The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today issued a series of orders intended to speed interconnection of data centers and other large energy users in six regional grids under its jurisdiction. The orders propose several reforms for grid operators to address, including providing new transmission services for flexible large loads.
Comments below from Duke University expert Jackson Ewing are available for media to use in their coverage.
Quotes:
“Much of the action in the wake of FERC’s large load pronouncements today will center on where its jurisdiction starts and stops,” says Jackson Ewing, director of energy and climate policy at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. “That’s important, but equally important is the degree to which the FERC show cause orders drive utilities, RTOs and regulators to implement flexible interconnection.”
“FERC’s ruling emphasizes getting more from existing infrastructure broadly and gives runway for flexible interconnection options specifically. States and transmission organizations should prioritize these pathways. If they fail to do so, it will likely accelerate deployment of behind-the-meter gas generation operating as primary supply rather than reliability backstop.”
Bio:
Jackson Ewing is director of energy and climate policy at Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. Ewing has expertise in electricity demand growth, power markets and energy finance. Ewing and other Duke University experts have published extensive analysis of electricity demand growth and innovative solutions.
For additional comment, contact Jeremy Ashton at:
ni-comm@duke.edu
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