Canadian Solar opened the new Canadian Solar Microgrid Testing Centre to focus on microgrid solution testing, system solution design and smart grid assessment services. The Canadian Solar Microgrid Testing Centre, partially funded by the Ontario Ministry of Energy, will be located in Guelph, Ontario and will work with its collaborators to provide shareable services for utilities, universities and colleges, communities, and companies that engage in the development of microgrid solutions.

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) broke ground on a regional operations center in Little Rock, Ark. This action marks the next phase of the integration of the four-state electric grid spanning the southern region into MISO. Similar to the company's North Region Operations Center, the facility in Little Rock will serve as the command center for MISO's newly established South Region. MISO expects to spend $22 million on its new facility in West Little Rock. The building is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2014.

NRG Energy entered into agreements with Dominion Resources to acquire its retail electric business. Once completed, the acquisition will support NRG's ongoing efforts to expand the company's retail footprint in the Northeast and to grow its retail position in Texas.The transaction closed at the end of March.

DTE Energy Services (DTEES) finished its construction project to convert a shuttered coal-fired power plant at the Port of Stockton to operate on biomass fuel. The plant, known as Stockton Biomass, began commercial operations on Feb. 21. It is selling its renewable power to PG&E. The plant will use about 320,000 tons of woody biomass fuel annually to generate about 45 MW of power. The fuel primarily is derived from urban wood waste, tree trimmings and agricultural processes.

Survalent Technology commissioned an advanced distribution management system (ADMS) for Lakeland Power Distribution. The new system features Survalent's open-architecture system based on Windows Server. It includes Survalent's open system applications, including: SmartVU, SCADA explorer, event data recording, IED wizard & control panel, SCADA add-in, remote alarm annunciation, DNP 3.0 scan task, connectivity import interface, AMI interface and ICCP master to master protocol.

Fleming-Mason Energy (FME) selected Tantalus for the design and implementation of an AMI communications network in northeastern Kentucky. FME will also leverage TUNet - the Tantalus Utility Network - to support a wide range of integrated applications. FME is utilizing TUNet's hybrid RF mesh architecture which leverages an ultra-long range 220 MHz WAN backhaul in combination with a terrain hugging 900 MHz LAN. FME is also leveraging the use of remote disconnect/reconnect meters to assist in streamlining collections and improving customer service.