Hitachi Energy and Grid United to strengthen US grid
The planned transmission projects should connect the eastern and western regional power grids in the US.
Image credit: Hitachi Energy
Switzerland, Zürich: Hitachi Energy and Grid United, an independent electrical transmission company, have announced a collaboration to deliver high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology for Grid United transmission projects that will interconnect the eastern and western regional power grids in the US. The projects should boost transmission capacity across the US to support the need for smooth sharing of power between energy markets at a time of increasing demand for electricity.
Long-distance transmission lines are key in delivering low-cost energy from areas with access to abundant supply to areas with high demand. The projects will help overcome one of the most persistent bottlenecks in the energy transition in the US by bridging the east-west divide and will play an important role in supporting the government’s commitment to accelerating the energy transition and specific stated priorities of the US Department of Energy.
Under an approach known as a capacity reservation agreement, Hitachi Energy will provide HVDC technology to support the development of multiple Grid United HVDC interconnections, which will help mitigate the impact of extreme events and accommodate the growing demand for electricity. The companies are exploring potential projects to further strengthen the grid.
Hitachi Energy will apply its new business model which enables speed and scale in the supply chain and can help streamline the development process to help accelerate the energy transition. This multi-contract framework is one of the first of new business models for the US. This approach allows the company to increase manufacturing capacity, expand and train the workforce, and maximize standardization to increase efficiency between successive projects.
The new interconnections will provide long-term economic benefits to communities across the country by facilitating the sharing of energy resources between power grids, alleviating network congestion and increasing grid resilience and flexibility, thus mitigating the impact of extreme weather events.
Source: Hitachi Energy