NOVI – On the Nov. 27 episode of MITech TV, Kwafo Adarkwa, director of public affairs at ITC, discussed the changing energy landscape as it relates to the electric grid today and in the future. Adarkwa emphasized that while our energy landscape is heading in the right direction, we must be prepared to invest in transmission infrastructure to prepare for increased electric demand, changing weather patterns and changing generation sources.
Increasing demand for electricity
Our energy landscape is changing as our society demands more power from electronic devices to home appliances, and even electric vehicles – which are still experiencing growth in market share. Our way of life is highly dependent on electricity and the only time we realize just how dependent we are on electricity is when we are without it. Having a resilient grid is one way to guard against life-altering power failures.
Clean energy goals on the near horizon
Today, and beyond, renewable energy resources will become more prevalent in our society as fossil fuels continue to be retired. These renewable resources are often located in remote regions, so the need for increased transmission infrastructure becomes more critical.
According to a recent Department of Energy National Transmission Needs study, we’ll need to expand transmission systems by 60% by 2030 and may need to triple those systems by 2050 to meet growing clean electricity demands.
Across the country, states are expanding their clean energy goals. In Michigan, both the Clean Energy Future Plan and the Renewable Siting Reform Package were signed into law, taking effect in February of 2024.
While both laws have provisions and requirements, it’s a signal Michigan is serious about accelerating clean energy goals
Economic development in our state
We are seeing much interest from companies considering moving some, or all, of their business operations to Michigan. Our state has much to offer, but prospective companies expect reliable, affordable energy to power their operations.
Investments in transmission support thousands of jobs, both directly during construction and over the lifetime of the investments. According to a report on transmission benefits released by the WIRES Coalition and London Economics, job creation and economic benefits achieved through transmission development can be substantial and long-lasting.
Michigan’s Long-Range Transmission Plan Projects
Recent projects, including Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) Multi-Value Project (MVP) portfolio in the Upper Midwest, have led to significant new generation development, improved technology and enhanced reliability. MISO’s Long-Range Transmission Plan (LRTP) builds on the legacy of the MVPs and provides a roadmap for future transmission investment across the region. It includes 18 projects approved in 2022, two of which are in Michigan (see Michigan’s Long Range Transmission Plan Projects | ITC (mifuturegrid.com)) and is anticipated to provide economic benefits that significantly exceed the costs to build the projects.
These projects are strategically engineered to improve Michigan’s grid reliability, enhance grid resilience to better with stand extreme weather, expand access to generation resources for electric consumers and improve the distribution of low-cost energy resources, thereby preparing us for the demands of an increasing electrified society.
ITC, headquartered in Michigan, is the nation’s largest independent transmission company, uniquely focused on the transmission portion of the electric grid that carries high voltage electricity over long distances from where it is generated to where it’s needed.
