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New NREL Report Highlights Pathways to Unlock Full Potential of Interregional Transmission

New NREL Report Highlights Pathways to Unlock Full Potential of Interregional Transmission June 14, 2024 Interregional transmission lines, which connect multiple planning regions, can offer numerous benefits to electric customers, such as increased grid reliability and reduced costs. However, current market and operating practices were not designed for such an interconnected system. “As we build…

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California ISO Greenlights Transmission Plan for Offshore Wind Integration

California ISO Greenlights Transmission Plan for Offshore Wind Integration May 24, 2024 The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has approved the 2023-2024 Transmission Plan that identifies and plans for key upgrades to California’s transmission system to deliver power from offshore wind turbines to the state’s homes and businesses. CAISO unveiled its draft 2023-2024 Transmission Plan…

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FERC adopts sweeping transmission planning regulations with the aim of speeding projects

FERC adopts sweeping transmission planning regulations with the aim of speeding projects Energize Weekly, May 22, 2024 The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) adopted a sweeping new regulation, on May 13, aimed at spurring the planning and construction of new transmission lines to meet the growing needs of the nation’s overworked electric grid. The new…

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Interconnection reform needed to keep transmission upgrades moving, industry report says

Interconnection reform needed to keep transmission upgrades moving, industry report says April 29, 2024 If the clean energy transition is to pick up speed, and transmission upgrades are to continue, the way interconnection works – from funding on up – needs to change, according to a new whitepaper from the Solar and Storage Industries Institute…

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Reconductoring transmission lines could be one solution to the growing demands on the grid

Reconductoring transmission lines could be one solution to the growing demands on the grid Energize Weekly, April 17, 2024 Faced with a soaring demand for transmission capacity in the U.S. and a dwindling number of new transmission projects, one strategy could be to upgrade the existing transmission network to carry two to three times as…

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Poor grid interconnection policies are causing project backups across the U.S., study says

Poor grid interconnection policies are causing project backups across the U.S., study says Energize Weekly, March 6, 2024 The grid interconnection process in the U.S. is so “dysfunctional” that more than two million megawatts of generation and storage are waiting to be hooked up, according to an analysis by Advanced Energy United (AEU). The study…

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New manufacturing facilities and data centers are driving increased electricity demand

New manufacturing facilities and data centers are driving increased electricity demand Energize Weekly, December 27, 2023 The U.S. electric grid is ill-prepared for a surge in demand coming from new manufacturing, data centers and in future years, electrification of transport and building heating. Meanwhile, the queue of generation projects waiting to get on the grid…

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Xcel Energy proposes 175-mile transmission line routes to connect renewable energy for southwest Minnesota

Xcel Energy proposes 175-mile transmission line routes to connect renewable energy for southwest Minnesota November 03, 2023 Xcel Energy turned in two proposed routes for its approximately 175-mile long Minnesota Energy Connection transmission line to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and Minnesota Department of Commerce this week. Either route would allow Xcel to connect low-cost…

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US energy department announces $1.3bn transmission buildout

US energy department announces $1.3bn transmission buildout Oct 31, 2023 The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to a $1.3 billion commitment in three transmission lines crossing six states, advancing projects aimed at adding 3.5GW of additional grid capacity throughout the United States. To ensure that transmission buildout is done in an informed manner,…

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Global electricity grid must be upgraded urgently to hit climate goals, says IEA

Global electricity grid must be upgraded urgently to hit climate goals, says IEA 17 Oct 2023 Ministers have been urged to “open their eyes” to the need to build a vast network of new electricity grids to allow countries to hit climate goals, the chief of the world’s energy watchdog has said. Fatih Birol, the…

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Xcel Energy plans new $500M transmission line in western Wisconsin

Xcel Energy plans new $500M transmission line in western Wisconsin October 9, 2023 Xcel Energy plans to build a new $500 million transmission line through parts of western Wisconsin. The company says it’s needed to maintain grid reliability as the utility transitions away from coal-fired power plants and brings in more wind power from Minnesota…

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State awarded $17.2 million grant for power grid resilience

Colorado awarded $17.2 million grant for power grid resilience Sep 28, 2023 The Colorado Energy Office and state Department of Local Affairs were granted $17.2 million in federal funds for improving the resilience and reliability of Colorado’s electric grid against climate-driven extreme weather events and aging infrastructure. As part of the program, state energy officials…

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