Hell froze over in Texas – it will hook up with the US grid for the primary time by way of a fed grant

The US Division of Power (DOE) broadcasts $1.5B for 4 transmission initiatives – together with connecting the Texas grid to the remainder of the US for the primary time ever.

The initiatives, spanning a number of states, will add practically 1,000 miles of latest transmission traces and improve grid capability by 7,100 megawatts (MW). They’ll enhance grid reliability, decrease vitality prices, and help the clear vitality transition.

The initiatives will enhance transmission congestion and resilience, particularly because the nation faces extra excessive climate occasions. By enhancing connections between areas and making it simpler to entry renewable vitality sources like wind and photo voltaic, these initiatives will make vitality extra dependable and cost-effective. They’ll additionally generate practically 9,000 jobs, supporting native economies in Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Along with the transmission initiatives, the DOE launched its Nationwide Transmission Planning Research, which outlines a long-term imaginative and prescient for assembly future vitality wants by way of 2050. The research highlights the necessity to double or triple transmission capability from 2020 ranges to make sure reliability and resilience because the vitality panorama shifts towards renewables. Right here’s a breakdown of the 4 initiatives:

• Aroostook Renewable Mission (Maine): This 111-mile transmission line with a capability of 1,200 MW will join a brand new substation in Haynesville, Maine, to the bigger New England grid, offering entry to wash vitality from northern Maine. It’s anticipated to create over 4,200 building jobs and 30 everlasting jobs.
• Cimarron Hyperlink (Oklahoma): A 400-mile HVDC line will run from Texas County to Tulsa, transferring 1,900 MW of unpolluted wind and solar energy to rising load facilities in jap Oklahoma and elsewhere within the Southwest Energy Pool. This mission will create 3,600 building jobs and 20 everlasting roles.
• Southern Spirit (Texas to Mississippi): It is a REALLY. BIG. DEAL. Spanning 320 miles, this HVDC line will hyperlink Texas’ remoted ERCOT grid with the Southeast grids for the primary time, including 3,000 MW of bidirectional capability throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. It’s designed to forestall outages like those throughout Winter Storm Uri that hit Texas arduous in 2021. It’s anticipated to create 850 building jobs and 305 everlasting jobs.
• Southline (New Mexico): A 108-mile transmission line will present 1,000 MW of latest bidirectional capability between Hidalgo County and Las Cruces. It can assist meet vitality wants of industries investing within the area, together with semiconductor, battery manufacturing, and knowledge heart services. The mission will create a minimum of 150 building jobs.

US Deputy Secretary of Power David Turk stated, “DOE’s method to deploying near-term options and creating long-term planning instruments will guarantee our electrical grid is extra interconnected and resilient than ever earlier than, whereas additionally supporting better electrical energy demand.” 

Learn extra: How EVs had been a lifeline for 3 households (and 6 cats) through the Texas blackout