On May 30, 2024, EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler moderated a panel at the United States Energy Association Annual Membership Meeting and Public Policy Forum, where industry leaders, policymakers, and energy experts gathered to share their perspectives on the future of the energy landscape, both domestic and global.
The panel, “Conversation on Transmission Systems for the Future,” consisted of Southwest Power Pool Vice President of Engineering Casey Cathey and EPRI Technical Leader Anna Lafoyiannis with Snitchler as moderator. Participants discussed the latest developments in transmission reform, particularly FERC Order 1920, a major milestone in regional transmission policy focused on long-term planning, cost-effective transmission expansion, and state involvement. They shared thoughts on the future of Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) and what’s needed to make the most of them – including what they’d like for policymakers to know to best support transmission reform.
Order 1920 is a good start.
When asked for first impressions of the Order, Cathey noted that while Order 1920 is a positive step in transmission reform, FERC must also identify further factors in transmission delays, such as supply chain issues. Permitting is important, he acknowledged, but more steps need to be taken to bring transmission to where it needs to be. The government could identify opportunity amid the constraint, Cathey noted, adding that barriers need to be removed and transmission operators equipped so that the building process can happen. Lafoyiannis added that there is an urgency to build “today.”
Grid-enhancing technologies could help us make the most of what we have.
Grid enhancing technologies (GETs) are emerging solutions that can improve the performance of existing transmission infrastructure – including sensors, power flow control devices, and analytical tools.
GETs can help us make the most out of what we have, said Lafoyiannis. Currently, though, GETs are in pilot stage. Lafoyiannis said that while many GETs are already deployable, with over 30 companies already competing in the market, increased comfort and trust in the technology is needed. She suggested this could be supported by field standards and fastidious lab testing.
Cathey agreed. Building comfort with emerging technologies is important, he said, because facilities and investments need to be protected, and traditional utilities are very risk averse. He noted that the system overall needs more megawatts and better transmission efficiency.
As these emerging technologies become commercially viable and deployable, grid operators must continue to plan for existing technologies and dispatchable generation resources to be able to provide the megawatts and reliability needed to fill current needs.
Flexibility is key in delivering the energy expansion.
What’s their message to policymakers? In summary, the message was: What we’ve done before is probably not going to work. What’s needed is to build the right thing first, Cathey noted. Policy, process, and cost allocation need to be built around that goal. Lafoyiannis added that no one has a perfect crystal ball; you can talk proactive planning all you want but policymakers and decision makers need to be flexible and adaptable and create systems and processes that allow that adaptability.
Snitchler emphasized priorities at a USEA Press Briefing.
An energy expansion cannot happen without accelerated permitting and siting. At the USEA Press Briefing the following week on the “Deepening Electricity Supply Crisis,” Todd Snitchler added EPSA’s perspective on permitting reform and policies to support infrastructure buildout.
“We have to address in a meaningful way that permitting and siting question,” he said. “Without the ability to accelerate permitting and siting, we’re not going to be able to build a sufficient amount of resources or the wires [needed] to transport the electrons, or frankly, the natural gas infrastructure that will be needed to move the gas molecules to the plants that will be needed.”
Snitchler addressed policymakers as responsible for acknowledging “the delta between their aspirational policy goals and the operational realities of the system.” It’s incumbent on them to recognize that gap, he said. “If they set the guardrails and allow industry the opportunity to perform, we have demonstrated over a century that we can meet the expectations that are put upon us.”
The Bottom Line
With growing energy demand due to the addition of AI and data centers, as well as chips manufacturing, the rise of EVs, and other technological developments and electrification trends, it is more crucial than ever that regulators and policymakers address the growing concerns for grid reliability and a cost-effective, well thought-out energy expansion. All proven, commercially viable resources can be deployed to provide the megawatts required to meet America’s energy needs.
Transmission and distribution infrastructure is key in that equation. Power generators are the starting point for the electrons that travel through the grid, and it’s critical that that power flow reliably to power homes and businesses.
The list of challenges the energy sector faces is only growing, and these conversations between industry leaders and decisionmakers must bring about collaboration and compromise for a cleaner, more reliable, and cost-effective energy grid.
