North America | November 4, 2024

Grid Growth for a Renewable Future: Expanding High-Voltage Transmission

Expanding the grid is not only a solution for renewable integration but a catalyst for economic growth

 

Image for illustration purposes.

As the world shifts toward renewable energy, one of the biggest obstacles is outdated transmission infrastructure. Today’s power grids were originally designed for centralised fossil fuel plants, where power is generated and distributed locally. However, renewables like wind and solar are often generated in remote areas, far from urban centres and industry. This mismatch creates grid congestion, power inefficiencies, and ultimately slows down renewable adoption.

To overcome these challenges, modernising the grid has become essential. High-voltage transmission lines are key to distributing large amounts of electricity over long distances efficiently. Investing in these lines not only improves energy distribution but also reduces emissions and promotes the reliability of the entire power system.

The Avangrid High-Voltage Project

A practical example of grid modernisation is the Avangrid project, aimed at connecting renewable power from Northern Maine to the New England grid. This 1,200 MW high-voltage line, funded in part by the Department of Energy (DOE) with a $425 million grant, promises to enhance grid reliability and efficiency. The project involves building over 1,000 miles of new transmission lines, which will support an additional 7,100 MW of clean energy. By reducing grid congestion, this development also contributes to lowering emissions across the region.

Solving Grid Violations

The U.S. grid also faces technical issues like thermal and voltage violations, particularly during peak demand. These occur when lines operate beyond their heat thresholds (thermal violations) or fail to maintain optimal voltage levels (voltage violations). To tackle these issues, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) has proposed a $21.8 billion upgrade. The plan includes a 765-kV transmission system designed to handle large power transfers, with projects expected to go live between 2032 and 2034. This upgrade should reduce congestion and improve the overall resilience of the grid.

Bureaucratic Delays and International Insights

One of the largest hurdles to renewable expansion is the lengthy permitting process. It often takes as long to secure permits as it does to build the infrastructure itself. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the world will need 15 million miles of new power lines and 1,500 GW of energy storage by 2030 to meet global renewable goals. Germany, for instance, has accelerated its approval processes, resulting in a near-doubling of renewable energy installations. Streamlining these processes could prevent delays that currently hold back solar and wind projects.

The NREL Transmission Expansion Study

To understand the scale of infrastructure needed, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), under the DOE, launched a multiyear National Transmission Planning Study. By modelling nearly 100 scenarios for the future U.S. grid, NREL determined that doubling the transmission network could save up to $490 billion and reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 11 billion metric tonnes by 2050. The study recommends expanding high-voltage DC lines to facilitate cross-regional power transfers, especially in central areas rich in wind energy.

Source: EE Power