Two approaches to prevent queue-jumping by thermal generation
A study from Grid Strategies and ACORE finds evidence that priority transmission access offered by three grid operators has yielded generating portfolios “heavily weighted” to thermal resources. The study favors transmission planning followed by recruitment of projects that can use planned transmission capacity to enter the interconnection queue. A limited non-discriminatory “fast path” could meet near-term reliability needs.
Grid operator PJM reports progress on interconnecting new generation as capacity costs surge
PJM said it agrees with many of the recommendations for speeding transmission interconnection made by the nonprofit group RMI, and reported it has completed 600 interconnection studies in less than 22 months under its current interconnection study process. Even so, a GridLab report says PJM would have substantially lower capacity costs next year if a modest portion of renewable and storage projects in PJM’s queue had been set to reach operation by then.
In Virginia and New Jersey, solar and storage goals include surplus interconnection
Incoming governors in New Jersey and Virginia campaigned on broad clean energy platforms, while Advanced Energy United sees underused points of interconnection as the best solar and storage opportunity in Virginia.
PJM grid region needs 16 GW of storage by 2032, says Brattle study
“Without decisive action” to add storage, “millions of homes and businesses could face costly and dangerous reliability risks,” said the trade group sponsoring the study. “Hundreds of storage projects are stalled in PJM’s interconnection queue,” it added.
RFP Alert: Engie seeks renewable energy in the ERCOT, PJM markets
Respondents will receive data-driven feedback on how their offers compared to the market.
New Jersey moves to increase energy storage to rein in costs
In conjunction with a separate bill to increase community solar projects, New Jersey Gov. Murphy signed legislation into law that will increase the state’s energy storage without new costs for ratepayers.
Solar leads as U.S. grid interconnection agreements grow 33%
Interconnection agreements grew 33% year-over-year in 2024 and are sustaining momentum through 2025, said Wood Mackenzie.
PJM could fast-track 102 GW solar, 24 GW storage at underused points of interconnection
The nation’s largest grid operator could enable deployment of much-needed renewable capacity in the next 1-2 years, researchers found.
New Jersey utilities must explain their votes on matters decided by grid operator PJM
When members of the nation’s largest grid operator PJM vote on matters affecting the speed of PJM’s interconnection studies and other issues, utilities in New Jersey and Maryland must now report on how they voted.
How to fix policy on virtual power plants
The executive director of the Energy Policy Design Institute describes the development of virtual power plant policy frameworks that can help public utility commissions create clear regulations and set industry best practices.
