Adding new renewable energy projects to local grids can take an average of five years, slowing the process of reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
A draft plan from the Department of Energy focuses on improving interconnection processes in the nation’s electric grids as part of the Biden administration’s goal to decarbonize the power sector by 2035.
As Ethan Howland explains in Smart Cities Dive, “In the last five years, interconnection queues — generators waiting to have their proposed projects studied to see if grid upgrades are required to bring them online — have surged.” On average, it currently takes five years to complete interconnection for a new project.
The plan’s recommendations include: “Create new and expand existing fast-track interconnection options, including surplus interconnection service, generation replacement service and energy-only interconnection service” and “Investigate inter-regional transmission solutions through joint transmission planning efforts between neighboring systems,” as well as boosting effort to improve workforce capability and retention as demand for skilled staff grows in this sector.
FULL STORY: DOE issues draft plan to speed up, improve grid interconnections
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