MISO Dashboard

As submitted: The MTEP process as currently structured does not truly consider non-transmission alternatives on a level playing field to transmission solutions. Although MISO developed Business Practices with the PSC/PAC during calendar years 2015-2016 to address the tariff requirements for comparable treatment of non-transmission alternatives, the process has limitations. These limitations result in Transmission solutions almost always being developed as the default option to system issues with limited opportunity for non-transmission alternatives. For example, new generation or energy storage is required to have a signed interconnection agreement to be evaluated in the MTEP process as an alternative to a transmission solution. With the current interconnection process regularly taking over 1000 days, it is effectively impossible for MISO to evaluate or select a new generation alternative to address a system issue identified in MTEP. Moreover, MISO’s requirements for evaluating and selecting other non-transmission alternatives are not clearly specified. For example, there is no policy for evaluating the use of a retired generator converted to a synchronous condenser as a non-transmission alternative.  An approach that seeks to balance both cost and reliability must be found.

This issue was submitted by DTE Energy in January 2020.

(formerly IR092)