Grid Interconnectivity Project Examples

One year into delivery, and projects like Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) are starting to show what “grid transformation at scale” really looks like. At ~505 km, EGL2 is the UK’s largest electricity transmission project, a 2 GW HVDC link (including subsea and onshore sections) designed to move renewable power from Scotland to demand centres in England and help power around 2 million homes. As of April 2026, we’re now firmly in the early delivery phase, with major construction ramping up: - Construction began in 2024 and is progressing across both onshore and offshore elements - Surveys, enabling works and supply chain mobilisation are well underway - HVDC converter stations (effectively mega-substations) are a critical part of delivery But what’s most interesting is what EGL2 represents: ⚡ A shift to HVDC “electricity superhighways” These long-distance, high-capacity links are becoming the backbone of the UK grid. ⚡ Converter stations as the real enablers These are far more than traditional substations- without them, none of this capacity reaches the network. ⚡ From generation problem → transmission problem We’re no longer short of renewable generation. We’re short of the infrastructure to move it. ⚡ Industrial-scale delivery challenge With multiple Eastern Green Links (EGL1–EGL5) and other reinforcements progressing in parallel, supply chain, workforce, and delivery capability are now front and centre. EGL2 is just one project, but it captures the bigger story: 👉 The UK grid isn’t being upgraded. It’s being rebuilt. And if 2025 was about approvals and contracts, 2026 is clearly about delivery gaining momentum. #EnergyTransition #Transmission #HVDC #Substations #Infrastructure #GreatGridUpgrade

As we have all been saying, the grid is no longer just an engineering challenge—it’s the primary bottleneck for the future of AI and the energy transition. The barrier: human and bureaucratic processes. Who has a solution for this? At CERAWeek 2026 this week, the atmosphere has shifted from "How do we decarbonize?" to a much more urgent "How do we plug in?" With interconnection queues stretching 5–10 years and turbine lead times hitting 2030, speed to power is the new global currency. A new wave of "Grid-Tech" companies is moving past legacy manual processes to solve the bottleneck through software, digital twins, and flexible load. Here are the innovators leading the charge to break the logjam: 1. As I wrote in my last post, NVIDIA & Emerald AI’s solution: By treating AI data centers as "virtual batteries," this software allows hyperscalers to bypass years of grid study. Instead of a fixed-load connection, they use AI to dynamically flex power consumption during grid stress. This "flexible interconnection" model could unlock up to 100 GW of capacity by optimizing the grid we already have. 2. Enverus (Pearl Street Technologies)’s solution: Interconnect™ (Study Automation) The manual process of "power flow studies" is a primary cause of queue delays. Enverus is using its SUGAR™ engine to automate these complex reliability simulations, reducing the time required for interconnection studies from months to just a few days. 3. @Tapestry (X, The Moonshot Factory)’s solution: Grid Digital Twin (Visibility) I’ve been excited about Tapestry building a high-fidelity "Google Maps for electrons." By creating a unified digital twin of the grid, they allow operators like PJM to run transient simulations in real-time, identifying exactly where new projects can fit without triggering expensive, time-consuming network upgrades. 4. Neara The Solution: 3D Infrastructure Modeling (Reconductoring) Before building new towers, we must maximize existing ones. Neara’s platform uses 3D digital twins to simulate "reconductoring"—replacing old wires with high-capacity advanced conductors. This allows developers to find "low-hanging fruit" capacity that can be brought online in a fraction of the time. 5. GridStatus The Solution: Real-Time Data Transparency You can't manage what you can't see. GridStatus has become the de facto data layer for the energy transition, providing the real-time transparency into grid congestion and pricing that developers need to site projects where the grid can actually handle them. The technology is ready. The capital is waiting. We need regulatory frameworks to keep pace with these digital solutions. #CERAWeek #CleanTech #EnergyTransition #GridModernization #AI #DataCenters #SpeedToPower

The Role of Interconnectors in Shaping Europe’s Energy Resilience ⚡🌍 Working at Siemens Energy, I’ve had the privilege of contributing personally to one of Europe’s interconnector projects becoming reality: NEMO Link, connecting the UK and Belgium. This HVDC subsea cable interconnector has repeatedly played a role in stabilizing the UK grid—especially the power supply to London—during critical moments. It’s a great example of how cross-border energy infrastructure can prevent blackouts and ensure reliable electricity when domestic generation is under pressure. https://lnkd.in/etT_5FnJ Another powerful example is Viking Link, the world’s longest subsea interconnector between the UK and Denmark. It strengthens energy security, supports decarbonization, and enables the exchange of renewable energy across borders—exactly the kind of infrastructure Europe needs to navigate geopolitical tensions and climate challenges. https://lnkd.in/e4nrBUNH What makes HVDC interconnectors especially powerful is the use of blackstart capabilities, allowing grids to recover from complete outage as in the most recent blackout in Spain and they are, in the future, also providing grid-forming capabilities, which are increasingly vital as we integrate more renewable energy sources. These features make HVDC interconnectors not just connectors—but active enablers of grid resilience and modernization 🔌💡. But resilience isn’t just about capacity—it’s also about security. With recent sabotage attempts on Baltic infrastructure, it’s clear we must treat energy grids as strategic assets. That means investing in physical protection and smart monitoring technologies. The need for more interconnectors is also discussed in the latest EMBER report, “New Lines of Defence: How Interconnectors Keep the Lights On”. It highlights how interconnectors have helped countries like Ukraine and Moldova avoid blackouts and how expanding Europe’s interconnector network is essential to ensure stability, especially during geopolitical or climate-related disruptions. 📄 Read the full report - Security benefits of interconnectors https://lnkd.in/eebQs447 🔗 Learn more about HVDC interconnectors: High-voltage direct current (HVDC) https://lnkd.in/eb6GqgKZ

Good news, Thursday! Or at least Interesting News Thursday! As we know, the interconnection queue is killing clean energy projects - but one Illinois solar farm found a way around it, through a gas plant. Having officially achieved commercial operation on June 9, 2026, Earthrise Energy’s Archtop Solar Project, made up of Gibson City Solar 1 and 2 in Ford County, used MISO’s “surplus interconnection service” process rather than applying for a brand-new grid hookup. Under MISO’s surplus interconnection process, a developer can add new generation behind an existing grid connection as long as the total output stays within the original approved limit. Instead of entering the full, backlogged queue, this allows projects to move through a targeted 180-to-270-day review., though it requires a $150,000 deposit and a strict one-year advance application. Earthrise owns both the Archtop solar project and the Gibson City Energy Center gas peaker, and that peaker plant already held interconnection rights for 237 MW of power. Because peaker plants only run during periods of very high demand, that grid connection sits idle most of the time. The solar project uses that idle capacity. On a typical sunny day, the gas plant is off and the solar farm sends power through the shared connection. Because the solar nameplate capacity (270 MWac) is higher than the gas plant’s 237 MW interconnection rights, the project’s control systems can curtail solar output and coordinate with the gas peaker so the combined injection stays within that 237 MW limit. They also work as a team. If clouds suddenly roll in and the solar power drops, the gas plant can instantly turn on to fill the gap and keep power flowing smoothly. By using the surplus interconnection, Earthrise avoided the long studies and network upgrades that often delay new projects for years. Interconnection is now one of the biggest bottlenecks for clean energy in the U.S., with ~8,200 projects waiting years between request and operation and others dropping out entirely. Earthrise is developing approximately 1.5GW comprising 5 solar projects across Illinois using the same surplus interconnection strategy, making Archtop one of the first large utility-scale solar projects to pair directly with an existing gas peaker in this way. With U.S. electricity demand surging, building brand-new transmission lines takes too long to solve our immediate power needs. The Archtop Solar Project proves that the fastest way to build the grid of the future might be to maximize the infrastructure we already have. By treating idle gas plant connections as open real estate, developers can unlock gigawatts of clean energy without waiting a decade for permission to connect to the grid.

This month, the SunZia Wind and Transmission project enters full commercial operations. It is a monumental milestone. What is most interesting to me is the 550-mile, 525 kV HVDC line delivering 3,000 MW of power across the Desert Southwest. When assessing transmission and utility interconnection feasibility, a lot hinges on three things: constraints, cost, and macro timelines. Apart from the headline, what it took to make this happen is sobering: - 14+ years navigating federal BLM land grants, state land trusts, tribal consultations, and right-of-way battles. - ~3 years of physical civil engineering, tower erection, and line stringing. When the regulatory phase takes nearly five times longer than the engineering and construction of 2,163 transmission towers, the framework is outdated. In a market where data centers and electrification demand gigawatts right now (not to mention the several GWs stuck in existing queues), a multi-decade gauntlet can't remain the baseline. Surely this needs to change. But beyond the regulatory reality, the technical orchestration (by Ulteig and Power Engineers) is a fascinating case study in bulk power physics: - The Multi-Tiered Step-Up: Power moves from a 34.5 kV localized collector network, up through 10 substations to 345 kV, consolidates across a 130-mile gen-tie corridor, and hits a central switchyard to step up to 500 kV AC. - The 525 kV HVDC Pivot: At the SunZia East station, Voltage Source Converter (VSC) tech transforms that power into a 525 kV DC stream. Moving power via direct current eliminates the massive capacitive and inductive line losses of a 550-mile AC run, while drastically shrinking the physical tower footprint and structural steel requirements. - The Endpoint Grid Integration: The line terminates at SunZia West in Arizona, where a matching VSC station drops the power back to 500 kV AC. Crucially, it utilizes islanded "grid-forming" tech to stabilize local voltage frequency before injecting over 2,100 MW directly into the Palo Verde hub to supply CAISO and Southwest utilities. SunZia proves that our engineering teams, EPC partners, and field crews can build massive, highly complex grid infrastructure at a top-tier pace once cleared to break ground. The bottleneck is not our technical or execution capability—it’s the archaic regulatory process. If we want a modern grid that matches current demand and competition, deep regulatory reform is necessary. Yet, what a fascinating engineering and infrastructure milestone!

Accelerating Clean Energy Through Collaboration ~ The Joint Transmission Interconnection Queue (JTIQ) Framework The path to a more sustainable energy future requires innovative solutions and collaboration across the energy sector. A shining example of this is the Joint Transmission Interconnection Queue (JTIQ) framework, a partnership between MISO and SPP, designed to streamline renewable energy integration and enhance grid reliability. In October 2023, the JTIQ framework gained significant momentum with a $464 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and $1.3 billion in utility investments, reflecting a robust financial and collaborative commitment to improving energy infrastructure. Since then, the progress has been remarkable: ~November 2024: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the JTIQ transmission plans, paving the way for five 345-kV transmission projects along the MISO-SPP seam. These projects will enable the integration of approximately 29 GW of new renewable generation capacity and are expected to begin coming online by 2031. ~Ongoing Impact: These developments continue to address critical transmission constraints, enhance grid reliability, and promote the efficient interconnection of renewable energy resources. Why This Matters for the Entire Country The JTIQ framework’s impact extends far beyond the MISO-SPP region, shaping the energy landscape across the United States: ~JTIQ demonstrates how to overcome transmission bottlenecks, offering a scalable solution for other regions to integrate renewable energy more efficiently. ~Enhancing grid connectivity supports a stable, resilient energy network, setting a standard for modernization nationwide. ~ Production cost savings from JTIQ projects can translate to lower electricity prices for consumers, benefiting households and businesses across the country. ~The success of federal and private sector collaboration in JTIQ provides a replicable model for financing large-scale energy infrastructure. ~JTIQ highlights how Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) can work together to solve complex challenges, paving the way for a more unified national grid. Key Outcomes ~Unlocking vast renewable energy potential. ~Delivering billions in savings through improved grid efficiency. ~Strengthening grid resilience and supporting energy transition goals. The JTIQ framework underscores the importance of forward-thinking strategies to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving energy landscape. Together, we can build a cleaner, more reliable energy future. What are your thoughts on the progress made by the JTIQ framework, and how do you see it shaping the future of energy? Let’s discuss! #RenewableEnergy #GridInnovation #Collaboration #Leadership #Sustainability #EnergyTransition #PublicPrivatePartnerships #GridModernization #EnergyLeadership #seetheopportunityineverydifficulty

National Grid publishes revised plans for UK-Netherlands LionLink interconnector National Grid Ventures (NGV) has published a refined set of proposals for LionLink, a planned subsea and underground electricity interconnector that would link an offshore wind farm and cross‑border transmission between the UK and the Netherlands. The company has opened an eight‑week statutory consultation on the updated designs, running from 13 January to 10 March 2026, ahead of a formal application for a development consent order (DCO). LionLink is being promoted by NGV as an integrated project combining offshore wind generation with international interconnection in a single cable system. Its promoters say the scheme would be capable of transmitting up to 2GW of power a quantity NGV equates to the capacity to supply roughly 2.5M British homes and that combining generation and interconnection could reduce the number of separate shore landings, lower infrastructure costs and increase grid flexibility. The latest proposals centre on a landfall at Walberswick on the Suffolk coast, underground and offshore high‑voltage direct current (HVDC) cables from the shore to the UK exclusive economic zone (EEZ) boundary, a converter station east of Saxmundham, underground high‑voltage alternating current (HVAC) cables to an existing grid connection point at Kiln Lane substation north of Friston and associated temporary and permanent works. Key elements are: **Landfall at Walberswick with a transition joint bay and trenchless crossing works to avoid surface disturbance at the beach. **Approximately 20km of underground HVDC cables from Walberswick to the proposed converter station east of Saxmundham, with the corridor presented in the consultation with western and eastern route options. **A converter station east of Saxmundham, with a potential 8.1ha footprint and buildings up to about 26m high. **Underground HVAC cables from the converter station to Kiln Lane substation; two route options remain under consideration. **Offshore HVDC cable corridor of about 182km across the North Sea to the EEZ boundary and onwards towards the Dutch converter station and wind farm. www.newcivilengineer.co.uk

With rising electricity demand pressure from large loads, such as data centers, stakeholders are rising to circumvent current processes to propel the grid forward in multiple RTO regions. I have captured two examples – from PJM and SPP – to be helpful to us all as we think on this topic: 1. PJM is proposing another class of generators that can bypass the traditional generator interconnection queue, through an Expedited Interconnection Track (EIT). EIT projects must be greater than 500 megawatts (MW) in size; they can be any fuel type, including storage, but must be sponsored by a PJM state. Among other requirements, EIT projects must be interconnected at a transmission substation in the state that sponsors them. More to be analyzed on this process, and I’m sure stakeholders are weighing in. https://lnkd.in/ev5aSUPZ 2. SPP’s new policy is called High-Impact Large Loads (HILLs), which introduces accelerated study processes, conditional service options, and a coordinated path for evaluating large loads paired with new generation. We are watching this one as well and hoping it will be a good model. https://lnkd.in/ewVSmwdK

Amazing! “The story began with Emerald’s Phoenix load flexibility pilot, involving Oracle, Nvidia, Emerald AI, and the utility Salt River Project, and also a DC Flex flagship demonstration. The leap to the Aurora announcement, a live innovation hub, signals that the tech ecosystem is serious about getting this done. AI factories can align with grid needs to relieve peak stress and improve utilization of the power network. It will work like this: Several software and hardware features will work together to enable a tight coordination between the grid and the data center’s controls, with Emerald AI’s platform serving as the grid-facing control layer. Grid and operator conditions feed into Emerald, which translates them for the data center building’s management systems and ultimately, the compute stack. In tech speak, Emerald’s GridLink and Conductor integrate with Nvidia’s AI Enterprise stack and Mission Control to coordinate workload scheduling and power management so the facility can dial demand when the grid needs it — while maintaining acceptable Quality of Service for training and inference. To validate this, EPRI’s DCFlex Initiative will run demonstration testing, measuring precise, real-time responses to simulated grid-stress events like summer heatwaves or sudden drops”