The Oceantic Network’s Proposal for Coordinated Transmission Development for Offshore Wind in Multi-State RTOs outlines a framework for greater regional collaboration on offshore wind transmission planning and buildout. The policy brief, authored by John Dalton, President of Power Advisory LLC and head of the Network’s Grid & Transmission Working Group, was released ahead of the expected published results of New Jersey’s offshore wind transmission solicitation to connect 7.5 GW of generation to the grid. The brief builds upon the evident success of the state’s transmission solicitation, which spurred dozens of private sector bids, and offers a framework for multi-state transmission solicitations within the same regional transmission organization (RTO).
The policy brief outlines five key principles to developing a multi-state transmission solicitation, from accessing potential environmental and economic benefits to developing cost allocation proposals. Key insights, especially learning from New Jersey’s State Agreement Approach, include the need for proactive engagement of an RTO, the need for a robust analysis of potential costs and benefits, and a well-defined policy objectives to guide any solicitation.
This is the third publication of the Network’s Grid & Transmission Working Group, which previously laid out the need for coordinated transmission planning and argued federal government action would be instrumental in driving long-term and large-scale grid planning in its first two reports.
Download the Coordinated Transmission Development for Offshore Wind in Multi-State RTOs