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Energy & Grid Management
Kent Knutson
Kent Knutson
Top Contributor
·Posted in Energy & Grid Management
Mon, Oct 2

SPP Expansion Provides a Blueprint for the Future of the Grid

Blueprint for future integrated power grid!
 
This is a great visual analysis by Grid Status’s Max Kanter using market data to assess Southwest Power Pool’s (SPP) recent and planned expansion into the western interconnection. When fully implemented, SPP will become the first Regional Transmission Group (RTO) to bridge the gap between the eastern and western power grids. The paper has illuminating maps and charts covering the planned footprint, fuel mix, and power flows. Today there are seven back-to-back (B2B) high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) facilities enabling up to 1,300 MW of current to flow between the eastern and western interconnected power grids. Here is a revealing excerpt from Max’s paper, “A well-managed western market has the potential for rapid evolution into the premier grid of tomorrow.” This is an important and groundbreaking grid optimization effort by SPP and other western balancing-authorities – something to keep a close eye on during the coming months and years.