The electric grid of the future is quickly evolving, and MISO is leading the charge to build the transmission of the future by proposing a $30 billion investment through its 2024 MISO Transmission Expansion Plan (MTEP24). This monumental effort addresses the comprehensive transmission needs of the MISO region.
In the final stretch, MISO is engaging with stakeholders and finalizing the last phases as it prepares to seek approval of the comprehensive plan this fall. Coordinated planning will culminate in a traditional MTEP portfolio, the MISO-SPP Joint Targeted Interconnection Queue (JTIQ) portfolio, and the Tranche 2.1 portfolio.
The Comprehensive Transmission Planning Framework
MISO transmission planning is multifaceted to ensure a reliable system meets near-term, long-term, local and regional needs. Each planning function is critical and conducted through a transparent and collaborative stakeholder process.
MTEP / Local
The traditional MISO Transmission Expansion Plan (MTEP) focuses on local reliability issues. Projects are driven by local reliability needs related to aging equipment, generator interconnections, load growth, NERC requirements and other needs.
MTEP24 will be the second largest cycle in MISO history for local reliability projects, and investment is largely driven by large spot-load growth. Proposed investment: $6.7 billion.
JTIQ
Transmission has been at capacity along the MISO and SPP seams as both RTOs undergo grid evolution. A study kicked off in late 2020 to test a new study process which then identified solutions for transmission constraints that limit or inhibit new generator interconnections in key locations along the MISO-SPP seams.
The resulting five-project JTIQ portfolio is expected to fully address significant barriers to the development of new generation along the MISO-SPP seams, enabling approximately 28.6 GW of generation to interconnect. The projects are larger and some ancillary benefits to load are expected. Proposed investment: $1.6 billion.
LRTP / Regional
Long Range Transmission Planning (LRTP) identifies larger, regional projects to address the future needs of the footprint. MISO Members and states determine goals – many to achieve clean energy targets - and LRTP develops plans to enable those goals. The rapid and significant transition from thermal generation to more renewable resources creates several challenges. To manage planning complexity and the workload, LRTP is developing new backbone transmission through phases or “tranches”.
LRTP is a key initiative of the Transmission Evolution pillar of MISO’s Reliability Imperative, which outlines efforts needed to ensure the future reliability of the grid given the energy shift and several other factors.
In July 2022, the MISO Board of Directors approved the $10.3 billion Tranche 1 portfolio, which focused on MISO’s Midwest Subregion. Tranche 2.1 continues a focus on the Midwest and will be included in MTEP24. Proposed investment: $21 billion.
The $30 billion proposed transmission investment for MTEP24 helps meet current and near-term needs while preparing the way for a resilient grid that will demands and challenges 20 years and beyond in the future.