Increasing Transmission and Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs)

THIS PIECE WAS WRITTEN BY KIRI UHLAND, NCEL COMMUNICATIONS INTERN. KIRI IS AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER STUDYING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND SUSTAINABILITY.

The U.S. Needs Increased Transmission Capabilities – States are Turning to Grid-Enhancing Technologies to Help Get There Quicker

Power grids are in desperate need of increased transmission development. Studies show that 80% of the climate benefit of the IRA will be lost if transmission capabilities are not increased. However, new transmission lines take 10 years on average to be operational. Grid-enhancing technologies (GETs), the energy efficiency tools of the power grid, can help increase the capacity of the grid faster and without building new lines. 

What Are Grid Enhancing Technologies?

GETs encompass a variety of technologies used to maximize the transmission of electricity across the existing system. By increasing the capacity of existing lines to transmit electricity, the capacity of the grid can be increased without the lengthy permitting process. 

The Benefits of GETs

What’s more, a Brattle Group regional study on the impacts of GETs found extensive nationwide benefits. 

• With GETs, double the amount of renewables can be integrated into the grid prior to building new large-scale transmission lines. 
• GETs can result in 90 million tons of avoided carbon emissions per year, equivalent to taking 20 million cars off the road. 
• An estimated $5 billion in energy production costs can be saved yearly, with upfront investments paid back in just 6 months. 
• GETs integration also creates jobs–330,000 local construction jobs, and 20,000 high-paying operations jobs.

Types of Grid-Enhancing Technologies

Dynamic Line Ratings

Dynamic line ratings measure the true conditions and temperature of a line to determine its capacity. The capacity of lines can increase by 50% in cold temperatures.

Advanced Power Flow Control

Hardware and software balance overloaded or underutilized corridors of transmission, avoiding overflows of electricity in some areas and underutilization in others. 

Topology Optimization

Software is used to track the best route and combination of lines for transferring power. The software can then turn off/change power lines that are in use to optimize the existing grid network.

State Action and Current Legislation

In 2023, Colorado passed legislation that funds a study to examine the need for expanded transmission capacity in the state including through GETs. This year, at least nine states are considering legislation that encourages or incentivizes the introduction of GETs into transmission systems. This includes California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia.

If you are interested in learning more about grid-enhancing technologies and options for your state, contact NCEL’s Climate and Energy Manager Ava Gallo.

Learn More About Grid-Enhancing Technologies

• GET a GRIP: A Path to More Renewable Energy on the Grid (RMI)
• Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP) program (GRIP)
• What are GETs? (WATT Coalition)
• Federal Funding for GETs (WATT Coalition)
• Grid-Enhancing Technologies: A Case Study on Ratepayer Impact (DOE)