FERC is Encouraged by the National Grid to Give Greater Grid Technology Incentives

Experts believe that Grid-enhancing technology might help put more renewable energy onto the system, but legislative and technological barriers remain.In a February analysis by the WATT Coalition Brattle Group, Grid improvement technologies — particularly sophisticated power stream control, dynamic line ratings, and optimizing topology — were identified that may make integration into the Southwest Power Pool more than twice as high.

The updating of the current U.S. transmission system is a vital step to open up the whole potential for renewable energy in the country and speed up a zero-emissions electricity Grid.Different enhancement technologies can make the system more effective and renewable by modifying the voltage on a line, including in order to control system congestion and to better monitor the circumstances in real-time.

Xcel Energy has observed that renewable energy is not growing dramatically across its system despite its own review of technology across the whole system, according to Amanda King, director of strategic transmission plans for Xcel Energy. The results are “still a respectable improvement,” she stressed.

Terron Hill, Director of National Grid Activity Development and Transmission Policy, acknowledged that technology provides significant advantages, but stated that more should be done by the Fed to stimulate utilities to take advantage, which should be done more swiftly. He stated that more generators are attempting to link to the systems, and utilities must be ready to meet this demand.”To offer us the correct incentives, FERC has to be given since you now want us to accept a whole batch of additional risks,” he added. “If something goes wrong, the usefulness has a breach.”