NY Approves Two Large Transmission Projects to Move Wind, Solar & Hydropower

New York State approves contracts supporting $13.2bn of the transmission/renewable investments totaling 2,550 MW and including imports from Quebec; Minnesota’s Dept. of Transportation says buried HVDC transmission is cost-effective and can be feasibly cited in interstate and highway rights of way; FERC issues transmission NOPR; CAISO notches new renewables record on 4/3 at 97%; U.S. wind energy beats out both coal and nuclear generation on the same day for the first time; GE opens R&D facility to 3D print concrete bases for higher wind towers; DOE and partners announce MOU to work on a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) strategy; Hyundai to introduce EV equipped with V2G technology.

1) NY approves two clean energy contracts for 2,550 MW of renewables/transmission, totaling $13.2 bn of investment. The Clean Path New York project includes 20 in-state wind and solar projects and a 175 mile, 1,300 MW underground line to supply NYC. The Champlain Hudson Power Express project will bring some wind but mostly hydropower from Quebec to NYC

2) Minnesota Dept. of Transportation releases report finding buried HVDC transmission on interstate highways both feasible and cost-effective

3) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issues long-awaited notice of public rule making on transmission, addressing challenges in planning and cost allocation

4) California grid hits record 97% renewable energy at 3:39 p.m on 4/3

5) Total U.S. wind power output surpasses coal and nuclear on the same day for first time (on 3/29) w/turbines generating 2,017 gigawatt hours

6) GE inaugurates New York R&D facility to 3D print concrete bases for taller wind turbine towers, joining w/printer co COBOD and cement maker Lafarge Holcim in the effort

7) Department of Energy and partners announced a vehicle-to-everything V2X MOU to accelerate vehicle to grid/facility progress

8) Hyundai announces onboard Ioniq 5 charger will be capable of bidirectional charging, and a new EV will be equipped with foundational V2G technology