T&D Grid

James Duehning, Mark Van Dyne, Kent Herzog, Alex Lee, and Andrew Schulte: “We need to shift from a deterministic planning model to something more probabilistic, especially with all the uncertainty around future load and generation. The way we identify project needs today doesn’t fully reflect the realities we’re facing.”

“We came across a neat wrinkle around the untapped potential of existing retired infrastructure, like a retired coal plant, which in many cases has transmission interconnection and substation infrastructure. There are about 180 or so that have adequate infrastructure for utilities to consider retrofitting.“

“Every year, 10 million miles of conductor are needed. Even with our South Carolina expansion, we’re looking at about 30,000 miles of conductor. That is a drop in the bucket. That 150 million miles of conductor needed in 15 years is for the global marketplace, but it is still a massive number.”

“Utilities are focused on making sure they can meet the growth, but we’re also seeing the impact of continued weather events, extreme climate events that require a resilient, reliable grid. We have not seen a stop of those investments from a grid-modernization, grid-reliability perspective.”

“While they’ve acknowledged the workforce lacks the technical expertise to deploy AI and machine learning, they are looking at how to fix this through more training. About 48% of those surveyed said continuous training and education can help bridge that expertise gap.”

“AI enables real-time dynamic pricing models, which allow for more efficient integration of intermittent renewables on the grid, and data center companies have begun leveraging AI to decarbonize their own operations.”

“A new model has emerged: co-location. Rather than wait in the transmission queue or depend on grid upgrades, large loads are siting next to generation to bypass delays with grid expansion. It’s raising questions about how the grid is planned, who pays, and where regulatory boundaries lie.”

“Some utilities are already exploring structured cost-sharing models, such as milestone-based investment commitments and firm load agreements, to ensure that new infrastructure investments are made with clear demand signals.”

“EPRI’s GET SET (Grid-Enhancing Technologies for a Smart Energy Transition) initiative explores four key technologies aimed at boosting the electric grid’s capacity: Dynamic Line Ratings, Advanced Conductors, Transmission Topology Optimization, and Advanced Power Flow Controllers.”

“We started in 2003 with the simple idea that modern materials – in this case carbon fiber and smart conductor designs – would enable electric utilities to move much more power down their existing rights-of-way and put off the need to add significant new transmission corridors.”