Laser Sensors Are Faster, Cheaper Than Building New Transmission Lines in Aiding Climate Crisis
Most electricity systems still use fossil fuels and must be upgraded to reduce carbon emissions. Fortunately, there's an easier way to make the electric grids greener by using laser sensors.
Laser Sensors for Greener Electric Grids Amdi Climate Crisis
Rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is necessary to address the climate catastrophe. Yet, thousands of wind and solar projects face multi-year wait times to connect to transmission lines. According to the REPEAT Project, which Princeton University runs, the U.S. needs to increase transmission capacity by 43% by 2035 to meet its targets for drastically reducing global warming pollution. However, building new transmission lines will take a long time and cost much money.
Jon Marmillo, co-founder of LineVision, the manufacturer of the laser sensors, said that's where laser sensors are helpful. Utilities may be able to transfer more renewable electricity via the wires if they use sensors to obtain real-time information on their power lines.
The technology is one of the many breakthroughs that could allow the United States to expand its grid capacity more quickly and affordably than by adding new transmission lines.
According to Allison Clements, a commissioner on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, which oversees the interstate transmission of power, states, and the federal government are considering additional incentives and potential mandates for these technologies. She said it's a fantastic opportunity to get more power from the current transmission system at a cheaper cost and much faster speed. In Clements' opinion, some of the technology is "no-brainer."
However, according to Rob Gramlich, president of the consulting firm Grid Strategies, experts are concerned that monopoly utilities would delay because of how they are motivated to make money.
Gramlich claimed that occasionally, the more affordable the technology, the more difficult it is to convince utilities to implement it.
Carbon-Free Electricity Program
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is working on a carbon-free electricity program. It wants to speed up the transition to clean electricity worldwide. The institute is dedicated to analyzing and supporting international utilities and regulators, demonstrating that clean energy portfolios are the most valuable resource.
It has also established the best practices for wholesale market design and provides grid system planners the authority to support significant renewable energy penetration. Additionally, RMI wants to create utility decarbonization pathways, collaborate on "lighthouse" cases, and aid campaigners and regulators in enacting strict laws.
Building additional transmission lines is still necessary, according to Mathias Einberger, manager of the carbon-free electricity program at RMI's energy research firm. He admitted that the strategy could take years, even a decade or more.
He suggests "grid enhancing technologies" or "advanced transmission technologies." According to him, the two techniques can help speed the transition to renewable energy by making the existing grids and new transmission lines work more efficiently. Plus, they are reportedly cheap and easy to deploy.
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