North America News

Latest news and developments from North America region

• ISO New England releases winter outlook summary

  December 13, 2021
  The Independent System Operator-New England (ISO New England) released a winter outlook summary that highlighted the seasonal risk during winter.

• DOE’s LPO starts reviewing loan applications for energy projects

  December 8, 2021
  The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) has started reviewing various loan applications totalling USD53.6 billion for potential advanced nuclear, transmission line, electric vehicle-related (EV) and other cutting-edge energy projects.

• Pattern Energy and RETA energise Western Spirit Transmission Line in New Mexico

  December 8, 2021
  The 345 kV Western Spirit Transmission Line in New Mexico has been energised by Pattern Energy and the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA), who have jointly developed the line, which will collect up to 800 MW of wind power from central New Mexico.

• Ameresco selects FlexGen for 2.1 GWh BESS in California

  December 7, 2021
  Ameresco, a clean energy solutions firm, has selected FlexGen to deliver battery energy storage system (BESS) technology and software for a portfolio of projects with aggregate capacity of 537.5 MW/2,150 MWh across three sites in southern California.

• TransWest Express sells 1.5 GW capacity of Wyoming─Nevada line to PCW

  December 7, 2021
  TransWest Express LLC (a wholly-owned affiliate of The Anschutz Corporation) has agreed to sell 1,500 MW of capacity on the Wyoming─Nevada transmission line [also known as the TransWest Express (TWE) Project] to Power Company of Wyoming (PCW).

• Maine PUC solicits new line to transmit state’s clean energy to New England grid

  December 7, 2021
  The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is seeking proposals for a new high voltage transmission line to connect renewable energy projects in Northern Maine to the New England grid.

• Texas PUC establishes new rule for emergency grid operations [free access]

  December 6, 2021
  The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) has established a new rule related to critical natural gas facilities that supply fuel to electric generators to ensure grid security during contingencies.

• NYISO releases Comprehensive Reliability Plan for 2021-30

  December 6, 2021
  The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has published its Comprehensive Reliability Plan (CRP) for 2021-30.

• CPUC approves grid security measures for 2022 and 2023 summers

  December 6, 2021
  In response to a government emergency proclamation, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorised a set of decisions aimed at ensuring electric grid security during the summers of 2022 and 2023.

• Con Edison proposes Clean Link to connect New Jersey with offshore wind

  December 6, 2021
  Con Edison Transmission Inc., a subsidiary of New York-based utility Con Edison, announced that it has proposed to build Clean Link New Jersey to connect 2.4 GW of future offshore wind capacity to New Jersey’s onshore grid.

• New York’s NYSERDA finalises contracts with CPNY and CHPE transmission projects

  December 1, 2021
  The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has finalised contracts with Clean Path New York LLC for its Clean Path NY (CPNY) project, and with Hydro-Québec’s subsidiary HQ Energy Services (US) Inc. (HQUS) for its Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) project. Both these projects will deliver clean, renewable solar, wind, and hydroelectric power from upstate New York and Canada to New York City

• IEA anticipates US’ renewable capacity to increase by 200 GW by 2026

  December 1, 2021
  International Energy Agency (IEA) has released a report—Renewables 2021 Analysis and Forecast to 2026—which estimates that renewable capacity in the US will increase 65 per cent from 2021 to 2026, adding more than 200 GW capacity.

• Maine DEP suspends NECEC project

  November 30, 2021
  The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has suspended the permit for Avangrid’s New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) power line, which would transmit electricity from Canada’s Hydro-Quebec to Massachusetts’ utilities

• AEP continues to invest in Lima-area transmission projects in Ohio

  November 30, 2021
  Recently, American Electric Power (AEP) provided an update on the transmission projects being implemented in Lima, Ohio. Four main projects are expected to stimulate nearly USD168 million in economic activities across the state.

• NextEra sells 50 per cent renewable and storage portfolio to OTPP [free access]

  November 30, 2021
  NextEra Energy Resources LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc, has announced the completion of a 2,520-MW portfolio of wind, solar, and energy storage assets spread across nine states in the US.

• States urge FERC to reject utilities’ ROFR proposal for regional transmission projects

  November 29, 2021
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which is considering revamping its rules for transmission planning, cost allocation and interconnecting generating facilities to the grid, has been urged by utility regulators, and ratepayer advocates from eight states and the District of Columbia to reject calls to give incumbent utilities the right of first refusal (ROFR) to build transmission lines in their service territories, which offer regional benefits.

• CCCE announces biggest utility procurement of vanadium redox flow battery systems

  November 29, 2021
  Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE), a California energy supplier and community choice aggregator (CCA), has announced four new grid-scale battery energy storage projects, including three long-duration flow battery projects.

• US DOI approves South Fork offshore wind project [free access]

  November 25, 2021
  The US Department of the Interior (DOI) has approved construction and operation of the 132 MW South Fork wind project offshore Rhode Island, making it the country’s second commercial-scale offshore wind project to get DOI approval.

• DLC plans BI-Crescent transmission upgrade project for Pennsylvania

  November 24, 2021
  Pennsylvania-based Duquesne Light Company (DLC) has planned the 138 kV Brunot Island–Crescent transmission line, or BI-Crescent upgrade project in five phases starting from December 2021.

• Hydrostor applies for CAES project approval to CEC

  November 24, 2021
  Pecho LD Energy Storage, a Hydrostor affiliate, filed an application with California Energy Commission (CEC) to build a 400 MW/3,200 MWh compressed air energy storage (CAES) project in San Luis Obispo County.