Electric Transmission 101: How the Grid Works
Channel: eesionline
Date: 10/07/2013

Learn more and download slides at http://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/070913transmission
Table of contents: http://youtu.be/C8wCAbuSzUE?t=15s

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and WIRES (Working group for Investment in Reliable and Economic electric Systems) held a briefing about the operational basics of high-voltage transmission to help explain the complex economic and policy challenges facing the grid in the 21st century.

By delving into the grid's operation and the interstate markets for bulk power it supports, the briefing was designed to provide a foundation for discussions about cost responsibility, land use issues, transmission planning, integration of variable renewable energy resources, and other issues that are becoming more important to the future of the power industry.
 
Jim Hoecker, Counsel to WIRES and former FERC Chairman, Husch Blackwell LLP (Moderator)
Video: http://youtu.be/C8wCAbuSzUE?t=2m5s
Slides: http://www.eesi.org/files/070913_Jim_Hoecker.pdf

Wayne Galli, Executive Vice President, Transmission and Technical Services, Clean Line Energy Partners
Video: http://youtu.be/C8wCAbuSzUE?t=11m2s
Slides: http://www.eesi.org/files/070913_Wayne_Galli.pdf

Jeff Dennis, Director, Division of Policy Development, Office of Energy Policy and Innovation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Video: http://youtu.be/C8wCAbuSzUE?t=33m57s
Slides: http://www.eesi.org/files/070913_Jeff_Dennis.pdf

Jay Caspary, Director of Research and Development and Special Studies, Southwest Power Pool
Video: http://youtu.be/C8wCAbuSzUE?t=55m22s
Slides: http://www.eesi.org/files/070913_Jay_Caspary.pdf

David Cook, Senior Counsel, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
Video: http://youtu.be/C8wCAbuSzUE?t=1h7m6s
Slides: http://www.eesi.org/files/070913_David_Cook.pdf

Fostering investment in electric transmission infrastructure is among the nation's highest energy priorities as a strong grid facilitates the development of alternative generation resources, is more resistant to storms, lowers electricity costs to consumers, promotes a liquid wholesale power market with minimal congestion and market power, improves reliability and energy security, and advances energy independence overall. Investments in the grid also create good, stateside jobs. The United States is likely to invest more than $300 billion in electric transmission during the next 20 years.

The barriers to the further development of transmission capacity have become so highly visible that President Obama released a memorandum on June 7 establishing energy corridors that should facilitate new transmission projects on federal lands. Previously, FERC Order 1000, issued in July 2011, had set out strong steps to promote regional and interregional transmission planning.