Evolving energy landscape driving the need for renewable interconnections, asset maintenance upgrades
PEWAUKEE, Wis. – American Transmission Co. has published its new 10-year assessment, identifying electric grid improvements for the upcoming decade throughout the company’s service area. Specifically, the plan calls for expenditures of $2.8 billion in asset maintenance, $1.1 billion in regional Multi-Benefits Projects (including the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s recently approved Long-Range Transmission Planning projects), $0.5 billion in network projects and between $0.7 billion and $1.9 billion in other capital expenditures.
The evolving energy landscape and renewable generation coming online are driving the majority of projects identified within this assessment.
“We continue to work with MISO on the significant uptick in the generation-to-transmission requests now in the queue,” said Tom Dagenais, director, system planning. “Presently, there are 109 proposed projects in the generation queue within our service area, totaling over 14.1 gigawatts. The massive influx of these proposed connections to our system requires in-depth analysis by our planners to ensure we have adequate projects and time to interconnect these renewable generation resources. MISO’s Long-Range Transmission Planning will be key to how we plan for and integrate the proposed projects in the queue.”
ATC also manages the safety and reliability of the electric transmission system by maintaining existing assets and aging infrastructure throughout the service area.
“Evaluating renewal projects is an ongoing and methodical process,” said Jim Vespalec, director of asset planning and engineering. “Over time, exposure to weather and avian species can adversely impact and deteriorate wooden poles. We also review and test substation equipment at regular intervals, assessing the scope and timing of the maintenance. In addition, new fiber optic wire upgrades and installations help our operators more reliably monitor the status of our grid and make it more secure.”
The full plan is available for viewing at ATC10YearPlan.