U.S. Boosts T&D Overhauls with SPARK Investments

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Written by Will Ploch, Assistant Editor-in-Chief for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

In an effort to modernize the U.S. power grid, the Department of Energy is sending nearly $2 billion to a series of projects designed to add T&D capacity through overhauls and improvements, as opposed to entirely new projects.

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Newer Lines Bring New Capacity

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is offering up to $1.9 billion to help fund 31 grid-improvement projects across the U.S., through the reconductoring or rebuilding of more than 1,500 miles of transmission and distribution (T&D) lines. The DOE expects utilities and other entities involved will contribute about $3.4 billion, bringing total investment in these projects to about $5.3 billion. Industrial Info Resources is tracking more than $15 billion worth of reconductoring or rebuilding projects across the U.S.

The projects rewarded are expected to add as much as 23 gigawatts (GW) of T&D capacity, according to the DOE. The funding is part of its Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) program, which was developed out of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

According to Industrial Info Resources data, American Electric Power Incorporated (AEP) accounts for more investment in reconductoring or rebuilding projects than any other parent company at nearly $4 billion. At least one of its subsidiaries, American Electric Power Service Corporation, is set to receive $50 million in federal funds through SPARK for the "deployment of Advanced Transmission Technologies to improve the delivery of power and enable next-generation grid capabilities," according to the DOE.

AEP is preparing to begin work next year on two power-line rebuilds in Ohio: a 36-mile stretch from Howard to Shelby, and a 12-mile stretch from Fostoria to Tiffin. The latter project includes upgrades to the West End Fostoria Substation. Industrial Info Resources offers more information on these developments in its Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Project Database, where readers can find details--including construction schedules, investment values and necessary equipment--in reports on the Howard-to-Shelby and Fostoria-to-Tiffin projects.

Duke Energy Carolinas LLC, a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corporation, is set to receive $50 million to deploy Advanced Transmission Technologies and perform T&D upgrades "in areas that were significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene, and other targeted areas," according to the DOE. Helene left a trail of devastation across western North Carolina in late September 2024, where Duke is rebuilding a 23.8-mile stretch of line between two substations in Monroe. Readers can learn more from a detailed project report.

"By maximizing existing rights-of-way, the selected projects will eliminate congestion bottlenecks and avoid expensive greenfield construction--lowering operating costs to help reduce consumer electricity bills," the DOE said in a press release. "Additionally, SPARK selections will strengthen overall grid resilience by mitigating wildfire hazards, preventing blackouts, and protecting against severe weather events."

By the Numbers

• More than $15 billion: Total investment in T&D reconductoring or rebuilding projects across the U.S.
• Up to $1.9 billion: Contribution from the DOE to help fund 31 grid-improvement projects across the U.S.
• Up to 23 GW: Estimated new T&D capacity, according to the DOE, that would result from the supported projects

East Coast Overhauls T&D Infrastructure

Eversource Energy Service Corporation, a subsidiary of Eversource Energy, received more than $47.7 million to a develop a "cutting-edge transmission-line rating system and advanced data analytics" to increase capacity on its T&D system in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Eversource already is at work on a dozen T&D reconductoring or rebuilding projects in these three states.

One such project that already has started construction is the 6.7-mile replacement of underground cable within Hartford, Connecticut, which will include equipment installations at the Northwest Hartford, Southwest Hartford and South Meadow substations. Eversource is replacing oil-filled cables installed in 1974 with modern, polyethylene cables. Readers can learn more from a detailed project report.

The New York Power Authority is slated to receive $50 million for its Marcy STATCOM PowerBoost project in Marcy, which is about 50 miles east of Syracuse. National Grid USA, which owns the Porter Substation, plans to upgrade the facility through the replacement of outdated circuit breakers, among other features. Readers can learn more from a detailed plant profile and project report.

The DOE said in its press release it is optimistic these investments will boost efficiency: "This strategy will bypass the multi-decade timelines typically required to build entirely new transmission corridors, delivering massive grid upgrades in record time."

The Industrial Info Resources GMI Project and Plant databases offer a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article, and a full list of related plant profiles.

Industrial Info Resources also offers a full list of reports for active and proposed T&D reconductoring or rebuilding projects across the U.S.

Key Takeaways

• The DOE is trying to boost U.S. T&D capacity through its SPARK program.
• AEP accounts for more investment in reconductoring or rebuilding projects than any other parent company.
• The DOE believes these investments will boost efficiency and avoid expensive greenfield construction.

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About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news, and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing, and energy-related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified, and verified plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).