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Energy & Grid Management
Nevelyn Black
Nevelyn Black
 · Posted in Energy & Grid Management

Lost in Transmission

Increasing electricity demand and changes in generation are creating the need for substantial transmission expansion.  To meet demand, decarbonize and modernize the grid, PJM is looking at significant impacts across 13 states and DC, with up to 7,500 MW of new data centers in Virginia and Maryland and the deactivation of more than 11,000 MW of generation.  The regional transmission organization wants to deliver reliability.  Some 65 million customers are depending on it.

Approval to expand the regional transmission system was given by PJM Board of Managers and is based on specific criteria;  

  • Effectiveness to meet system needs through 2028,
  • Ability and flexibility to expand to meet system needs beyond 2028. 
  • Minimizing of local impacts by using existing rights of way, where possible. 
  • Risks to costs and schedule.

Dominion, FirstEnergy, Exelon, PPL, NextEra, Transource and PSEG were all included in the proposal and the costs are estimated to be $5 billlion.  "We are pleased that our proposal was selected by PJM as it will bring increased reliability and resiliency to the electric grid given the critical energy needs of the region," said Matt Valle , president of NextEra Energy Transmission. "We look forward to collaborating with all communities and stakeholders to successfully develop and execute on this project for PJM customers."  The MidAtlantic Resiliency Link will improve reliabilty with a new 130-mile 500-kV transmission line and a new 500/138-kV substation.  
The benefits of the expansion will include but are not limited to;

  • Avoided or deferred reliability transmission facilities and aging transmission infrastructure replacement
  • Reduced loss of load probability by providing additional pathways for connecting generation resource
  • Reduced planning reserve margin as system operators can reduce their resource adequacy requirements.
  • Production cost savings
  • Reduced transmission energy losses – with demand on the rise, utilities and customers can’t afford losses over transmission. 
  • Mitigation of weather and load uncertainty – managing the load with upgraded technology, operators can navigate extreme weather and wildfire risks.
  • Capacity cost benefits from reduced peak energy losses – saving costs and energy.

The goal to maximize net benefits, across the country, requires a complete transmission overhaul.  It won't be easy or cheap but it will be remembered  as one of the greatest attempts upgrade transmission.Â