Dec 16 2009
The Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator recently released a study highlighting the need for high-voltage electric transmission solution to integrate the increased renewable energy resources in Upper Midwest region.
ITC came up with this solution in February 2009 with an extra-high voltage electric transmission project called the Green Power Express. More than 12,000 megawatts of energy can be transmitted by The Green Power Express covering seven states in the Upper Midwest.
Phase I of the Regional Generation Outlet Study was released by the Midwest ISO on Friday, 11 December, 2009. Joseph L. Welch, President and Chairman of ITC, remarked that a powerful electric transmission system will help in increasing the growth of renewable energy sources. Welch stated that the technical solution developed by the Regional Generation Outlet Study is quite similar to the one proposed by ITC in The Green Power Express.
Welch suggested that a number of energy policy situations will be supported by The Green Power Express that stands as a high-voltage transmission backbone. Welch stated that a number of overlay segments that were identified by the Midwest ISO match on an electrical and geographical basis with the segments proposed by ITC for The Green Power Express.
John Bear, CEO and President of the Midwest ISO, remarked that the region in the next ten years will receive benefits between $5.5 and $7.1 billion on a net present value basis. Bear suggested that costly congestion can be avoided by permitting the integration of substantial amounts of power from Upper Midwest.
ITC, according to Welch will continue to collaborate with the Midwest ISO, federal agencies, state agencies and other stakeholders in order to focus on the nation’s need for a powerful and efficient transmission system.
Source: http://www.itctransco.com/