Current FERC reforms won’t be enough to solve interconnection gridlock: MIT economists

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A group of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology argues in a paper published in the journal Science that the U.S. may not be able to meet its climate goals by 2050 without additional reforms to speed up the interconnection process for renewable energy resources. They suggest that creating a national transmission strategy and reconsidering how transmission costs are allocated are crucial steps to minimize interconnection backlogs and provide economic incentives for renewable energy development.

According to Christopher Knittel, a professor at MIT, the U.S. still faces challenges in fixing its interconnection issues, as existing grid reform policies are not sufficient. The lack of a long-term plan for regional transmission could hinder the maximization of renewable resources, such as moving solar energy efficiently across the country. Knittel also emphasizes the need to allocate transmission costs more effectively to incentivize renewable energy development and streamline interconnection queues, highlighting the importance of incorporating potential costs and benefits of transmission upgrades into planning processes.