Transmission

“DOE is looking at a larger objective, which is how we can more effectively serve the entire Eastern Interconnection. That is a different starting place for planning, and likely will produce different transmission planning projects. EIPC is a good clearinghouse for that.”

Conversation with Neara’s General Manager-Americas, Rob Brook, on his experiences in our industry, what attracted him to this major Australia-based company, and how he views his current role.

“The previous method for assessing resource adequacy may be obsolete. We need to rethink how we understand and quantify generating capacity, energy supply, and how load is served.”

Members of the FERC-NARUC Task Force on Electric Trans­mission held a panel and discussed holding its first meeting. Members shared their priorities for the work of the task force and views on what they hope it can accomplish.

Panelists discussed lessons learned from transmission experiences and necessary considerations for future projects.

“The time has come for FERC to forcefully reiterate that investments in transmission infrastructure are a national priority.”

There are generators who want to get projects built, but they don’t know until very late in the process what it’s actually going to cost to upgrade the associated transmission system.

Shifting generation almost entirely toward zero-carbon sources will require the build-out of substantial new transmission capacity.

The existing transmission system is being asked to accomplish something it was never designed to do – deliver large amounts of wind and solar energy long distances to the homes and businesses that need it.

Options like the use of FACTS, or converting an existing HVAC to HVDC, may offer easier ways to increase capacity using existing rights of way.