CARMEL, Ind. — A renewable energy trade group has asked MISO to put more thought into how HVDC transmission’s ability to infuse the footprint with more external capacity could influence MISO’s capacity auctions.

The Southern Renewable Energy Association approached MISO and stakeholders at the July 10 Resource Adequacy Subcommittee, asking them to consider that HVDC lines can deposit far-flung generation into MISO’s local resource zones.

“In a lot of ways, this conversation is overdue. … We should be talking more about this,” SREA Transmission Director Andy Kowalczyk said. He said MISO promised more discussion on supply facilitated by HVDC in a FERC docket in 2018, but so far MISO hasn’t engaged stakeholders (ER18-2363).

Kowalczyk said HVDC-enabled capacity in the Planning Resource Auction raises questions over how those resources will clear, be priced and accredited.

He said Grain Belt Express stands to deliver substantial wind energy from Kansas and asked stakeholders to consider if generation carried by HVDC should clear at the zonal price in MISO where the line terminates.

Kowalczyk also said it might make sense for MISO to model increased capability of resources utilizing an HVDC line in its loss of load expectation studies.

He added that he didn’t want to “overhype” HVDC’s capabilities, but said the lines stand to deliver power during critical times. He said an HVDC system could impact the RTO’s reliability planning.

“There aren’t any downsides to exploring this issue and resolving a policy gap,” Kowalczyk said.

The Resource Adequacy Subcommittee agreed by consent to take up the issue at future meetings.