Sinan Aydin’s Post

Paving the Way: Accelerating Transmission Infrastructure Development In the realm of infrastructure, transmission lines are more than just lines on a map—they are the arteries that power a nation's progress. Despite facing major delays in recent years, several significant transmission projects have made strides forward in the US, signaling a promising shift in momentum.    These advancements are not happenstance; they stem from a confluence of factors, including the utilization of new Federal tools and a renewed commitment at the highest levels of government to prioritize robust planning, permitting, and payment regulations for transmission infrastructure.    As an example, initiatives like Grid United (GU), which aims to unite the energy grids within and between Canadian and US energy markets. GU is focused on grid modernization, resilience, and integration as essential solutions to addressing wasted energy surplus/congestion and fostering greater economic prosperity by creating a larger commodity trades market.    As we celebrate these recent successes, it's imperative to delve deeper and glean insights to propel transmission development forward at the pace needed. By understanding the catalysts behind these achievements, we can identify opportunities to leverage them effectively and ensure that transmission infrastructure keeps pace with our growing energy demands.    With expertise in navigating regulatory complexities, optimizing land access, and providing advisory services tailored to the transmission sector, LandSolutions Inc is poised to support clients in overcoming challenges and achieving success in their infrastructure endeavors. Let's collaborate to pave the way for a resilient and sustainable transmission network that powers our future.    Come visit us at #CleanPower24 – Booth 959 to learn how we are helping developers and utilities secure land access and propel transmission projects forward. #renewables #gridintegration

This should become a trend because how can technology thrive without a stable and reliable power system? Better now than later, as other utilities around the world should make similar investments.

For decades, electric utility companies have been the last to deploy cutting edge American technology. Using the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment program, we are moving away from “death by pilot” to utilities returning to their role of deploying cutting edge American technology to meet economic growth while saving ratepayers billions of dollars. “PG&E plans to use the financing for several infrastructure projects that will allow the utility to meet its net-zero emissions goals while aiming to keep up with demand growth, the company said. Potential projects include capacity increases to its network of hydroelectric dams, new batteries coupled with transmission upgrades and tapping into “virtual power plants,” networks of batteries and energy management systems that can help meet local demand needs. “This loan is going to reduce greenhouse gases. This loan is going to increase the useful life of energy infrastructure in California,” said Chris Creed, chief investment officer of the Energy department’s Loan Programs Office, in an interview. “This is going to replace needed pieces of equipment, and all the while, do so while saving rate payers money.”

Let's say that PG&E takes this 15-billion-dollar loan (at low interest rates) and uses that money to build out it's CA grid infrastructure to supply the electricity demand that is expected to increase from green energy use. All that 15 billion goes into capital projects. How is it then that PG&E, a company that has clearly demonstrated that its maintenance of existing assets is woefully inadequate, can be counted on to manage any new assets coming out of this 15-billion-dollar loan? Here is PG&E's business plan: Install infrastructure over the past 124 years, then leave it to fail in place by failing to maintain it. Instead, reward top executives with lavish bonuses for thinking up this clever business plan. The poorly maintained assets fail (ticking time bombs), causing billions more in property damage and loss of human life. That property loss includes PG&E infrastructure that PG&E cannot afford to replace. However, PG&E, now teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, is allowed to claw back those losses through a series of rate increases rubber-stamped by the CPUC (CA Public Utilities Commission), tasked to approve or deny any and all rate increases petitioned from PG&E. PG&E customers get to pay for all this and more.

Energy utility "death by pilot" refers to an energy company becoming stagnant or failing to innovate due to excessively relying on small-scale pilot projects to test new technologies, often never fully implementing them on a larger scale, effectively hindering their ability to adapt and grow in the market; essentially, getting stuck in a cycle of testing without taking action. 

The Biden administration is set to invest $2.2 billion in eight transformative projects as part of its Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP) program, aiming to strengthen the U.S. power grid with nearly 13 GW of new transmission capacity across 18 states. This significant funding, announced on August 6, marks the second round of investments under the Department of Energy’s (DOE) GRIP program, a $10.5 billion initiative established by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The latest round of funding will not only enhance transmission infrastructure but also catalyze $10 billion in public and private investments, underscoring the administration's commitment to a resilient and modern energy grid capable of meeting the nation's growing electricity demands. Check out this article to learn more!

The Biden-Harris administration just announced a groundbreaking investment of $371 million for 20 projects nationwide, aimed at delivering reliable and affordable energy to consumers while also creating well-paying jobs. This move is a critical step toward modernizing our nation's grid and scaling up renewable energy sources like wind and solar. With cleaner, more efficient energy pathways, this investment will help create a resilient infrastructure that supports America's growing demand for clean energy. Read more about how this initiative will impact the future of energy transmission and why it's a game-changer for electrification in the full article here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Q0B850 . . . . #Qmerit #QmeritCertified #Electrification #CleanEnergy #GridResilience

The Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment program is helping electric utilities like PG&E embrace cutting-edge American technology to drive economic growth and sustainability. By investing in projects like hydroelectric upgrades, battery storage, and virtual power plants, PG&E is not only advancing towards net-zero emissions but also saving ratepayers billions. It's an exciting step towards a cleaner, more efficient energy future.

A great example of how DOE’s 1706 Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment loan program can be used to help utilities modernize their systems, especially in light of load growth in the coming years.

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the second round of Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program awardees. GRIP was initially created and funded as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Today’s DOE awards total up to $2.2 billion across 8 projects, and will help integrate 13 GW of energy onto the grid, according to DOE. Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG) Executive Director Christina Hayes issued the following statement:   “ACEG applauds DOE’s investment in transmission through the GRIP program as a welcome step towards modernizing our nation’s infrastructure. The awards announced today will contribute to building or upgrading more than 1,000 miles of transmission lines — which is all the more important after only 55 new miles of high-voltage lines were built in 2023. We need more high-capacity transmission to provide communities across the country reliable, low-cost energy, particularly as we see increasing load growth and more frequent extreme weather events creating more strain on the grid. We look forward to supporting these awarded projects as they move closer to completion.” https://lnkd.in/eueBVzXQ