SEPA report makes recommendations to improve transmission development
In a new report, the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) calls for greater coordination, collaboration, and partnerships among transmission utilities and developers to achieve the nation’s transmission development goals.
The paper, “Coordinating for Transmission Development: Delivering a Carbon-Free Energy Future,” describes the factors and approaches that can improve transmission development collaboration and success. It reaches its conclusions based on past examples of successful transmission development as well as discussions with utilities, regulators, consumer advocates, system operators, environmental organizations, and renewable developers.
“Transmission development is critical to achieve an affordable carbon-free energy future, but a variety of barriers exist that continue to delay progress,” Janet Gail Besser, vice president, regulatory and business innovation at SEPA, said. “Increased coordination, collaboration, and partnerships among transmission developers and utilities is one piece of the solution that needs immediate industry attention.”
Among the findings and recommendations, the authors said the industry stakeholders should:
- Align policy on the need for and benefits of transmission that crosses multiple jurisdictions;
- Identify portfolios of transmission projects at the planning stage that provide value across and between regions;
- Participate in regulatory and policy processes that build confidence in transmission solutions;
- Leverage policy, portfolios, and processes for partnerships that demonstrate the value of transmission and bring together complementary skills to share resources and expertise.
The authors added that coordination, collaboration, and partnerships among transmission utilities and developers could improve the efficiency of the transmission development process and enable greater innovation.
