Galloping Behavior of Insulated Overhead Transmission Line Based on Aerodynamic Analysis

The galloping of iced transmission line under extreme weather conditions, will lead to significant electrical faults and structural damage, and is becoming a serious issue that threatens the safe and stable operation of the power grid. In this paper, a simulation model of 10 kV insulated overhead transmission line is established based on finite element method, and the effects of various influencing factors on the galloping behavior and aerodynamic characteristics are investigated and analyzed. The results show that the aerodynamic stability of the iced lines is poorest, when the wind speed is between 7 and 15 m/s and the wind …

Community Choice Energy: Bridging the Gap Between Sustainability and Affordability in Electricity Supply

The requisite deep decarbonization in order to stave off environmental degradation will need to come from not merely technological change but also positive transformation of social conditions that can deliver ‘sustainability for all’. Within the United States electric power sector, a prominent proposal to advance competition and accommodate citizen demand was the introduction of private electricity retail choice options. The impact of retail competition on electricity prices remains open for debate. Several recent state-wide investigations conducted in the United States conclude that customers, especially those on lower incomes, pay more for electricity from these ‘competitive supply’ (CS) options compared to …

OurEnergyPolicy Event Summary – Industrial Policy and Free Market

This event summary highlights key comments made by industry and policy leaders at an OEP Luncheon on industrial policy and free market mechanisms in December 2024. Featuring panelists from The Rational Middle, Shell, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and Transmission Developers in a discussion on how industrial policy and free market mechanisms can complement each other in accelerating the U.S. energy transition.…

Risk Assessment of Transmission Lines Against Grid-Ignited Wildfires

Wildfires ignited by the power lines have become increasingly common over the past decade. Enhancing the operational and financial resilience of power grids against wildfires involves a multifaceted approach. Key proactive measures include meticulous vegetation management, strategic grid hardening such as infrastructure undergrounding, preemptive de-energization, and disaster risk financing, among others. Each measure should be tailored to prioritize efforts in mitigating the consequences of wildfires. This paper proposes a transmission line risk assessment method for grid-ignited wildfires, identifying the transmission lines that could potentially lead to damage to the natural and built environment and to other transmission lines if igniting …

Robust Fault Detection and Classification in Power Transmission Lines via Ensemble Machine Learning Models

Transmission lines are vital for delivering electricity over long distances, yet they face reliability challenges due to faults that can disrupt power supply and pose safety risks. This research introduces a novel approach for fault detection and classification by analyzing voltage and current patterns across transmission line phases. Leveraging a comprehensive dataset of diverse fault scenarios, various machine learning algorithms—including Random Forest (RF), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks—are evaluated. An ensemble methodology, RF-LSTM Tuned KNN, is proposed to enhance detection accuracy and robustness. Results indicate that RF-LSTM Tuned KNN achieves a remarkable accuracy of 99.96% on …

Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium Capstone Report

The Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium (FCIC), led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), is a collaborative effort among researchers from nine national laboratories focused on solving challenges related to biomass feedstock variability in biorefineries.

Researchers from the FCIC recognize that lignocellulosic feedstocks are nonhomogeneous and have greater variability compared to other agricultural commodities such as grains. As a result, empirical approaches to equipment design for processing these feedstocks
have proven unsuccessful in pioneer biorefineries.

FCIC researchers use first-principles based science to better understand the physical, mechanical, thermochemical, and biochemical interactions and reactions as solid feedstocks are …

Clean Air as a Bonus for Achieving Energy-Related State Goals: A Review of Policies and Programs in 15 States

This report explores connections between six common areas for state action on energy-related issues — resilience, economic development, energy affordability, electrifying transportation, grid modernization, and using local resources — and reducing air emissions. Although clean air often is not a driver for such state actions, they nonetheless reduce a variety of emissions, including particulates, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. The study spans 15 geographically diverse states: Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. While these states have not adopted mandatory climate goals, they conduct a …

Short-Term Energy Outlook

The Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) provides the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) near-term perspective on energy markets. Each month, the STEO provides forecasts through the end of the next calendar year for consumption, supply, trade, and prices across major fuel types. In addition, the STEO provides in-depth market analysis for crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas markets. Although its emphasis is on U.S. energy markets, the STEO also includes forecasts for certain international liquid fuels markets.…

Charting the Path: An Energy Earthshots Initiative Report

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Earthshots™ Initiative targets the most difficult-to-solve technology barriers for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and sets technical and cost performance goals for key next-generation clean energy technologies. In just over three years, since the Energy Earthshots Initiative was announced, DOE has extensively scoped, developed, and launched the portfolio of eight Energy Earthshots that drive integrated program execution to accomplish these goals.

The Charting the Path: An Energy Earthshots Initiative Report highlights the diversity of the Energy Earthshots portfolio and that it is inclusive of many different technologies, pathways, and assessment methods with a common …

Reimagining Energy Efficiency Resource Standards

Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS) are a long-standing policy used to advance state goals and priorities, such as reliability, affordability and decarbonization. They ensure cost-effective energy efficiency is used to lower energy consumption, reduce peak demand, and enable grid flexibility. Adapting EERS through strategic design, and integrating EERS into broader energy plans and policies, can help states optimize their approach to meet modern and evolving power system needs and achieve sustainable energy outcomes.

This report examines how states consider energy efficiency in the context of four policy priorities: providing grid benefits, addressing load growth, reducing emissions, and promoting affordability. It …