AEP and Partners to Study Options for Transporting Renewable Energy

AEP, along with several industry partners, have agreed to sponsor a comprehensive study of the transmission systems needed in the Upper Midwest to support renewable energy development and transport that energy to consumers in the East. 

The study, coined the SMARTransmission Study, will analyze transmission alternatives to determine the impact and economic benefits of each. 
The region being studied includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin – states that represent some of the richest renewable generation resources in the nation.  But the clean energy potential in this region cannot be developed unless there is a very efficient, high-capacity transmission system for bringing this energy east to the population and electricity load centers. 

The comprehensive SMARTransmission Study will advance AEP and partners’ SMARTgrid strategy by surveying many of the utilities who could be involved in transmission investments for this part of the country. 

The study is due to be completed in January 2010.

For more information, see the release from AEP.

On August 14, TechColumbus hosted a Leadership Luncheon focused on Energy, the Future and the SMARTGrid.  Experts from AEP, Duke Energy, Battelle and the PUCO shared with attendees their insights into the future of renewable energy production and transmission.  The luncheon was sponsored by the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP.  A video clip of the event and the PowerPoint presentation are available on the TechColumbus Web site Events Highlights page.