On the Road to Increased Transmission Series

NREL is researching ways to increase power transmission capacity in the United States to help the U.S. transition to a clean energy future.

The On the Road to Increased Transmission series features articles and a video that explain the necessary upgrades and expansion the U.S. transmission system needs to carry larger amounts of clean energy across longer distances. NREL proposed four options that could help meet future electricity demands.

Options

Dynamic Line Ratings

Line rating is the maximum amount of electricity that a transmission line can safely carry. Dynamic line ratings are adjustments to line ratings based on weather conditions. Dynamic line ratings provide one way to increase transmission on the U.S. grid while cutting costs and improving reliability.

Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems

Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems provides a way to steer electricity to less less congested transmission lines, like a navigation app.

Higher-Voltage Alternating Current

Upgrading the U.S. transmission system with higher-voltage alternating current lines can help tap into more clean energy resources. These higher-voltage lines can carry a lot more electricity load than lower-voltage lines. One line upgraded with double the voltage can carry four-times the amount of power.

High-Voltage Direct Current

Building more high voltage direct current transmission lines could better connect solar and wind energy to the U.S. grid. High-voltage direct current lines are more cost-effective at transmitting electricity very long distances, in part because these lines can be controlled through converter stations. In addition, the two lines of DC versus three lines of AC allow high-voltage direct current lines to have a smaller footprint while carrying the same amount of electricity.

Series Articles

On the Road to Increased Transmission: Dynamic Line Ratings, NREL News (2024)

On the Road to Increased Transmission: Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems, NREL News (2024)

On the Road to Increased Transmission: Higher-Voltage Alternating Current, NREL News (2024)

On the Road to Increased Transmission: High-Voltage Direct Current, NREL News (2024)

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