As a solar enthusiast and expert, I find it tremendously interesting to watch the ever-changing landscape of the solar world. Take for instance, the recent discussions about high-capacity conductors, also known as advanced conductors. These advanced conductors can replace existing conductors on existing transmission towers to increase the capacity of the grid.
The government-owned entity Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which serves the northwestern states, embarked on this path in January. However, analysts from Energy Innovation and GridLab opined that the process is worthwhile, but perhaps too slow. The prospect of studying advanced conductors in lieu of merely leveraging the learnings from real-world applications might be slowing the adoption rate.
This ‘bottom-up’ approach to adoption is commonly identified with other utilities, too. However, it’s critical to note that these analysts are not singularly focused on BPA or other similar utilities, but are rather emphasizing the potential of these conductors overall.
Their study predicts that reconductoring—the process of installing these advanced conductors—could enable as much as 764 GW of transmission-connected solar by 2035. That’s a number any solar expert – and indeed, anyone interested in solar panels for your home – would want to take notice of.
Notably, the U.S. Department of Energy echoed this sentiment last month. Recognizing the substantial potential of reconductoring, they called for a national effort to deploy such technologies.
Adding weight to this initiative, the White House recently announced a federal-state initiative involving 21 states to modernize the grid. This initiative aligns with their effort to upgrade 100,000 miles of transmission lines over the next five years. Additionally, provisions from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) have made crucial federal funding available for these projects.
Such advancements in the industry are certainly encouraging for solar companies. Moreover, these consequences have a powerful ripple impact on consumers, too.
To illustrate the potential, since 2000, within BPA’s service area itself, six high-voltage projects were completed enabling connection of 7 GW of wind power and 525 MW of solar. This indicates the frontier of possibilities that advanced conductors present.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s recent Order 1920 effectively instructs utilities to develop and refresh their long-term transmission plans, and makes it a requisite for each utility to consider these advanced conductors.
As someone who is deeply invested in the solar industry, whether you are a solar company or a homeowner considering a solar array for home, these developments are worth keeping an eye on. Pioneering technologies such as advanced conductors can transform the sector, enabling more efficient and robust connections and scaling up solar power generation in unprecedented ways.
From the individual homeowner who is considering solar panels for their home to larger solar companies, these emerging technologies are game-changers. The future is solar, and it’s infused with innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. For the dedicated solar enthusiast, there’s always something new and exciting to learn, eagerly watching as the industry continues to charge forward.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/05/29/grid-analysts-challenge-bonneville-powers-pace-in-adopting-advanced-conductors/
