Analyzing the US Transmission Industry
Federal law and implementing regulations are causing the most significant change in the U.S. electric power industry since the Great Depression. For more than 60 years the industry was characterized by a structure - utilities serving exclusive franchises - and a regulatory strategy - pricing at average prudent cost of service - that are now changing in fundamental ways.
Recently the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), FERC, and the U.S. Congress have questioned whether the high-voltage transmission system is capable of supporting its growing economic role. In May 2001, the National Energy Policy Development (NEPD) Group, referring to the transmission system as the “highway system for interstate commerce in electricity,” recommended that reliability standards be made mandatory, in part because of the increasingly competitive nature of the electricity market.
The transition of the U.S. electric power industry from a regulated monopoly to a deregulated industry where generators of electricity compete for customers is in full swing. Consequently, many aspects of the industry are changing, including its infrastructure.
Aruvian's R'search’s report on the US Transmission Industry looks at this industry in transition. The report provides an overview of electric power transmission, industry statistics of the US transmission industry, the investment scenario in the industry, and of course, the emergence and impact of renewable energies on the US transmission industry along with case studies.
Recently the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), FERC, and the U.S. Congress have questioned whether the high-voltage transmission system is capable of supporting its growing economic role. In May 2001, the National Energy Policy Development (NEPD) Group, referring to the transmission system as the “highway system for interstate commerce in electricity,” recommended that reliability standards be made mandatory, in part because of the increasingly competitive nature of the electricity market.
The transition of the U.S. electric power industry from a regulated monopoly to a deregulated industry where generators of electricity compete for customers is in full swing. Consequently, many aspects of the industry are changing, including its infrastructure.
Aruvian's R'search’s report on the US Transmission Industry looks at this industry in transition. The report provides an overview of electric power transmission, industry statistics of the US transmission industry, the investment scenario in the industry, and of course, the emergence and impact of renewable energies on the US transmission industry along with case studies.
A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
B. INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION
B.1 Overview
B.2 What is AC Power Transmission?
B.3 History of AC Power Transmission
B.4 Bulk Power Transmission
B.5 Grid Input
B.6 Grid Losses
B.7 HVDC
B.8 Grid Exit
B.9 Importance of Communication
B.10 Electricity Market Reform
B.11 Merchant Transmission
B.12 Wireless Power Transmission
C. OVERVIEW OF THE US TRANSMISSION INDUSTRY
C.1 Overview
C.2 Historical Background of North American Electric Reliability System
C.3 Changing Patterns in the Industry
C.3.1 Increase in Network Congestion
C.3.2 Analyzing Recent Outages
C.3.3 Changed Trends in Power Flows
C.3.4 Rising Popularity of Renewable Energy Systems
C.4 Impact of Regulations
C.4.1 FERC Orders 888 and 889
C.4.2 FERC RTO 2000
C.4.3 Financial Incentives
C.4.4 Ratemaking: a Boost for Utilities
C.4.5 Energy Throughput
C.4.6 Becoming More Grid Efficient
C.5 Impact of the August 2003 Blackout
C.6 Transmission Line Siting - Major Obstacle for the Industry
D. IMPACTS ON THE FUTURE OF THE US ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM
D.1 Regulatory Factors
D.1.1 Restructuring of the Electric Industry
D.1.2 Regulation of the Environmental, Public Health, and Safety
D.1.3 Issues with National Security
D.2 Industry Drivers
D.2.1 Increasing Level of Competition
D.2.2 Aging Infrastructure of the US Electric Power System
D.2.3 Stronger Consumer Demands
D.3 Technology Drivers
D.3.1 Role of IT in Revolutionizing the Industry
D.3.2 New Materials for the Electric Grid
D.3.3 Advanced Materials: High Temperature Superconductors
D.3.4 Reduction in Costs of Electricity Storage Systems
D.3.5 High-voltage Power Electronics
D.3.6 Distributed Energy Generation & CHP Systems
E. INVESTING IN THE US TRANSMISSION INDUSTRY
E.1 Requirement for More Investment
E.2 Challenges Facing Investment Situation in the Industry
F. THE EMERGENCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE US TRANSMISSION INDUSTRY
F.1 Role of the Renewable Portfolio Standard
F.2 Bulk Transmission Capacity
F.3 Challenges Facing the U.S.
G. TRENDS IN GLOBAL POWER MARKETS
H. APPENDIX
H.1 Conversion Factors
H.2 Figures & Tables
I. GLOSSARY OF TERMS
B. INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION
B.1 Overview
B.2 What is AC Power Transmission?
B.3 History of AC Power Transmission
B.4 Bulk Power Transmission
B.5 Grid Input
B.6 Grid Losses
B.7 HVDC
B.8 Grid Exit
B.9 Importance of Communication
B.10 Electricity Market Reform
B.11 Merchant Transmission
B.12 Wireless Power Transmission
C. OVERVIEW OF THE US TRANSMISSION INDUSTRY
C.1 Overview
C.2 Historical Background of North American Electric Reliability System
C.3 Changing Patterns in the Industry
C.3.1 Increase in Network Congestion
C.3.2 Analyzing Recent Outages
C.3.3 Changed Trends in Power Flows
C.3.4 Rising Popularity of Renewable Energy Systems
C.4 Impact of Regulations
C.4.1 FERC Orders 888 and 889
C.4.2 FERC RTO 2000
C.4.3 Financial Incentives
C.4.4 Ratemaking: a Boost for Utilities
C.4.5 Energy Throughput
C.4.6 Becoming More Grid Efficient
C.5 Impact of the August 2003 Blackout
C.6 Transmission Line Siting - Major Obstacle for the Industry
D. IMPACTS ON THE FUTURE OF THE US ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM
D.1 Regulatory Factors
D.1.1 Restructuring of the Electric Industry
D.1.2 Regulation of the Environmental, Public Health, and Safety
D.1.3 Issues with National Security
D.2 Industry Drivers
D.2.1 Increasing Level of Competition
D.2.2 Aging Infrastructure of the US Electric Power System
D.2.3 Stronger Consumer Demands
D.3 Technology Drivers
D.3.1 Role of IT in Revolutionizing the Industry
D.3.2 New Materials for the Electric Grid
D.3.3 Advanced Materials: High Temperature Superconductors
D.3.4 Reduction in Costs of Electricity Storage Systems
D.3.5 High-voltage Power Electronics
D.3.6 Distributed Energy Generation & CHP Systems
E. INVESTING IN THE US TRANSMISSION INDUSTRY
E.1 Requirement for More Investment
E.2 Challenges Facing Investment Situation in the Industry
F. THE EMERGENCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE US TRANSMISSION INDUSTRY
F.1 Role of the Renewable Portfolio Standard
F.2 Bulk Transmission Capacity
F.3 Challenges Facing the U.S.
G. TRENDS IN GLOBAL POWER MARKETS
H. APPENDIX
H.1 Conversion Factors
H.2 Figures & Tables
I. GLOSSARY OF TERMS
