Regional and economic planning update

ATC is an active participant in a variety of efforts to address regional and inter‑regional planning initiatives designed to maintain a reliable grid and capture economic benefits in a dynamic energy marketplace. Policy initiatives to curb greenhouse gas emissions and expand the use of renewable energy continue to evolve, and we work closely with our customers to plan for an electric transmission system that will serve their needs well into the future.

Midcontinent Independent System Operator Transmission Expansion Planning

MISO planning studies address long- and short-term issues as well as targeted needs. Long-term studies primarily look at value-based options that provide economic benefits in the 10- to 20-year horizon. Short-term planning is primarily driven by transmission owners’ reliability and North American Electric Reliability Corporation compliance needs in a five- to 10-year period.

ATC staff participates in the MISO short-term reliability and economic studies in a variety of ways: ensuring accurate project information is included in the MISO database, building and reviewing models, correlating needs identified by MISO analyses with specific ATC projects and participating in various studies and stakeholder forums.

Market constraints

Two of the five narrowly constrained areas identified in the MISO region are associated with ATC, and we continue to track these as well as other constraints. Such tracking assists in planning projects that alleviate congestion within the MISO market.

Other MISO planning activities

Our planning staff participates in various technical and policy discussions and provides future direction for MTEP activities. We also are involved in joint planning studies with neighboring regional transmission organizations, including PJM and SPP.

MISO and PJM coordinate, conduct and analyze several market efficiency project studies. This analysis is reviewed by an interregional planning stakeholder advisory committee, which typically examines economic projects that could benefit both RTOs and qualify for cross-border cost-sharing.