Grid congestion is a problem for more than renewable energy projects. It’s also hitting consumers in their wallets.
I’ve posted numerous times about the issues related to connecting renewable energy projects to the grid. But that isn’t only the problem our outdated grid infrastructure is causing. The lack of transmission capacity is also hindering the ability to deliver low-cost power to the consumer.
Consulting firm Grid Strategies estimated that U.S.-wide grid congestion cost $6.5 billion in 2016. By 2021 it had more than doubled to $13.3 billion.
The region with the highest costs? That would be the Midcontinent Independent System Operator or MISO. They tallied an estimated $2.85 billion in congestion-related costs that consumers had to cover.
But never fear. You’ll be happy to know that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in on top of things. They’ve been “exploring” the issue since 2019. Shouldn’t be more than another decade before they issue a report.