ISO-NE ’ s 2050 Transmission Study
• Generator locations matter . Exactly where new generators are built can have a significant impact on the transmission upgrades required for reliability . Locating power producers and connections to offshore wind closer to large population hubs will help reduce strain on the transmission system .
• Transformer capacity is crucial . The system ’ s existing transformers were not designed to handle the vast increases in demand associated with an electrified economy . Lead times for new transformers are often one to two years , so adding a large number in a short period of time could be difficult and costly . Nonetheless , adding transformers throughout the system could likely relieve overloads and support reliability .
Costs in context The study presents estimated costs to strengthen the transmission system against thermal overloads over the next 26 years . The upgrades are not all needed today , and any construction would occur on a scale of decades — so these estimates should be viewed in the context of how much the region has historically spent on transmission system upgrades each year . The table below shows how the annual averages for the study ’ s estimates compare to investment so far this century to ensure reliability and replace aging equipment .
Timeframe
Average Cost
2002-2023 $ 0.73 billion per year
2024-2050 ( 51 GW peak )
2024-2050 ( 57 GW peak )
$ 0.62 billion to $ 0.65 billion per year
$ 0.88 billion to $ 1.00 billion per year
Many of the potential line rebuilds the study identified will also overlap with needs to repair or replace older equipment , known as asset condition projects , which means that some single projects can address these needs as well as system expansion .
The study estimates do not include adjustments for inflation , and they do not include costs for reliability projects needed to address voltage , stability , short-circuit , and other concerns outside of thermal overloads .
Locating power producers and connectors to offshore wind closer to large population hubs will help reduce strain on the transition system .
Total costs by year studied
One of the study ’ s objectives involved developing sets of potential solutions for regions within New England that saw groupings of high-likelihood transmission concerns . These roadmaps — which address challenges in delivering electricity to densely populated areas in Greater Boston and northeastern Massachusetts , and to northwestern Vermont — are high-level plans that identify transmission upgrades needed to support future demand and satisfy reliability criteria .
The system ’ s existing transformers were not designed to handle the vast increases in demand associated with an electrified economy .
While the roadmaps consider both the feasibility of construction and cost , they are not comprehensive or detailed plans for specific projects . In some cases they include conceptual projects that could help address concerns such as an offshore grid to send power from wind facilities to population centers .
Each roadmap consists of several major components , paired with rebuilds of existing lines and other elements to form a complete solution for the relevant region . In addition to areas in Massachusetts and northern New England , the study examined potential solutions in southwestern Connecticut .
The report does not recommend one roadmap over another . The intent of including multiple roadmaps is to provide a basis of comparison for decision-making by New England stakeholders .
In October 2020 , NESCOE released the New England States ’ Vision for a Clean , Affordable , and Reliable 21st Century Regional Electric Grid . The statement recommended that the
14 JANUARY 2024 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com