Why build a new transmission line?
Why not build more power plants and conserve more energy?
What is included in energy conservation?
I'm not a PHI customer, so why are you proposing to build a new power line through my area?
What is PJM ?
Why build a new transmission line?
Since Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, we have built a complex system of transmission and distribution lines to bring electricity into our homes and businesses. However, It has been more than two decades since the last major new interstate transmission line was built in the Mid-Atlantic region. Construction of these facilities has decreased by about 30% in the United States since 1990. During the same time, electricity demand has increased by about 25% (as per the ASCE Report on the US Energy Infrastructure). This means that transmission lines are getting more and more congested, similar to a traffic jam during rush hour.
The MAPP Project is a critically necessary enhancement to backbone electric transmission infrastructure in the United States Mid-Atlantic region, which faces acute electric reliability challenges today. The continued reliance on highly reliable electric service and the growth of demand for electric service, especially in the Baltimore-Washington corridor and on the Delmarva Peninsula, even with the complimentary improvements in efficiency and the expected continued development of options to offset or otherwise manage that demand, requires the MAPP Project and other major new infrastructure investments. For more information on the need for transmission.
An enhanced transmission system not only ensures reliability but facilitates energy efficiency and demand reduction and accommodates growth in environmentally acceptable generation. Without the MAPP Project, the electric networks serving Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region will be less robust and the risk of service degradations will be markedly higher. The MAPP Project reflects a necessary and prudent investment in Maryland's and the region's electric energy future.
Given the uncertainties around generation retirements due to new and pending environmental regulations in the Eastern Mid-Atlantic Region which could cause intermediate and long term reliability violations, MAPP will provide the needed infrastructure to resolve these violations. In addition to these reliability benefits, it will deliver economic benefits; facilitate the delivery of renewable generation resources; reflect the commitment of Pepco and Delmarva to the protection of the environment; and employ advanced technology.
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Why not build more power plants and conserve more energy?
Part of the solution to this regional transmission crisis is energy conservation and additional power generation from a variety of generation sources. But, we also need an improved transmission infrastructure to deliver more electricity to consumers, including power from alternative sources, such as wind power.
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What is included in energy conservation?
There are several components that are lumped into the term energy conservation. These include energy efficiency and demand response.
What is energy efficiency?
Energy efficiency is the reduction of electric usage that results from residential energy conservation from the use of such things as compact fluorescent lights (CFL), Energy Star appliances and other measures taken by residents. This also includes use of CFLs and other more efficient manufacturing machinery by commercial and industrial customers.
What is demand response?
Demand response is the process by which PJM can interrupt load on the system. This includes controlling air conditioners and electric hot water heaters for residential customers. This also includes the ability of industrial customers to shut down portions of their manufacturing process when called upon to do so. Individuals and companies that sign up for demand response receive compensation for participation in the load interruption program. The contracts for demand response must be renewed on an annual basis, which creates uncertainty in determining future load forecasts.
Why are these forms of energy conservation not enough to defer the installation of transmission facilities?
The latest PJM Load Forecast Report from January 2011 shows that the total amount of energy conservation, including energy efficiency and demand response, available in the Mid-Atlantic Region is 5,806 MW for the period 2017 through 2025. This represents 9% of the load in the Mid-Atlantic Region in 2017 and by 2020 it is only 8.6%. Of the total 5,806 MW of energy reduction the amount attributed to energy efficiency is only 563 MW.
For residential demand response, participants may be receiving less compensation for their participation in the prgram in the future. This is a result of the lower PJM load forecast which means that more generation will be available in PJM to serve load which will lower the price paid to both generation and demand response. This is smilar to any market where the supply exceeds the demand for specific items.
In addition, as the economy improves, commercial and industrial customers will be less likely to participate by opting to produce goods and services rather than curtailing their energy usage. The contracts for demand response must be renewed on an annual basis, which creates uncertainty in determining future load forecasts.
I'm not a PHI customer, so why are you proposing to build a new power line through my area?
MAPP is part of the regional transmission upgrades being promoted by PJM , the organization responsible for transmitting power throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. MAPP will benefit customers all along its route, including those served by electric co-ops and municipal owned electric companies, by providing increased access to lower cost energy sources and reducing power congestion.
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What is PJM?
PJM Interconnection , the largest electricity grid operator in the United States, is responsible for the reliability of the high voltage electric system for 13 states and the District of Columbia, including all of PHI's service territory. PJM Map
PJM coordinates the movement of electricity throughout the region. It also operates the largest competitive wholesale electricity market and plans generation and transmission expansion to ensure reliability.
MAPP complements the projects already approved by PJM and provides a robust transmission infrastructure that will increase our ability to import power to the Mid-Atlantic region. For more information on PJM see their website, http://www.pjm.com/ .
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