North America News

Latest news and developments from North America region

• Kentucky Power to seek regulatory approval for 161 kV rebuild project

  July 7, 2021
  Kentucky Power, a subsidiary of America Electric Power (AEP), plans to upgrade the electric transmission system in Leslie County through the Wooton–Stinnett Transmission Line Rebuild Project.

• Leyline JV provides financing support for 400 MW/1,400 MWh of battery projects

  July 7, 2021
  Recently, the sector-focused investment group Leyline Renewable Capital, which provides debt and equity capital, has formed a joint venture (JV) with energy infrastructure investment company Starwood Energy Group, to fund the execution of two battery energy storage projects in Virginia and Texas, with a total capacity of 400 MW/1,400 MWh.

• Biden Administration to keep pushing for Bipartisan Framework [free access]

  July 2, 2021
  The White House is continuing to keep up pressure on Congress and push forward the USD1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework—one of the largest long-term investment plans for the US infrastructure sectors, to create a more sustainable and resilient economy.

• US BLM moves forward on 525 kV Greenlink West transmission line

  July 1, 2021
  The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is moving forward on the 525 kV Greenlink West transmission line, as part of Greenlink Nevada—a transmission and renewable energy (RE) initiative, which aims to transform the state’s clean energy landscape, thereby boosting economic development.

• US battery installation commences at world’s biggest solar plus storage project

  July 1, 2021
  The first battery storage components have been installed at the Manatee Energy Storage Center in Florida, US, which is by far, the world’s largest solar PV-plus-storage project under construction.

• GridWise Alliance calls for Congress to make investments in US power grid

  June 29, 2021
  GridWise Alliance—a national organisation, which is part of the Global Smart Grid Federation (GSGF) to promote best practices and help accelerate the deployment of smart grids around the world—recently released a letter to Congressional leaders, urging them to fully fund the GridWise call for atleast USD50 billion in federal spending to modernise the nation's electric power transmission and distribution systems.

• SOO Green selects Prysmian Group for supplying cable for HVDC project, US

  June 25, 2021
  Recently, SOO Green—a limited liability company owned by a consortium of investment funds (led by Denmark’s Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Siemens Energy and New Jersey utility service provider—JIngoli Power), announced that it has selected the Italian cable manufacturer Prysmian Group to provide the cable system for the SOO Green high-voltage direct current (HVDC) Link.

• Biden Administration announces support for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework

  June 24, 2021
  The Biden Administration has announced its support for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework—one of the largest long-term investment plans for the US infrastructure sectors, to create a more sustainable and resilient economy.

• Grid-enhancing technologies advocated to boost renewables in US [free access]

  June 24, 2021
  The Efficient Grid Interconnection Act of 2021 has been recently introduced to expand access to clean energy and reduce grid congestion in the US.

• IEnova plans over 100 MW BESS in Mexico

  June 24, 2021
  Infraestructura Energetica Nova SAB de CV (IEnova) recently announced that it would develop a 100 MW plus battery energy storage system (BESS) in Mexicali (city on US border), Mexico.

• Entergy Mississippi seeks regulatory approval to upgrade 500 kV substation in Mississippi

  June 23, 2021
  Entergy Mississippi Incorporation, a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, filed a petition with the Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC) for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CCN) to expand and upgrade its Franklin 500 kV substation to a breaker-and-a-half bus scheme.

• Basin Electric files proposed findings with North Dakota regulators for 230 kV line

  June 22, 2021
  Recently, the Basin Electric Power Cooperative filed its findings of fact, and conclusions of law and order in relation to its proposed 230 kV Neset to Northshore transmission line, with the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC).

• Recurrent Energy to install 2.3 GWh of energy in California over 2021-22

  June 21, 2021
  Recurrent Energy—a utility-scale solar and energy storage project developer—has recently announced new energy storage projects, contracted to be built in 2021 and 2022.

• EPRI working closely with NYPA on thermal energy storage pilot project

  June 18, 2021
  The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is working closely with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to explore the use of crushed rock thermal energy storage (TES).

• FERC, NARUC to establish Joint Federal-State Task Force on transmission, US

  June 17, 2021
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) recently announced the formation of a joint federal-state task force on electric transmission, which FERC has established through a recent order issued.

• US grid operators brace for record heat wave, power demand spikes

  June 17, 2021
  US electric grid operators and utilities from the Plains to Pacific Ocean are bracing for record temperatures and spiking power demand amidst a regionwide heat wave forecast to create tight capacity conditions.

• MCK becomes strategic partner to Hydro-Québec on transmission project, US

  June 17, 2021
  The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK), governing body for the Kahnawà:ke Mohawk territory in Quebec, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Canadian vertically integrated power utility Hydro-Québec on the Hertel─New York Interconnection Project which aims to export renewable energy from Canada to New York City.

• LG Energy Solutions reveals supply of BESS for commissioned Moss Landing facility

  June 17, 2021
  The South Korean battery and energy storage system manufacturer,LG Energy Solutions, recently revealed that it was the supplier of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and equipment to Vistra Energy’s recently commissioned Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility—which is the world’s largest BESS.

• TransWest Express launches solicitation for Wyoming─Nevada transmission line

  June 11, 2021
  TransWest Express LLC (a wholly-owned affiliate of The Anschutz Corporation, a privately-held company based in Denver) has recently launched an open solicitation for the initial capacity allocation process for the Wyoming─Nevada transmission line.

• Transmission project moves ahead in New Mexico to boost clean power exports

  June 11, 2021
  Federal land managers are moving forward with the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project, which could bring renewable electricity from rural New Mexico to markets in Arizona.