U.S. Power Grid Beefs Up Resources to Cope with Challenges

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The U.S. electric transmission grid consists of more than 200,000 miles of high-voltage lines. Transmission lines in many areas of the country are decades old, and utilities are investing billions of dollars to update and expand the transmission system.

Industrial Info is tracking 245 transmission projects in the U.S. that are valued at more than $49 billion, as well as 236 substation projects that are valued at more than $6.2 billion.

Investment in the U.S. electrical power grid must expand in order to connect conventional and renewable energy, such as solar- and wind-derived power, while withstanding natural disasters, power surges, cyber and physical attacks, and the threat of electromagnetic pulses. These events could disable entire sections of the grid.

Industry drivers of transmission and distribution infrastructure include increased demand, inadequate electric infrastructure, state and federal regulations, and economic incentives such as renewable portfolio standards, and declining capacity margins.

Recently, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) (Washington D.C.) survived a legal challenge to Order 1000, a ruling that establishes requirements for transmission planning, which include planning reforms, cost allocation reform, non-incumbent developer reform and compliance. Consumer organizations praised the ruling as key to improving efficiencies and lowering costs, as well as a win for renewable energy developers, while opponents complained they were being forced to coordinate on transmission planning in a previously voluntary process.

In 2013, FERC reported an increase of 3,295 miles of electric transmission lines and projected the addition of 12,980 miles by the end of 2015. Industrial Info continues to track transmission and distribution projects throughout the U.S. and North America.

For related information, see July 9, 2014, article - Maine, New Hampshire Power Lines Drive $4 Billion in Transmission Spending in New England

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, three offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.