Distributed Sun’s Post

🌍 Exciting news: the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has just passed transformative new rules aimed at revolutionizing America's electric grids, potentially giving a massive boost to wind and solar power. ⚡⚡ By requiring grid operators to plan 20 years into the future, taking into account renewable energy requirements and extreme weather risks, these changes could pave the way for thousands of miles of new high-voltage power lines. This forward-looking approach aims to reduce electricity costs, minimize blackout risks, and support our transition to renewable energy. #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #FERC #EnergyTransition https://lnkd.in/eQyejhrN

“Today's rule marks a pivotal moment in building a 21st century electric grid. By prioritizing comprehensive, proactive transmission planning, fair cost allocation, and the integration of innovative grid technology, FERC has laid the groundwork for a resilient, affordable, and clean energy future.” Mike Boots, Executive VP of Breakthrough Energy stated in response to FERC’s new grid expansion rule. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) new Grid Expansion Rule marks a significant milestone in ensuring a reliable energy grid for the future. By requiring transmission providers to plan for anticipated needs via long-term planning, broad benefit consideration, and customer-centric cost distribution — this rule paves the way for efficient, effective, and equitable grid expansion. Read more here: https://nt-z.ro/44EdbfQ

New Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rule announcement on transmission and cost allocation addresses "how transmission providers must conduct long-term planning for regional transmission facilities and determine how to pay for them, so needed transmission is built." This rule should help the country to build the power transmission capacity that the energy transition needs. #PowerTransmission #FERC #EnergyTransition #Energy https://lnkd.in/dp78h_mb

Here is the summary of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's new long-term transmission planning order (released today, May 13). The grid rule contains these major elements: 1️⃣ Requirement to conduct and periodically update long-term transmission planning to anticipate future needs. 2️⃣ Requirement to consider a broad set of benefits when planning new facilities. 3️⃣ Requirement to identify opportunities to modify in-kind replacement of existing transmission facilities to increase their transfer capability, known as “right-sizing.” 4️⃣ Customers pay only for projects from which they benefit. 5️⃣ Expands states’ pivotal role throughout the process of planning, selecting, and determining how to pay for transmission facilities. https://lnkd.in/eGDPjK-E

Join us on February 29th at 1pm central to hear from Xcel Energy, National Grid, and AEP discuss the evolution of transmission infrastructure. Jarred Cooley, Director of Strategic Planning, Xcel Energy Terron Hill, Clean Energy Development Director, National Grid Evan Wilcox, Director of Advanced Studies and Modeling, AEP Dylan Lockwood, Sr Editor, Moderator, Zpryme The grid is continuing to change as new demands and technologies enter the industry, and transmission systems need to keep up. Join us for a discussion of transmission experts covering the state of transmission infrastructure, planning, and transformations among utilities. Topics will include: Identifying challenges transmission systems currently face as well as solutions available. Best practices for long-term planning, investment, and overall health of transmission. Examples of projects that are leading the way in transmission modernization. Barrett Clark Megan Fonger Sean Sayers Mark Ishac

Developing transmission is difficult for a variety of reasons. Check out our paper focused on developing electric transmission, which speaks specifically to challenges related to planning, cost allocation, interconnection queues, ratemaking and incentives, and siting and permitting. https://bit.ly/3oXARcp

It has long been clear that more and better coordinated transmission facilities have been needed to connect the rapid growth in renewable projects required to meet the growing clean electricity demand in this country. Today, FERC has issued Order No. 1920 which aims to improve grid efficiency. Included in the guidance are long-term transmission planning requirements, key criteria to evaluate project selection, and cost allocation guidance. https://lnkd.in/e6pUYjzE

Under the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP), TransCanyon’s Cross-Tie 500kV Transmission Line Project has been selected to enter the program’s capacity contract negotiations process. Capacity contracts are one of three methods the DOE offers through the TFP to enhance and expand the country’s transmission infrastructure. Along with the Cross-Tie 500kV Transmission Line Project, the Southline Transmission Project and Twin States Clean Energy Link were chosen in the first round of selections to enter capacity contract negotiations. Via the capacity contracts, the DOE plans to devote up to $1.3 billion towards the development of the following transmission projects, while providing economic benefits to the surrounding communities and providing an additional 3.5 gigawatts of grid capacity. Details about the following transmission projects are available to view via MAPSearch’s ENVision platform. Additionally, the following transmission project updates, along with additional project event updates, are available to read about in MAPSearch’s October Transmission Project Report. Interested in learning more about the report? Contact us at sales@mapsearch.com to learn more! #departmentofenergy #doe #TransmissionProjects #TransmissionInfrastructure #electricpower #electricgrid #MAPSearch #ENvision

Grid Operations: BESS and Synchronous Condensers for Excellent Power System Control BESS - Dynamic Power Control: Manage fluctuating energy demands and enhance frequency control with BESS's rapid response capabilities. Synchronous Condensers - Stability Guardians: Leverage Synchronous Condensers for system inertia, vital for stability, and precise voltage control. Frequency Regulation Boost: Combine BESS for primary frequency control and Synchronous Condensers for secondary control to optimize frequency regulation. Grid Resilience and Swift Recovery: Enhance grid resilience with BESS's black start capability for swift system restarts during disturbances. Adaptive Control Strategies: Implement adaptive control strategies through smart controllers to optimize BESS and Synchronous Condensers in real-time. Reactive Power Optimization: Utilize Synchronous Condensers to optimize reactive power flow, improving voltage stability and grid performance. Grid Security and Contingency Response: Strengthen grid security by proactively responding to contingencies with the integrated capabilities of BESS and Synchronous Condensers. Data-Driven Insights: Harness operational data from BESS and Synchronous Condensers for informed decision-making and grid optimization. In summary, the synergy between BESS and Synchronous Condensers empowers power system operators to navigate dynamic grid challenges, ensuring resilience, stability, and efficiency. #PowerSystemExcellence #BESS #SynchronousCondensers #GridInnovation

The short answer is a lack of proper long-term planning. The bloated interconnection queues may be the most visible issue in transitioning to clean power generation, and FERC Order 2023 represents a promising fix. But will it highlight the silly game of “whack a mole” being played in the way we execute our electric grid planning strategy? What is needed is a holistic approach that maps the key critical path items and systematically addresses them in the proper timeframes. Have FERC Orders 1920, 1977, and 2023 got us closer to that approach? We’ll wrap up how much the needle has been moved in tomorrow’s post.