nVent Electrical & Fastening Solutions’ Post

The need for upgrading electric grid infrastructure, both in the U.S. and globally, has become increasingly pressing due to rising power demand from energy-intensive sectors and the shift towards greater electrification. The U.S. Department of Energy's recent program to streamline the permitting and approval of large transmission and distribution (T&D) projects reflects a concerted effort to address this imperative. With a focus on integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid and supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy future, the initiative aims to expedite the authorization of projects within two years, thus eliminating regulatory bottlenecks. Check out this article to learn more about the needs and current initiatives of the US power grid. #Tansmission #distribution #EnergyMix

The need for upgrading electric grid infrastructure, both in the U.S. and globally, has become increasingly pressing due to rising power demand from energy-intensive sectors and the shift towards greater electrification. The U.S. Department of Energy's recent program to streamline the permitting and approval of large transmission and distribution (T&D) projects reflects a concerted effort to address this imperative. With a focus on integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid and supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy future, the initiative aims to expedite the authorization of projects within two years, thus eliminating regulatory bottlenecks. Check out this article to learn more about the needs and current initiatives of the US power grid.

ScottishPower outlines £5.4bn-worth of contract opportunities ScottishPower has unveiled £5.4bn-worth of contract opportunities as it outlines its next phase of electricity network investment. The move is the company’s biggest issued contract opportunity to-date, and will see major investment in green energy infrastructure and green jobs in the coming decades. ScottishPower now has billions of pounds in contracts on offer for the supply chain to support its electricity network ambitions and a net zero future, it said. ScottishPower’s grid business, SP Energy Networks, is now encouraging companies with the skills and experience to bid for contracts to design, develop and upgrade new and existing strategic transmission infrastructure. This will include new high voltage substations, overhead line construction as well as design, engineering, construction, and electrical works. Read the full story on the Transport + Energy website: https://lnkd.in/dsiKGndR ScottishPower , SP Energy Networks , Keith Anderson , Vicky Kelsall #transport #energy #netzero

Cusp of Change: Trends, opportunities and challenges in the sector Power transmission plans Recent policy efforts have been directed to expedite project development and improve transmission system planning. The PM Gati Shakti initiative is expected to streamline project development and reduce time and cost overruns for all infrastructure projects, including transmission, to help address right-of-way iss­ues. Meanwhile, to mobilise invest­me­­nts through the asset monetisation ro­ute, the MoP has recently issued guidelines under the acquire-operate-maintain-transfer public-private partnership model. Further, the notification of the General Network Access Regulations in the past year is expected to improve network planning and the development of new transmission corridors. In order to provide adequate evacuation infrastructure for renewable energy projects, the transmission system is being planned in advance because the gestation period of wind and solar-based generation projects is typically shorter than that of the associated transmission system. The Central Electricity Authority’s plan, titled “Transmission System for the Integration of over 500 GW RE Capacity by 2030”, outlines the transmission system for major renewable energy potential zones. Some parts of the transmission system have been commissioned, and the rest are at various stages of construction, tendering and planning.

Transmission bottlenecks and permitting hurdles hold projects in limbo The world is in the beginning stages of the fourth industrial revolution – energy – but it ain’t going to be easy. After decades of ignoring infrastructure needs and other issues, transmission bottlenecks, permitting hurdles, land constraints, and NIMBY-ism are holding up wind and solar projects in the US and other countries worldwide. In the US, Europe, and other countries, permission to connect to the grid can take five to ten years. In the US, developers are getting creative and hopping from queue to queue, trying to move projects along. The problem is global – in Europe, Africa, North, South and Central America, Japan, and even China, deployment of solar and wind is being held back by an aging utility infrastructure. In November, Australia, with its post-election focus on renewable deployment, announced a major expansion of its grid, primarily to support a rollout of renewable energy. The sad truth is that no country can realize its renewable goals without a significant investment in electricity infrastructure. Shades of the duck curve – new transmission alone will not solve problems created by a lack of grid capability. In the US and elsewhere worldwide, system operators have been warning that a rapid rollout of variable sources of electricity without storage would strain grid capability during peak electricity demand. Ten years ago, many experts considered storage too expensive; now, it’s a recognized necessity for the RE future. Solving the transmission problem and adding storage needs to go hand-in-hand with laws allowing homeowners and small businesses to self-consume during peak hours of electricity demand and providing incentives to offset the cost. Governments worldwide continue setting lofty RE goals without addressing the nitty gritty reality of variable resources, and it just is not working. A future where renewable energy technologies fulfill most (or all) of demand for electricity and heat calls for a complete revamping of utility business models, the energy infrastructure, laws, expectations, and technologies – this is the period of the energy revolution – the fourth industrial revolution – and it’s time for everyone to get on board.

Fulcrum Group delivers return to profitability following major strategic turnaround Fulcrum Group, the leading multi-utility infrastructure and services provider, has reported significant growth and a return to profitability in its latest financial results, as part of its strategy to deliver sustainable, progressive improvements across its divisions. In its latest set of annual results for the financial year ending 31st March 2024, the Sheffield-based group achieved revenue of £53.4m, up from £50.6m in its 2023 financial year, with an operating profit of £522,000. Fulcrum Group’s turnaround has been delivered following a comprehensive strategic review of the organisation and its four divisions during the last 18 months.  This has led to a new Fulcrum Group leadership team, the streamlining of its corporate operations, enhancing the shared services utilised by its divisions, and a sharper focus on its core markets. The group’s High Voltage (HV) connections specialist, Dunamis, is an Independent Connections Provider (ICP), which specialises in HV electricity infrastructure.  Dunamis has delivered exceptional growth in the past 12 months as it strengthens its position in thriving markets that include renewable energy, by connecting large-scale solar farms, battery storage sites and onshore wind projects. The demand for Dunamis’ highly-specialist HV electrical engineering capabilities, coupled with the strengthening of its management team, has enabled the division to leverage a strong pipeline of opportunities. https://lnkd.in/e3EWY8EN

The Average Age of Energy Projects By the end of 2023, more than 11,000 energy projects were in interconnection queues in the United States, waiting for a green-light from regional grid operators to proceed with construction.  #energypolicy #regulations #backlog #interconnectionqueues

The U.S. is in the midst of an energy modernization boom, driven by the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. With $73 billion allocated to improving the power grid, there's a push to replace old infrastructure, expand capacity, and integrate renewable energy. FERC's new order mandates 20-year planning to tackle unprecedented grid demands. Hydropower and renewable projects are leading the way, but we're also facing challenges like transformer shortages and a skilled labor gap. Innovations in formwork and demand flexibility are part of the solution. Read about how these changes are shaping the future of U.S. energy infrastructure: https://lnkd.in/efntjZGj #EnergyModernization #RenewableEnergy #EnergyGrid #EngineeringChallenges #Sustainability

North Scotland’s energy network was not designed to meet 21st century generation requirements. But it is now down to SSEN Transmission and its contractors to upgrade it by the end of 2030. Like the rest of the UK and many other countries, Scotland is racing to upgrade its electricity transmission network so that it can meet targets for decarbonisation. It has an ambition to connect 11GW of offshore wind power capacity by 2030. This requires significant investment and workforce expansion, as well as collaboration and planning. While National Grid is delivering its Great Grid Upgrade and Scottish Power is working on its Action 2030 plan, SSEN Transmission has responsibility for upgrading the network in northern Scotland. It is doing this under its Pathway to 2030 programme. This features four subsea high voltage direct current links, 550km of new 400kV overhead line, hundreds of kilometres more of refurbished overhead line, eight new substations and four new converter stations. VGC Group

A dozen projects across 11 states are getting a share of $34 million earmarked by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to find ways to modernize and innovate the power grid. The funding comes from the DOE's Grid Overhaul with Proactive, High-speed Undergrounding for Reliability, Resilience, and Security (GOPHURRS) program and will help promote grid upgrades, reduce disruptions, and open the door for more renewable energy. #ElectricalGrid #GridOptimization #RenewableEnergy #PowerGrid