MISO's newly approved transmission line buildout 'to support 53GW of renewables'

• The board of directors of the US Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) has approved a US$ 10.3 billion portfolio of 18 transmission projects as part of efforts to integrate new generation resources and also raise resiliency despite serious weather occasions.

MISO, which handles the transmission of high-voltage electricity across 15 US states and the Canadian district of Manitoba, stated the projects represent the initial of 4 tranches in its long-range transmission preparation process.

According to market trade organization the Clean Grid Alliance, the 18 transmission lines will be the largest transmission portfolio in the United States, supporting 53GW of new renewable energy resources included in utilities' resource strategies and states' goals.

"Today's information is groundbreaking not just due to the fact that it represents the biggest portfolio of transmission lines ever before approved in the nation, but likewise since it will certainly help support inexpensive, reliable, renewable resource for customers," claimed Natalie McIntire, lead transmission professional at the Clean Grid Alliance.

The alliance claimed that while the cost of the buildout is approximated to be US$ 10.4 billion, it is expected to supply US$ 37 billion in financial benefits over two decades.

Among the benefits of the very first tranche, according to MISO, include resource competence savings, avoided risk of lots shedding as well as decarbonisation.

The grid operator utilized existing transmission corridors to intend the portfolio of projects, decreasing the effect on towns and also communities, decreasing construction costs as well as shortening application time.

"These projects will certainly support the reliable, affordable shift of the generation fleet," said MISO COO Clair Moeller.

The first two tranches are concentrated on the MISO Midwest subregion, the third on the MISO South and the fourth will certainly resolve the restrictions on power exchange in between those two subregions.

The United States Department of Energy last month released the Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) effort, which intends to reduce interconnection queues, minimize wait times as well as reduced grid link costs.

i2X's objective statement is "to enable the easier, faster and fairer interconnection of solar and wind energy resources while boosting reliability, resiliency and protection of our electrical grid".