In a recent news release, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley from Illinois commended the Biden Administration’s efforts to strengthen America’s electric grid. Quigley, who serves as Co-Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, emphasized the importance of preparing the grid to meet the increasing energy demands resulting from various factors such as onshoring of manufacturing, AI and data centers, and the electrification of the economy.
Quigley highlighted the role of advanced grid technologies in enhancing transmission lines’ capacity to carry more power, reduce costs, and improve the reliability of the transmission network. He expressed his satisfaction with the Biden Administration’s recognition of the need to fortify the grid and leverage investments made in clean energy effectively.
In 2020, Quigley requested the Department of Energy to conduct a case study on the reliability, resilience, and economic benefits of technologies like power flow control, topology optimization, and Dynamic Line Ratings. This study was included in the Fiscal Year 2020 Energy and Water Appropriations report language and contributed to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s mandate for expanded use of these technologies. Quigley has continued to advocate for further studies to explore the impact of increased bulk transmission efficiency and Dynamic Line Rating technology on retail power rates.
Overall, Quigley believes that investing in modern grid technologies is essential for ensuring a reliable and efficient energy infrastructure that can support America’s growing needs.