The recent article from Utility Dive, New generation is a ‘better approach’ to energy security than interregional transmission: ERCOT, underscores the importance of rapidly adding generation resources to Texas’ grid as a faster path to improving energy security. Citing ERCOT officials’ assertions that new generation is a more immediate and effective solution than developing new interregional transmission, the article highlights the efficiency of the Texas Energy Fund (TEF) and the impressive acceleration in generation capacity.
However, while this perspective is grounded in the practicality of quick-to-market generation, it overlooks an important and highly viable complementary solution: the use of high-capacity Advanced Conductors for reconductoring existing transmission infrastructure. This technological innovation could dramatically increase the transfer capability of the existing grid without the need for extensive new construction, enabling ERCOT and other regions to meet energy security needs more quickly and cost-effectively.
The article, quoting ERCOT officials, mentions that “additions to generation are significantly faster” than the construction of new interregional transmission lines, which can take over a decade to bring online. While it is true that generation can be more quickly deployed, the ability to rapidly expand transmission capacity is often underestimated. Advanced conductors, such as CTC Global’s ACCC® Conductor, have the potential to double the transmission capacity of existing lines. This approach, known as reconductoring, offers a substantial upgrade to the grid’s ability to transfer energy between regions, enhancing grid stability and reliability.
In practice, reconductoring can reduce the bottleneck in grid transfer capacity, which is particularly valuable when new generation resources are deployed rapidly, as ERCOT suggests. Instead of constructing entirely new transmission lines, which come with significant permitting, environmental, and construction delays, advanced conductors allow for faster upgrades to the existing infrastructure. This enables energy to flow more freely between generation and consumption centers without the lengthy timelines associated with traditional transmission expansion projects.
The argument for relying heavily on new generation ignores the fact that transmission constraints still remain a critical limiting factor for integrating renewable energy and ensuring grid stability. While ERCOT’s emphasis on new dispatchable generation projects and its success with the TEF program are commendable, they would be far more effective with an accompanying strategy to upgrade the transmission grid.
Moreover, Advanced Conductors help to address issues of congestion in critical areas, enabling higher levels of power to be transferred more efficiently over existing lines. This innovation also contributes to reducing grid losses, improving overall system efficiency, and mitigating the risk of outages by alleviating overloading issues.
It is important to recognize that transmission and generation are not mutually exclusive but complementary elements of a robust energy strategy. Rather than pitting new generation against interregional transmission, the two should be integrated to provide a holistic solution to energy security. High-capacity Advanced Conductors represent a pathway to achieving this integration quickly, without waiting for the extensive timelines that accompany traditional transmission line construction.
While ERCOT’s focus on generation development is certainly a valuable part of the energy security solution, neglecting the potential of Advanced Conductor technologies to double transmission capacity through reconductoring overlooks an efficient and timely way to meet the region’s energy needs. By enhancing transmission infrastructure in parallel with new generation, Texas could optimize its energy security strategy, improving grid resilience and flexibility while accelerating the transition to a more sustainable energy future.
Link to successful 345 kV AEP reconductoring project in Texas
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