US Energy Regulator Urges Hydrogen Producers to Plan for Grid Stability
Key Ideas
- US energy regulator advises hydrogen producers to engage in long-term grid planning to prevent strain on the power grid.
- FERC's transmission rule requires 20-year assessments of the grid to address changes in power-and-demand mix and extreme weather events.
- Challenges in permitting and constructing long-range transmission lines are hindering the connection of more power plants to the grid.
- Hydrogen is part of a growing trend of customers increasing demand on the grid, alongside data centers and other industries.
The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently finalized a transmission rule that mandates 20-year assessments of the grid to address evolving power-and-demand dynamics and extreme weather impacts. In response to a surge in demand from data centers and the need to connect additional power plants to the grid, FERC and state regulators are urging hydrogen producers to participate in long-term grid planning to ensure stability and prevent strain. The challenge lies in obtaining permits and constructing long-range transmission lines efficiently. Despite these obstacles, hydrogen is identified as one of several sectors contributing to the increased demand for grid power, signaling a need for coordinated planning among various industries to maintain grid reliability.