Grid Modernization Can’t Wait: Lessons from the ACORE Policy Forum

Transmission towers in a green field with a blue-sky background.

At the ACORE Policy Forum last week, leaders from across the energy sector spoke about the dual imperatives of expanding transmission lines and deploying advanced transmission technologies (ATTs) to maximize our current infrastructure and move quickly to meet the surge in electricity demand. 

Expanding Transmission Infrastructure 

“Anything that we’re doing to slow the development of big interstate and interregional transmission lines I think is counterproductive to not only clean energy deployment, but affordability and energy security arguments,” Tom Erb from Fervo Energy said. 

Two panelists sits on stage and addresses attendees at the ACORE Policy Forum.

Upgrading the U.S. Power Grid 

Frank O’Sullivan from S2G Investments continued, “We have an enormous stock within the existing system that is frankly underutilized in many instances. Things like grid enhancing technologies are meaningful unlockers of new capacity.”  

“It takes 18 months to build a data center,” Paige Rodrigues from CTC Global further stated. “Three times that to build a natural gas plant and seven to 10 years or more to build new transmission. If we want to connect generation to load, we have to explore options that can be done in a matter of months, not several years. Advanced transmission conductors can do that through reconductoring. This is a technology I’m really excited about.”   

Panelist sits on stage and addresses attendees at the ACORE Policy Forum.

The Federal Government is Stepping Up  

Acting Under Secretary of Energy, Alex Fitzsimmons, said that the U.S. Department of Energy will be investing billions of dollars strategically to reconductor and expand transmission capacity to bring down electricity prices for customers. He talked about how they’ll be investing in a suite of grid enhancing technologies in the places that have the most impact. “All of these things are happening on the energy system at the same time. You’re adding all of this new load. You’re adding all of this new generation. You need to make sure that the transmission gets built in the right places in the right ways, and that’s what we’re focused on.” 

Keynote conversation at the ACORE Policy Forum with Alex Fitzsimmons and Colin Meehan.

The Takeaway   

Throughout the event, leading energy sector voices pointed out the critical issues facing the U.S. energy sector and the need for interregional transmission and ATTs to help deliver reliable, affordable energy. 

Learn more about the Macro Grid Initiative here and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn and X. 

Author

Colin Meehan
Colin Meehan

Colin Meehan

ACORE Team Member

Vice President, Grid Campaigns