With Energy Demand Mounting, South Carolina Leaders Convene on Grid Modernization

To help meet rising energy demand and better deliver electricity to consumers, governments and utilities are increasingly seeking ways to modernize their grids. Some are already solving the challenge with advanced transmission technologies (ATTs)—cost-effective hardware and software that help squeeze more capacity out of the existing electric grid infrastructure.

That was among the key themes of a Feb. 11 stakeholder and policymaker roundtable in Columbia, South Carolina, hosted by The Pew Charitable Trusts and The Council of State Governments.

Throughout the U.S., manufacturing is growing, data centers are booming, and electrification is increasing, all of which is driving a pressing need for more power on the energy grid. Yet throughout the nation there is an estimated 2,600 gigawatt backlog of energy generation projects waiting to be connected to the grid as a result of insufficient and outdated transmission infrastructure.

ATTs are proven ways to modernize the grid by alleviating costly grid congestion, improving resiliency to extreme weather and other threats, and advancing the integration of renewable energy resources to meet demand.

Throughout the country, state lawmakers—including in South Carolina—are considering policies to promote and incentivize ATT use. The roundtable, which included participants representing industry, utilities, energy and consumer advocate NGOs, and state agency officials and lawmakers, proved timely.

South Carolina state Senate President Thomas Alexander (R) opened the forum, emphasizing the importance of technologies that relieve pressure on our energy system. Participants also heard from representatives from two companies on the forefront of ATT innovation: LineVision and TS Conductors.

Installation speed is a key benefit of ATTs, such as dynamic line rating (DLR), which are sensors that allow operators to adjust grid capacity based on weather conditions. In fact, DLRs can be installed on existing transmission infrastructure within nine months and at a fraction of the cost of traditional upgrades and can increase transmission capacity by 50%.

Further benefits of ATTs can be found in the innovative design of advanced conductors—high-performance transmission wires that carry 50% to 110% more capacity than conventional lines. Unlike traditional conductors that are made of aluminum and steel, advanced power lines are made of carbon fibers, which are far lighter and can deliver electricity more efficiently.

As the nation faces an aging electric transmission system—some 70% of the infrastructure is more than 25 years old and approaching the end of its life cycle—the roundtable underscored the need for groundbreaking solutions to the transmission problem even as stakeholders plan for long-term upgrades.

South Carolina is approaching challenges and opportunities presented by increasing energy loads from multiple angles. Staff from SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy—an initiative led by the South Carolina Department of Commerce that focuses on cybersecure grid resilience technologies and improving the clean energy supply chain—commented on their commitment to making the state a hub for companies and utilities interested in developing and testing new technologies.

Just several weeks following the event, TS Conductors announced a major new manufacturing facility located in rural Jasper County, South Carolina, that will employ more than 450 people and produce the very high-performance conductors that stakeholders in the state are considering.

By the end of the roundtable, state leaders and advocates walked away with a better understanding that ATTs are a cost-effective, near-term solution to South Carolina’s mounting energy needs. And with the manufacturing announcement in Jasper County, the Palmetto State is poised to play an active role in their deployment locally and throughout the country.

Zach Bartscherer is a senior officer and Leah Ford is a senior associate with The Pew Charitable Trusts’ energy modernization project.