PJM, MISO evaluate transmission projects needed to facilitate energy transition

PJM Interconnection and Midcontinent Independent System Operator updated stakeholders on interregional transmission planning Nov. 8, highlighting the major medium-term projects needed to address power generator deactivations, aging infrastructure and reliability, with MISO finding 335 new projects that represent $3 billion of investment.

PJM's 2021 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan Reliability Window 1 was open from July 2 to Aug. 8, through which the grid operator sought technical proposals to resolve potential reliability criteria violations associated with certain transmission facilities, according to a presentation given during an Interregional Planning Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting.

The joint operating agreement between PJM and MISO specifies that the committee gather input and share coordinated system planning information and activities with all stakeholder groups.

PJM's RTEP window generated 57 total transmission proposals submitted from 10 different entities including 21 greenfield projects and 36 upgrades. Cost estimates ranged from approximate $600,000 to $136 million, according to the presentation.

"A re-tool of the base case was necessary due to changes which have occurred since the original 2021 RTEP violations were identified," and the additional review resulted in some changes to results, reducing and eliminating the violations previously identified, the presentation said. The analysis is currently underway.

As part of the analysis, PJM evaluated the impacts of recent generator deactivations requests and deactivations request withdrawals in the 2026 winter case, which identified three transmission facilities that would be overloaded as a result.

The presentation said PJM anticipates opening a transmission proposal window to address the issues. The window will close on Jan. 12, 2022.

Additionally, PJM is evaluating transmission project proposals as part of its long-term market efficiency process. The grid operator received 24 proposals from seven entities and results of the final review will be shared at a December stakeholder meeting, with a new 2022/23 24-month cycle set to start in January.

MISO transmission update

The 2021 MISO Transmission Expansion Plan will go before the MISO board of directors in December for approval. Projects targeting the 2022 transmission expansion plan are under evaluation and will be discussed at stakeholder meetings beginning in the first quarter of 2022, according to the presentation.

In 2021 MISO Transmission Expansion Plan, MISO staff recommended $3 billion of new transmission enhancement projects, according to the draft report.

The report covers 335 new transmission projects needed to address reliability and aging infrastructure. The generator interconnection queue has grown to a record 958 projects totaling 150.3 GW, the report said.

"Fundamental changes in the electric industry landscape – such as shifts in generation resources, consumer demand for low-carbon resources, and decentralization of generation – require a planning process that can ensure the grid will be able to accommodate these changes," MISO said in the report.

Of the 335 projects, 50 are for new generator interconnections totaling $345 million in investment, 30 are baseline reliability projects totaling $187 million and the rest fall in the "other project" category which totals $2.49 billion, according to the report.

The "other" category consists of 33% reliability projects, 42% age and condition projects, 20% load growth projects and 5% local need projects.