Press Release: Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission Meets on GETs
Grid Enhancing Technologies are Focus for Federal and State Regulators in July
Multiple policy proposals under consideration to address lagging U.S. adoption
Washington, DC, July 3, 2023 – On July 16th, the regulators from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and ten state public utility commissions appointed to the Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission will meet in Austin, Texas to discuss Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) from 2:30-5:00 pm CT.
GETs are hardware and software that increase the available capacity on the existing grid. They include Dynamic Line Ratings, which measure ambient conditions to determine true line capacity; Advanced Power Flow Control, which actively shifts power flow between available circuits; and Topology Optimization, software that finds options for grid operators to open or close circuits in a way that reduces congestion. The Brattle Group found that GETs can double capacity for new resources to interconnect.
Julia Selker, Executive Director of the WATT Coalition said:
“The WATT Coalition hopes that a productive discussion among state and federal regulators will assign responsibilities for reducing transmission congestion and appropriately deploying Grid Enhancing Technologies.
“Congestion costs are high and rising, yet everyone we speak with says it isn’t their job to fix. These regulators can resolve the standoff to save customers billions every year. We suggest they support the finalization of the incentives and requirements that are in open FERC proceedings.
“With federal and state action on GETs, more U.S. customers will see the benefits unlocked by Belgium’s Elia, National Grid UK, Colombia’s Empresas Publicas de Medellin, Australia’s Transgrid, and other worldwide utilities who have operationalized GETs. It’s time for the U.S. to catch up on best practices.”
Resources:
- About Grid Enhancing Technologies
- FERC proceedings including GETs
- Recent studies quantifying the benefits of GETs
Contact: Abby Sherman, asherman@gridstrategiesllc.com