The Eastern Interconnection Planning Collaborative

The Eastern Interconnection Planning Collaborative (EIPC), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, released a two-phase study assessing future power sector infrastructure needs across the Eastern Interconnection. Phase II of the study developed transmission expansion buildouts for three future scenarios selected from a larger set of eight scenarios identified in Phase I. The three scenarios include (1) a nationally-implemented federal carbon constraint with increased energy efficiency and demand response, (2) a regionally implemented national renewable portfolio standard, and (3) a business as usual future. Between 2015 and 2030, transmission expansion for scenarios 1 and 2 is estimated to cost up to $115 and $80 billion, respectively, with annual operating cost savings corresponding to $52.6 billion and $9.7 billion, respectively. This indicates that Scenario 1, with national policy and transmission expansion, provides large net benefits relative to Scenario 2’s regional solutions and Scenario 3’s business as usual scenario.

The Eastern Interconnection Planning Collaborative – Phase 1

The Eastern Interconnection Planning Collaborative – Phase 2