Prepare to meet the challenges in regional transmission planning and development

FERC Order No. 1000 requires regional transmission planning to consider and evaluate transmission alternatives and produce more efficient and cost effective regional transmission plans. The Order also removes any federal right of first refusal (ROFR) for new transmission facilities selected for regional cost allocation. This Order will greatly increase competition in transmission planning and development to address significant new transmission investment needs at higher value and lower cost. In this paper, we first review the FERC Order 1000 background and transmission competitive processes in different regions. Then, two real-world examples of developing regional transmission plans are presented. The first example is the development of an optimal and competitive transmission plan for the delivery of large amount of wind energy from a remote region to load centers. The second example is the development of integrated regional transmission projects to meet a needed increase of transfer capability for export of hydro power and wind energy, and also enhance system reliability. Important transmission planning aspects of developing and selecting regional plans are described in detail, including: (1) identifying projects, (2) screening projects, (3) planning in a weak grid, (4) reliability analysis, (5) economical benefit analysis, and (6) final selection of projects.