The Case for Macrogrids
My friends at Energy Central published an interesting article on the virtues of so-called “macrogrids.” It’s essentially a concept that deploys technologies and processes designed to improve long-distance transmission efficacy, thereby reducing costs and enhancing reliability. But are macrogrids viable?
How Macrogrids Could Reduce Power Outages
Obviously, the polar opposite of a macrogrid is the isolated grid concept that ERCOT operates in Texas. We all know how that structure faired in Feb. 2021, so now is a natural time to look at the alternative.
One of the most obvious benefits of macrogrids is that they have connection points that, during times of need, enable the importing of electricity from other areas that have not been hard hit by the outage-causing event. As we all know, Texas was unable to import electricity to offset its supply shortage due to the isolated nature of the state’s grid. Simply put, Texas had no backup.
In addition to widespread interconnectivity, macrogrids also feature improved and better-hardened equipment and components. Long-distance transmission infrastructure is susceptible to storm damage just like any transmission and distribution network, so it must be designed to be resilient. This could include things like poles built from stronger materials, and burying major high-voltage transmission links.
Another potential benefit, according to multiple research studies, is that larger transmission grids could help increase the percentage of renewable energy that can be integrated into the grid, helping address climate change concerns by lowering the cost associated with reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Sounds like a slam dunk, right? Not so fast! Transmission infrastructure is very expensive to build, and is extremely time-consuming due to the need to satisfy various external parties on projects that span long swaths of land.
In my personal opinion, although I like the idea behind macrogrids, I’m not sure how practical they are at this point. Although they seem to offer tremendous benefits, the quantification of these benefits probably needs real-world case studies to be reliable enough to justify a project that will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per mile to build.
