Colorado moves to study new smart grid development

SUBNET Solutions Inc | Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Colorado has moved under Governor John Hickenlooper to study the benefits of the development of the state's power supply network. Recently, the governor signed a bill into law that effectively establishes a task force that will decide whether new transmission siting and permitting decisions are necessary.

According to a report from Renewable Energy World, the study is being funded by private utilities, and it will work to determine how new transmission lines are constructed in the state. The study is necessary, industry analysts assert, to help Colorado adapt to burgeoning electricity demand and the constraints placed on its power supply network.

According to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, one of the biggest obstacles facing electric co-ops is the ability to find suitable locations to construct automated substations and other transmission lines that are needed to deliver electricity to consumers.

Illustrating the difficult utilities run into when they are planning additional transmission lines and other work, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission recently voted to approve the construction of a transmission project, but a homeowner said the line would cross his property and damage its beauty. Work on that project has not begun as a result and it could take additional time in court to sort out the matter, according to officials.

Tags: Substation Automation & Remote Access