mountrail-Williams to Reduce Transmission Costs

Basin Electric is partnering with its member, Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Williston, North Dakota, to develop transmission lines in three North Dakota locations. “Basin Electric built a transmission line between Judson Substation (near Williston, North Dakota) and Tande Substation (near Tioga, North Dakota) in 2016. For three parts of that line, we worked with Mountrail-Williams to use double-circuit structures, one side of the structure carrying a 115-kV line and the other side carrying a 345-kV line. Near the new Springbrook substation, we also built a section that could support a future double circuit,” Bobby Nasset, supervisor of civil engineering, said.

Visit https://www.basinelectric.com/News-Center/news-briefs/Basin-Electric-partners-with-Mountrail-Williams-to-reduce-transmission-costs to view the full article online.

Outstanding TEP Apprentices Honored by State Organization

Four recipients from TEP were recognized at the 62nd annual David G. Hollis Outstanding Apprentice Awards Ceremony, which celebrates all industry apprenticeship programs throughout the state. Meet these skilled workers recognized for their outstanding commitment to their craft.

Visit https://www.tep.com/news/outstanding-apprentices-honored-by-state-organization/ to view the full article online.

White Paper

Scientists Unlocked a Superconductor Mystery Under Crushing Pressure

Superconductors promise loss-free electricity, but most only work at extreme cold. Hydrogen-rich materials changed that—yet their inner workings remained hidden because they only exist under enormous pressure. Now, researchers have directly measured the superconducting state of hydrogen sulfide using a novel tunneling method, confirming how its electrons pair so efficiently. The discovery brings room-temperature superconductors a step closer to reality.

Visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251219093328.htm to view the full article online.

Critical Minerals are Hiding in Plain Sight in U.S. Mines

Researchers found that U.S. metal mines already contain large amounts of critical minerals that are mostly going unused. Recovering even a small fraction of these byproducts could sharply reduce dependence on imports for materials essential to clean energy and advanced technology. In many cases, the value of these recovered minerals could exceed the value of the mines’ primary products. The findings point to a surprisingly simple way to boost domestic supply without opening new mines.

Visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074503.htm to view the full article online.

This Tiny Chemistry Change Makes Flow Batteries Last Far Longer

A new advance in bromine-based flow batteries could remove one of the biggest obstacles to long-lasting, affordable energy storage. Scientists developed a way to chemically capture corrosive bromine during battery operation, keeping its concentration extremely low while boosting energy density through a two-electron reaction. This approach sharply reduces damage to battery components and allows the use of cheaper materials.

Visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251224015653.htm to view the full article online.

China’s "Artificial Sun" Just Broke a Fusion Limit Scientists Thought was Unbreakable

Researchers using China’s “artificial sun” fusion reactor have broken through a long-standing density barrier in fusion plasma. The experiment confirmed that plasma can remain stable even at extreme densities if its interaction with the reactor walls is carefully controlled. This finding removes a major obstacle that has slowed progress toward fusion ignition. The advance could help future fusion reactors produce more power.

Visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260101160855.htm to view the full article online.

Alltricity Network (formerly known as RMEL)