CARMEL, Ind. — System planners last week emphasized that MISO won’t analyze its second portfolio of long-range transmission projects (LRTP) with any preconceived notions.
Matt Tackett, principal adviser of expansion planning, told stakeholders during a Jan. 27 workshop that MISO’s current project map is not a final proposal. He said it’s a “starting point for analysis,” repeating that phrase for emphasis.
Tackett said the concept map was based on “qualitative future considerations” and that a final second portfolio could morph into something entirely different.
“This is a work in progress. It could change before we even begin the analysis,” he said. “Please don’t interpret this as a final proposal or even speculation at what a final proposal could look like.
“We must consider the fact that we’re under a new operating scenario in the future,” Tackett said, adding that the RTO’s resource mix and load profile will be different in future years and generation dispatch will be more volatile.
MISO late last year debuted a conceptual map of a second Midwestern LRTP portfolio that planners said could cost up to $30 billion. (See MISO Staff Preview New LRTP Projects with Board.)
“It goes without saying that this is a major effort … to further our reliability imperative and effectuate our ongoing fleet change,” Jarred Miland, senior manager of transmission planning coordination, said.
He said any projects staff eventually recommend will have “benefits that far exceed costs.” He promised more information in the coming months on reliability and economic modeling that will inform future decisions.
Clean Grid Alliance’s Natalie McIntire said the first LRTP portfolio’s projects are likely already spoken for, given the amount of renewable generation coming online. She urged that MISO “cast a wide net” for its second effort.
Staff said they haven’t foreclosed the possibility of a 765-kV or an HVDC line in the second portfolio. They also said they are currently drafting benefit definitions for the portfolio’s possible cost allocation. MISO will share the definitions for stakeholder review this spring when the analysis is complete. (See MISO to Test Long-range Tx Allocation Benefits.)
During a Jan. 24 Regional Expansion Criteria and Benefits Working Group meeting, Sustainable FERC Project attorney Lauren Azar said the grid operator is running out of time to finalize and file a cost-allocation approach for the third cycle of LRTP projects, which will focus on MISO South.
Azar said a continuation of the postage stamp rate allocation would be acceptable if MISO and stakeholders fail to propose another, more specific allocation.
“I’m fine if we don’t end up with a new cost allocation, but I know other stakeholders aren’t,” she said. “I would strongly urge them to present proposals.”
Southern Renewable Energy Association’s Andy Kowalczyk asked whether MISO will be able to devise an allocation by June.
Milica Geissler, the RTO’s cost allocation specialist, said the answer was a “Yes, and.” She said an allocation design is contingent on compelling suggestions from stakeholders and ideas proposed in upcoming meetings.
