Transmission

High Level
This week’s transmission news tilts toward “faster, cheaper capacity now.” NREL laid out an integrated path to co‑simulate transmission and distribution so planners can right‑size upgrades and unlock hosting capacity where it actually exists. WIRES’ new LEI paper argues for rapid deployment of advanced transmission technologies and innovative practices (ATT+) to squeeze more throughput from existing corridors while long lines are built. In parallel, a Utility Dive op‑ed makes the case for right‑of‑first‑refusal (ROFR) policies to cut months from procurement in a self‑described energy emergency, even as active proceedings highlight cost and competition concerns. Together, the signal is clear: use modeling and proven technologies to add deliverability quickly; scrutinize governance changes like ROFR against real, measurable time‑to‑energization and consumer cost impacts. (Tech Xplore, TDWorld, Wires Group, Utility Dive)

Full View

NREL outlines integrated transmission‑distribution modeling to right‑size upgrades and accelerate capacity decisions
• What happened: NREL’s Aadil Latif detailed how modern planning is moving from siloed bulk‑system studies to coordinated transmission‑distribution co‑simulation, highlighting OpenDSS, PyDSS, HELICS and the upcoming CADET tool for distribution capacity expansion. (Tech Xplore, NREL)
• Who did it: National Renewable Energy Laboratory; author Aadil Latif. (Tech Xplore)
• Why they did it: DER‑driven distribution dynamics now materially affect bulk‑system upgrades; planners need integrated workflows to avoid over‑ or under‑building and to surface the least‑cost congestion relief first. (NREL)
• Stakeholder views:
• “The local distribution system is no longer just a passive delivery system. It is an active, dynamic part of how we generate, use, and balance electricity.” — Aadil Latif, NREL. (NREL)
• What happens next: NREL is advancing CADET for distribution capacity planning and envisions an automated workflow that links capacity expansion, production cost, and power flow models for T and D. Utilities and commissions can incorporate co‑simulation and CADET‑style methods into near‑term planning cycles. (Tech Xplore, NREL)
Sources:
TechXplore, “Grid modeling approaches to bridge the gap between transmission and distribution,” Sept. 4, 2025. (Tech Xplore)
NREL, “A Walk Through the Evolution of Distribution Grid Tools at NREL and Beyond,” Sept. 3, 2025. (NREL)

LEI/WIRES: deploy “ATT+” now to expand capacity, lower delays, and complement new builds
• What happened: London Economics International (for WIRES) published an ATT+ roadmap detailing siting and design innovations, construction techniques, and operational technologies such as advanced conductors, dynamic line ratings, topology optimization, flow controllers, flexible transformers, digital and gas‑insulated substations, drones and robotics. (TDWorld)
• Who did it: London Economics International; commissioned by WIRES. (TDWorld, Wires Group)
• Why they did it: To document real‑world deployments and give regulators and TOs evidence to adopt proven tools that add throughput and resilience without waiting on multi‑year greenfield lines. (TDWorld)
• Stakeholder views:
• “ATT+ is not a substitute for building new transmission lines, but it is an essential complementary ‘tool in the toolbox’ for modernizing the grid.” — WIRES summary of the LEI report. (Wires Group)
• What happens next: The report urges collaborative pilots, forward‑looking planning that credits long‑term ATT+ benefits, regulatory sandboxes, technology‑readiness tracking, and incentive alignment so utilities are rewarded for deploying non‑wires solutions that free capacity quickly. (TDWorld, Wires Group)
Sources:
T&D World, “Transforming Transmission: The Role of Advanced Technologies & Innovative Practices,” Sept. 3, 2025. (TDWorld)
WIRES, “Use of Advanced Transmission Technologies and Innovative Practices in Power Systems,” Aug. 6, 2025. (Wires Group)

ROFR case for speed gains momentum, but active dockets underscore competition and cost risks
• What happened: An opinion piece argues that reinstating right‑of‑first‑refusal can cut procurement time by forgoing competitive solicitations and relying on local utilities to move projects from need identification to construction more quickly during a declared “energy emergency.” (Utility Dive)
• Who did it: Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure’s Benjamin Dierker (opinion). (Utility Dive)
• Why they did it: The author contends competitive bidding under Order 1000 has not consistently delivered savings and often adds months or more to project schedules, while delays carry system‑wide costs and stall interconnection. (Utility Dive)
• Stakeholder views:
• “ROFR policies reduce the timeline to expand infrastructure by eliminating the time to solicit, evaluate, and award bids.” — Benjamin Dierker. (Utility Dive)
• “Illinois has specifically declined to adopt an ROFR statute…” — Illinois Commerce Commission, urging FERC to dismiss Ameren’s petition seeking dibs on two 765‑kV projects, highlighting ongoing legal and cost oversight concerns. (Utility Dive)
• What happens next: Expect further ROFR battles at FERC and in state legislatures and courts, including disputes tied to MISO’s Tranche 2.1 projects. The key policy question remains whether any ROFR authority is paired with guardrails that demonstrate real months saved and protect consumers. (Utility Dive)
Sources:
Utility Dive (Opinion), “Rethinking transmission policy for an energy emergency,” Sept. 2, 2025. (Utility Dive)
Utility Dive, “Illinois regulators, others urge FERC to dismiss Ameren push to build $1.9B in MISO projects,” Aug. 28, 2025. (Utility Dive)

What’s the So What?
The fastest path to put more megawatts on the grid for less money is to operationalize what we already know works — integrated T‑and‑D modeling plus proven ATT+ deployments — while applying strict, time‑and‑cost guardrails to any governance change like ROFR.

The modeling and ATT+ stories are unequivocally good for interconnection outcomes. Co‑simulation and CADET‑style capacity expansion let planners find the cheapest relief first: dynamic line ratings, flow control, advanced conductors, and compact designs in congested corridors. These tools increase transfer capability and hosting capacity in months, not years, and they steer scarce capex to where each MW of deliverability is highest value. That shortens interconnection timelines and reduces re‑studies because upgrade scopes reflect real distribution constraints and controllable transmission bottlenecks. Regulators should require near‑term dockets to: (1) institutionalize T‑and‑D co‑simulation in planning; (2) score ATT+ alongside wires solutions in benefit‑cost tests; and (3) track “MW per month” and “MW per dollar” metrics for all upgrades. (Tech Xplore, TDWorld)

The ROFR debate is more complicated. Speed matters, but speed at any price does not meet the standard of “more MWs faster for less money.” The op‑ed’s claim that ROFR shaves months off procurement is directionally aligned with our goal, but only if those months saved are real, repeatable, and paired with binding cost discipline. Active cases like Ameren’s illuminate the risk: if ROFR crowds out competition without concrete time savings or transparent benchmarking, customers can pay more for the same steel in the field and interconnection relief does not arrive sooner. Our view: if policymakers use ROFR at all, it should be a narrow, temporary tool with strict performance requirements — guaranteed time‑to‑energization milestones, independent cost review, EPC competition, and clawbacks for overruns. Otherwise, keep the focus on ATT+ and integrated planning that demonstrably unlocks capacity quickly. (Utility Dive)

Going into next week, the action item for developers and utilities is to push commissions to adopt an ATT+‑first, co‑simulation‑required posture for near‑term upgrades, with public reporting on MWs of incremental transfer capability delivered per dollar and per month. Use those metrics to evaluate any ROFR proposals. If a change in procurement governance cannot prove that it gets more deliverable MWs online faster and cheaper than existing tools, it is a distraction from the real work.

Bibliography

TechXplore. “Grid modeling approaches to bridge the gap between transmission and distribution.” Sept. 4, 2025. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-grid-approaches-bridge-gap-transmission.html

National Renewable Energy Laboratory. “A Walk Through the Evolution of Distribution Grid Tools at NREL and Beyond.” Sept. 3, 2025. https://www.nrel.gov/news/detail/program/2025/a-walk-through-the-evolution-of-distribution-grid-tools-at-nrel-and-beyond

T&D World (Julia Frayer). “Transforming Transmission: The Role of Advanced Technologies & Innovative Practices.” Sept. 3, 2025. https://www.tdworld.com/overhead-transmission/blog/55313954/transforming-transmission-the-role-of-advanced-technologies-innovative-practices

WIRES. “Use of Advanced Transmission Technologies and Innovative Practices in Power Systems: Potential Benefits, Lessons Learned, and Recommendations.” Aug. 6, 2025. https://wiresgroup.com/use-of-advanced-transmission-technologies-and-innovative-practices-in-power-systems/

Utility Dive (Benjamin Dierker). “Rethinking transmission policy for an energy emergency.” Sept. 2, 2025. https://www.utilitydive.com/news/rofr-transmission-policy-energy-emergency/758662/

Utility Dive (Ethan Howland). “Illinois regulators, others urge FERC to dismiss Ameren push to build $1.9B in MISO projects.” Aug. 28, 2025. https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ameren-illinois-ferc-rofr-transmission-miso/758836/