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transmission - distribution value of re project to utility
Transmission and Distribution Value
All electric power must be transmitted or distributed on wires, even if it is just to a factory next door. The wires that transmit or distribute electricity have a certain rating, or line capacity. When they are operating at capacity, no more electricity can safely be carried on them, at least in the constrained direction. Therefore, energy is more valuable to an electric utility if it can be sited and operated in a way to minimize the distribution or transmission cost of delivering it to customers. (Follow this link to learn more about interconnection issues.) In some cases, strategic siting can even lower overall distribution cost to a utility. A properly sited community renewable project can help to relieve an overloaded subtransmission line by providing power to the load and supporting the line voltage. Unfortunately, there is no single map displaying the location and capacity of electricity lines and the transmission or distribution constraints on the grid. Much of this information is not available to the public or is known only internally by each utility. This makes it particularly important to begin the interconnection process with the local utility as soon as it is feasible.
