U.S. Representative Mike Quigley from Illinois, Co-Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, applauded the Biden Administration’s efforts to strengthen America’s electric grid. The announcement included initiatives aimed at expanding the use of modern grid technologies such as high-performance conductors and dynamic line ratings, which Quigley has been advocating for since 2019.
Quigley emphasized the importance of preparing the electric grid to meet the increasing energy demands resulting from various factors like onshoring of manufacturing, AI and data centers, and the electrification of the economy. He 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. Quigley 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 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.
The Biden Administration has taken a significant step towards addressing one of America’s most pressing infrastructure challenges by issuing an executive order focused on strengthening its electric grid system. The order aims to enhance energy security by bolstering resilience against cyber threats while also improving accessibility and affordability for consumers.
Upon announcing this new initiative, U.S Representative Mike Quigley commended President Biden’s efforts towards safeguarding our nation’s power supply through modernization measures that include upgrading existing infrastructure with high-performance conductors and implementing dynamic line ratings.
Quigley underscored how crucial it is for us to prepare our electric grids for future demands resulting from factors such as renewable energy sources integration into our power generation systems.
He also emphasized that advanced technologies like power flow control can help optimize transmission lines’ capacity while reducing costs and increasing reliability in our electricity network.
As a champion for clean energy solutions in Congress since 2019, Quigley expressed his satisfaction with President Biden’s recognition of this issue’s urgency.
“I am thrilled that President Biden is taking decisive action on this critical issue,” said Quigley “By investing in our electrical infrastructure today, we can ensure that our country remains competitive globally while also ensuring reliable access to electricity.”