The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a draft roadmap to address interconnection challenges on the transmission grid and seeks feedback from the public before releasing a final version.
DOE convened a broad group of clean energy stakeholders through its Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) to develop the roadmap, which is intended to serve as a practical guide for implementing near- and long-term solutions to interconnect clean energy sources and to clear the existing backlog of solar, wind and battery projects seeking to get built.
New clean energy projects are subject to complicated approval processes before they come online. The high volume of projects seeking interconnection has led to uncertainties, delays, inequities, and added costs for developers, consumers, utilities, and their regulators.
The i2X draft roadmap provides decision makers with a set of pathways organized around four goals to rapidly, equitably, and reliably deploy clean energy resources:
- Increase data access and transparency
- Improve process and timing
- Promote economic efficiency
- Maintain a reliable grid.
DOE has released a request for information (RFI) to solicit input from interconnection stakeholders on the challenges and solution sets outlined in the roadmap. Grid operators, utilities, state and local governments, Tribal governments and utilities, clean energy developers, energy justice organizations, nonprofits, trade associations, and other i2X stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback. Responses are due by November 22, 2023.
DOE expects to finalize the transmission roadmap and release a draft second volume that focuses on the distribution grid in the coming months.
i2X is an initiative of DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office and Wind Energy Technology Office.
