Maine’s electric grid is facing pressures: aging infrastructure, rising electricity demand due to home and vehicle electrification, and the integration of renewable energy resources to meet the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard of 80% clean energy by 2030. New transmission lines would help address these challenges, but are capital-intensive and often face long lead times for planning, permitting, and construction. One way to get more out of the existing grid is through Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs), which can improve efficiency and performance and, in some cases, help defer the need for costlier upgrades. GETs have already shown promise in reducing costs and alleviating curtailment in other markets.
E3’s new report, Cost and Benefits Assessment of Grid-Enhancing Technologies in Maine, prepared for the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC), evaluates the feasibility of implementing GETs in the context of Maine’s economic and policy needs as well as the state’s electricity system dynamics. The GETs specifically evaluated in this report are Dynamic Line Ratings (DLRs), Power Flow Controls (PFC), and Topology Optimization (TO). Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) were also reviewed as a potential complement to GETs deployment.
The report includes a comprehensive review of case studies and pilot programs demonstrating the efficacy of different GETs, coupled with an analysis of Maine’s transmission topography and forecasted generation to create a cost-benefit framework for evaluating potential savings associated with each viable solution. The study finds that while new or upgraded transmission lines can bring greater total benefits, GETs can provide significantly higher returns on investment under certain forecasted generation and load conditions. In particular, DLRs and VPPs are well-suited for Maine’s grid characteristics, such as radial transmission lines, high forecasted wind generation, and growing demand during winter peaks.
The report concludes that GETs can be a viable part of the solution to Maine’s grid challenges by improving the efficiency of existing transmission assets, reducing congestion from increased integration of renewables, and providing operational flexibility. While not appropriate for every situation, these technologies should be evaluated alongside conventional solutions to determine the most cost-efficient solutions, with additional analysis needed to identify promising pilot locations.
Read the full report here >
For further information on E3’s work in transmission planning, please contact lakshmi@ethree.com.
