PJM publishes phase 1 results of Offshore Wind Transmission Study

PJM Interconnection has published the results of a study it did with state agencies to identify transmission solutions across the PJM footprint to deliver offshore wind generation.

The Phase 1 results of its Offshore Wind Transmission Study found that current offshore wind policy targets among the states that PJM serves total 14,268 MW. The cost estimates to upgrade the existing onshore transmission system ranged from $627.34 million in the short-term analysis to $2.16 billion to $3.21 billion for the long-term studies.

While each of the coastal states that PJM serves has its own offshore wind goals and policies, synchronized planning among states could present a more efficient path to achieving these objectives than each state working alone, the report determined. PJM has committed to dedicate expertise to facilitating states’ decarbonization policy goals through its five-year strategic plan.

Coordinating with agencies in the PJM states — Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Virginia — the study analyzed five scenarios to provide a high-level reliability assessment and resulting cost estimates of how offshore wind generation and current Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) targets would impact the onshore transmission system.

Ten states within the PJM region and the District of Columbia have mandatory RPS targets. Because the modeling of renewable resources went beyond offshore wind, some scenarios include transmission upgrades for zones not in proximity to offshore wind injection locations.

PJM is a regional transmission organization (RTO) that serves all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.