Iowa State University study shows US transmission lagging as more countries turn to macro grids
The results of a study known as “Macro Grids in the Mainstream: An International Survey of Plans and Progress,” was released by Iowa State University this week, revealing a world reshaping and scaling up its electric grids — and leaving the United States behind.
The study, which was sponsored by Americans for a Clean Energy Grid, found that macro grids — a network of geographically expansive, ultra-high voltage regional and interregional transmission lines — are either already in place, under development, or under consideration at nearly all corners of the world. China, the European Union, South America, and India are all investing in large-scale transmission infrastructure.
China alone has completed more than 80 times more high-voltage interregional transmission than the United States.
“This report shows that interregional transmission Macro Grids are a worldwide phenomenon,” James McCalley, ISU professor and London Chair professor of power systems engineering, said. “The U.S. is lagging behind, yet, it has every reason to catch up since Macro Grids are highly effective in decreasing the cost of electric energy throughout the nation for any portfolio of resources, providing grid reliability, resilience, and adaptability while facilitating the integration of renewables which are not only carbon-free but are today’s least-cost generation technologies.”
The gains of others were described as both inspiring and disconcerting in their scope by Rob Gramlich, Executive Director of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid. The report called for the United States to review policies to address current challenges to interregional transmission and macro grid development. Other nations are aggressively pursuing scaling to tap low-cost domestic and foreign renewable resources — particularly in terms of wind and solar projects — grow their economies and boost security,
“Despite multiple research studies demonstrating the significant economic benefits of a Macro Grid, the U.S. now lags behind its peers with an antiquated electric grid and transmission system,” Tracy Warren, Director of the Macro Grid Initiative, said. “An advanced Macro Grid will help us compete internationally with countries that have already built high-voltage long-distance lines, and it will also enable the integration of higher levels of renewable power.”
