The U.S. is on the verge of a boom in transmission projects driven by a massive buildout of renewable energy generation and an increase in federal transmission planning initiatives. Several long-distance power lines, such as the Champlain Hudson and SunZia, have reached major permitting milestones after years of planning and review.
Recent long-term resource plans of several electric utilities include accelerated timelines to develop renewables or retire coal-generation fleet, reflecting the impact of policy changes ensuing from 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA includes provisions to support the transition of the U.S. electricity generation fleet to cleaner energy sources and lower carbon emissions.
The market for renewable natural gas (RNG) is in transition as decarbonization mandates have led more states and jurisdictions to embrace strong policies lowering barriers to market access.
Federal and state agencies across the U.S. are boosting efforts to support electric vehicles (EVs) through zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) goals and decarbonization mandates. EVs are poised to play a significant role in the transition to a decarbonized economy by reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Several U.S. states have unveiled new climate action plans or revised existing strategies to achieve their emissions reduction mandates. California, New York, and Michigan are among states that have recently adopted plans to achieve net-zero emissions or to move towards carbon neutrality by mid-century.
Net metering policies, which have been instrumental in driving the growth of distributed solar across the U.S., are poised for further evolution as states explore a holistic approach to establish compensation mechanisms. In California, a long-time leader in solar adoption, regulators have approved a significant overhaul of the net metering program, a decision that will likely have broad implications for the industry nationwide.
Demand response (DR) continues to garner attention as a key reliability tool amid the ongoing transition to renewable energy, increased electrification, and extreme weather. Traditionally intended to shed load and prevent blackouts during peak demand periods, DR is increasingly valued for its ability to address imbalances caused by the variability in wind and solar generation.
As the transition to a carbon-free grid relies on the integration of diverse renewable energy resources, the need for long-duration energy storage has become more essential. Storage systems capable of supplying energy for 10 hours or more, or adequate stored energy to provide firm capacity to the grid have been garnering attention to accommodate renewables and support grid stability.
Efforts to preserve and expand the U.S. nuclear fleet are figuring more prominently across the U.S., spurred by the growing demand for emission-free energy. In particular, policy actions and initiatives are geared towards making nuclear power more competitive.
Ambitious federal goals and initiatives to boost offshore wind power generation, coupled with state commitments, are opening new frontiers for the industry. Recent developments reflect the growing emphasis on transmission infrastructure upgrades and regional planning required to make these goals a reality.
Ambitious clean energy and reliability goals continue to drive grid modernization efforts ranging from proposed rules to encourage utility investments in cybersecurity to a $10.5 billion initiative to enhance grid resilience.
Technological advancements and climate goals are driving the transformation to distributed energy resources (DER), such as solar photovoltaic systems. The transformation, which is empowering consumers with more choices and energy management options, has also prompted an evaluation of potential cybersecurity risks stemming from anticipated future growth.