Daymark Energy Advisors provides transmission planning expertise and advisory support to the teams preparing Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study and West Coast Offshore Wind Transmission Study.
On the journey toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, the East and West coasts of the U.S. have set their sights on the vast potential of offshore wind. The expected benefits of offshore wind extend beyond clean energy production – offshore wind promises a more reliable and resilient power system, while creating economic opportunities and American jobs. But there are challenges. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) are collaborating with national labs on two important offshore wind transmission studies to understand the benefits of transmission development that would support offshore wind’s momentum on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Daymark is pleased to have contributed our expertise as part of the technical review committee of the recently released Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study. Co-led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), this study is an in-depth look at transmission infrastructure solutions that would enable offshore wind deployment. State-level offshore wind policies – including in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland – are driving significant industry activity in the Atlantic, which is further supported by the national goal to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030. The study’s findings emphasize the importance of strategic offshore transmission planning to minimize costs and environmental impacts while maximizing clean energy potential and grid reliability contributions.
By analyzing production cost benefits, reliability impacts, and transmission expansion sequences, this study offers valuable insight for policymakers, stakeholders, and developers engaged in the expansion of offshore wind energy and transmission infrastructure. By highlighting transmission challenges, opportunities, and solutions, this research serves as a building block for the sustainable growth of offshore wind in the Atlantic region. NREL will host a webinar on the study’s finding and key messages on Friday, April 12 – register on the study website here.
Turing westward, the West Coast Offshore Wind Transmission Study that kicked off in May 2023 explores transmission options that will support offshore wind development on the Pacific coast through 2050. This comprehensive study co-led by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is building nodal representation offshore wind generation and transmission infrastructure developments, identifying key points of interconnection and optimal cable routes to meet a spectrum of requirements (from adequacy to stability), and quantifying benefits and impacts on coastal and ocean co-use communities. Daymark is again engaged as part of this study’s advisory committee, advising the study team on assumptions and analytical frameworks for power system planning, siting, and technology review.
Recognizing the opportunities presented by offshore wind deployment, these transmission studies will help the U.S. move toward its vision for a decarbonized electricity sector by 2035 and ultimately a fully decarbonized economy by 2050. Resource deployment is not successful if ultimately, the energy cannot serve load. For both the East and West regions to be successful, interregional transmission planning will be crucial. These two transmission studies will aid regulators, policymakers, ISOs, and utility transmission planners as they come together as never before and holistically plan the grid of the future.
Daymark’s mission is to help our clients navigate a rapidly changing industry and make the best possible decisions on their path to decarbonization – transmission development to deliver offshore wind is key to that resilient, reliable, and sustainable energy future for all. Leveraging power market and power system simulation tools – including PSS/E, PowerGEM TARA, PLEXOS, and others – Daymark is equipped to model energy, capacity, and REC market benefits, evaluate and propose solutions to address electrical system impacts, and develop diverse scenarios of offshore wind integration.
If you’re looking for insight on offshore wind and transmission development, power market analytics, power system planning, or other related services, please reach out to Raghed, Chris, Kate, or Doug using the buttons below to start a conversation.
