Nicholas Oberski, P.E.

Starting your 2025 sales plan for major overhead and underground HV and EHV transmission projects? Look here, but remember routing and permitting lead times for some of these projects have been over 10 years. We need better policy and technical solutions to expedite the build out. Federal policies break down quickly on a state by state and local basis. We engineers should offer solutions built around technologies like underground, super conductors, advanced (composite core) conductors , DLR, rigorous FERC 881 compliance and compact designs (like BOLD). More capacity from existing rights-of-way is a megatrend and the solution for our immediate transmission needs. Do you agree? Thanks. Mike #pdi2 #innovation #transmission

23

2 Comments

PJM recently tested its ability to temporarily reduce voltage in order to practice and validate an emergency procedure used to ease system conditions under extreme circumstances. Kevin Hatch, PJM Sr. Manager – Dispatch, said PJM conducted the test of its Voltage Reduction Action on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15. The procedure involves PJM ordering voltage reductions on the distribution system in order to reduce the strain on the transmission system during times of heavy electricity usage, which reduces the distribution voltage and the amount of power being used. The effects are not noticeable to most people and equipment. PJM has not implemented a Voltage Reduction Action in response to real-time conditions since the Polar Vortex of January 2014. The purpose of the August test was to verify the level at which this procedure can reduce system load while also exercising transmission owners’ ability to implement it. Read more at PJM Inside Lines. https://lnkd.in/ekZCx9Rb

241

10 Comments

“Given our nation’s surge in electricity demand, we see the potential for landmark projects to be the future backbone of a resilient grid,” says Leslie M. Duke, chair and CEO. To help the U.S. maintain reliable electricity during the rapid expansion of renewable energy and nationwide load growth, we’re announcing an alliance with South Korea’s Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) to support the development of 765-kV transmission line and substation projects. KEPCO’s decades of experience and operation of one of three global 765-kV testing facilities are essential for advancing transmission networks and meeting future energy demands. Learn more about the alliance. https://hubs.li/Q02PknDL0 #Power #Utilities

5

🔔 For those who've missed it, PJM Interconnection posted last week a very neat infographic showing the status of their queue. Something I found interesting is that PJM shared they've cleared around 40 GW of new generation to connect to the grid that has not yet started construction. According to PJM, nothing from their end is holding these projects back, but yet they sit idle due to financing, siting or supply chain issues. This also aligns with the recent post made by Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) where they flagged 50 GW of approved generation projects that are in various stages of completion with many still awaiting construction due to similar problems flagged by PJM. If you're a developer in this situation, it would be great to learn more about the challenges you are facing.

65

2 Comments

FERC has approved NERC’s revised ROP to identify and register unregistered IBRs connected to the Bulk-Power System by May 2026, addressing a reliability gap associated with the increasing integration of IBRs on the grid. The new Category 2 GO/GOP will apply to entities owning or operating IBRs with an aggregate nameplate capacity of 20 MVA and above and are connected to 60 kV and above. 🔍 Impact: 📈~14% increase in visibility of existing IBRs. ✅~98% of IBRs will comply NERC Reliability Standards, on par with conventional resources. ⚡This strengthens the reliability and resilience of our electric grid. For further reading: https://lnkd.in/g-Czbj4D #Energy #FERC #NERC #IBR #GridManagement #EnergyTransition

9

Check out my article for a deeper dive into how storage technology transforms grid management. In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have become essential for building a resilient, reliable, and efficient power grid. I recently published a technical article diving into BESS's diverse applications and technical considerations to enhance grid performance and address the challenges of fluctuating demand and renewable integration. Key topics covered: 1️⃣ Electric Energy Time-Shift (Arbitrage) - Storing low-cost energy for peak periods to stabilize costs and maximize renewable usage. 2️⃣ Electric Supply Capacity - BESS as a solution to defer costly central station investments. 3️⃣ Regulation Services - How BESS supports grid frequency amid changing demands. 4️⃣ Spinning & Supplemental Reserves - Providing essential backup power during disruptions. 5️⃣ Voltage Support - Enhancing grid reliability with reactive power replacement. 6️⃣ Black Start Capability - Enabling transmission restoration post-blackout. With BESS, we're shaping a more sustainable and resilient energy future! 💡 #BatteryStorage #EnergyStorage #GridReliability #BESS #EnergyManagement #SustainableEnergy #PowerGrid #Renewables

15

1 Comment

Interregional transmission can provide many benefits -- yet power markets and grid operating practices are not set up to fully capture these benefits. This new report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the DOE Grid Deployment Office lays out the barriers that need to be addressed to realize the full value of existing and new interregional transmission: https://lnkd.in/ekzximcU One of the necessary steps to improve seams-related inefficiencies is "intertie optimization," which we addressed here: https://lnkd.in/ew3QtcpQ and here: https://lnkd.in/dptXMG3t Great work by Christina Simeone, PhD and Amy Rose! #gridmodernization

72

2 Comments

Marco Tozzi, Director of Asset Performance at Camlin Energy, sheds light on their integrated approach—combining software, sensors, and services—to tackle one of the power sector’s critical challenges: the risk of transformer failure. As infrastructure ages and lead times for new transformers increase, Camlin Energy is stepping in with proactive support, from specification reviews and factory audits to continuous monitoring. This comprehensive approach helps reduce failure risks, extend asset lifespan, and ensure reliability for their customers. Curious to hear more? Watch the full interview for Marco’s expert insights: https://lnkd.in/dBErDWab

26

In the final clip from our technology showcase with Transformer Technology our Asset Performance director Marco Tozzi caught up with Ben Lanz. During their discussion Marco highlights the challenges in managing the life cycle of transformers, emphasizing that asset risk begins right from specification and design. He then discusses how the integration of sensor software and experts can combine to help ensure optimized performance and maximize the working life of the transformer.

45

1 Comment

 🚀PJM Transition Cycle #1 Results and Decision Point #1 Start🚀 Exciting news! Today, PJM posted the results for 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞 #𝟏 (𝐓𝐂𝟏) 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲. To connect 45.5GW Energy and 27.7GW of Capacity, the cluster study identified approximately $10 billion in reliability network upgrades, predominantly in Dominion and ComEd, where around 60% of MW from the queue plans to connect. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭, 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 #𝟏 (𝐃𝐏𝟏) 𝐤𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟 and will run for 30 days. During this crucial period, project developers will need to decide whether to continue, withdraw, or make permissible modifications to their projects. EPE is here to support you through this critical phase. Our services include: • Comprehensive review of your project's study results; • Replication of study results and assessment of network upgrade cost risks with queue changes; • Support for project modifications and development of updated dynamic models according to PJM’s Dynamic Modeling Development Guidelines; • Assistance with meeting DP1 requirements. Stay tuned for another update as our EPE team delves deeper into the results and offers additional insights. If you’re a project developer seeking assistance, please contact myself, Horea Catanase, or anyone in the Electric Power Engineers team.

40

Another missed opportunity to improve resilience and community good will. This Puget Sound Energy 230kV line upgrade was very controversial https://lnkd.in/epSUBNTV with the utility claiming a “critical need” as far back as 2013. The neighborhoods wanted the line underground….not to be. In time, utilities will start to evaluate “the total cost of ownership” of transmission and distribution lines that might include the lost revenue customers have during extended outages, the internal costs of YEARS of fighting with your franchise granting communities, and the significant advances in UG technology that reduces construction costs and, according to FERC 1 https://lnkd.in/etxbWdA6 reports filed by all IOU’s, has lower O&M costs. Planners, engineers and data scientists take note. Be sure to evaluate all your options. Thanks. Mike #pdi2 #underground #totalcostofownership

15

Additional stress being placed on grid transformers is contributing to outages and higher distribution charges as utilities are forced to upgrade and replace transformers. Studies have found that sub-metering behind the meter results in 35% less usage; and transformer monitoring can result in intelligent transformer maintenance preventing outages.

6

1 Comment

Check out my blog post "Managing Change: Transitioning to a New Eddy Current Testing Vendor in Power Plants" https://wix.to/P72Yhde #newblogpost

5

6 Comments

Excellent article by Jeff St. John! Even though US transmission owners have been investing more than ever in grid infrastructure (over $25 billion annually), bottlenecks in the power grid are preventing the US from meeting surging demand and interconnecting the necessary new resources. Good news is that we do have tools to address these challenges: more proactive planning, grid enhancing technologies, and improved generator interconnection processes! (See, for example, https://lnkd.in/d-BhHaXF, https://lnkd.in/e8vSr4V7, and https://lnkd.in/e7VpYVvj) https://lnkd.in/e7BaRV7S

69

6 Comments

Great high level article by Sonal Patel in Power Magazine about all the action in the #transmission energy sector. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eEWhQv99

4

We're having a heatwave in PJM Interconnection - As extreme weather accelerates, PJM needs to fix interconnection and allow new, clean resources to come online. When it comes to adding new electricity sources, the nation’s largest grid operator, which serves 13 states from Illinois to Virginia, is stuck in the mud. Solar, wind and battery projects can’t get connected to the grid, and that poses are severe threat to reliability when extreme heat (or cold) hits. https://lnkd.in/ea3tKpvZ

1

What if distributed energy resources could communicate and cooperate at the speed of thought? Imagine the possibilities. Locally-generated and shared power. Self-forming grids. Simple, scalable energy solutions. At SYNCRIS, our technical team is already delivering microgrid hardware with response times that are 10,000 times faster than industry, and we know that we can go even faster. Perhaps as fast as the neurons in your brain. And if that doesn't get you thinking... #grid_of_tomorrow #clean_energy_transition #we_got_this

15

1 Comment

The compliance deadline for FERC Order 881 is coming soon, and it’s bringing big changes for electric utilities. The shift to hourly ambient adjusted ratings (AAR) will improve capacity calculations, boost grid efficiency, and potentially reduce costs for consumers. Want to discuss how these updates could impact your operations? Let’s connect! Learn more about how this regulation is reshaping the grid. https://hubs.li/Q030ZLT30. 

9