US electricity demand is projected to grow nearly 16% by 2029, putting new urgency behind the need for grid upgrades and the addition of new generation resources. The surge in renewable energy projects aiming to connect to the grid has highlighted longstanding transmission capacity challenges. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) found that to achieve a 100% clean energy grid by 2050 under a high electricity demand scenario, total U.S. transmission capacity must expand 2.7–4.1 times the 2020 level. Yet, at the end of 2023, nearly 2,600 GW of renewable energy projects were stuck in queues due to high network upgrade costs and insufficient transmission capacity. These bottlenecks resulted in over $11.5 billion in congestion charges for U.S. consumers in 2023. Traditional grid planning and operations, rooted in traditional practices, can struggle to adapt quickly to modern demands.
A modernized approach to grid planning and operation is critical in order to safely, reliably, and affordably meet the electricity demands of the future. Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) can play a critical role in grid modernization by optimizing the efficiency of existing infrastructure and unlocking unused capacity. GETs include hardware and software solutions that allow transmission owners and operators to rapidly and cost-effectively increase transmission capacity on both new and existing lines, all while ensuring grid reliability, safety, and efficiency. By introducing flexibility and generating data insights, GETs enhance grid reliability through real-time monitoring of grid conditions and enable grid optimization.
GETs not only mitigate congestion and reduce upgrade costs but also accelerate the integration of renewable energy, ensuring the grid remains resilient and adaptive in the face of evolving demands. This report “Assessment and Evaluation of Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs)” prepared for ACORE outlines three commercially available GETs and discuss their potential for integration in grid planning and operations, enabling both the system and its customers to reap the benefits of early adoption and enhanced functionality as the grid evolves to become more data-driven and digitally enabled. The focus is on Dynamic Line Ratings (DLR), Advanced Power Flow Control (APFC) and Transmission Topology Optimization (TTO) software, emphasizing their data-driven and dynamic capabilities.
Access the report here
