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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the evaluation and use of grid enhancing technologies |
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and high-performance conductors. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 39.171 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 39.171. EVALUATION AND USE OF GRID ENHANCING |
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TECHNOLOGY AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE CONDUCTORS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Grid enhancing technology" means any hardware or |
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software technology that enables or provides enhanced or more |
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efficient performance from the electric transmission system. |
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(2) "High-performance conductors" means modern |
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conductor technologies that have improved performance |
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characteristics, such as increased capacity, higher efficiency, |
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and reduced or no thermal sag. |
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(b) The commission shall ensure that the independent |
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organization certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power |
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region evaluates on a periodic basis, to be determined by the |
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commission, the potential use of grid enhancing technologies and |
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high-performance conductors for the purpose of: |
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(1) increasing transmission capacity; |
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(2) reducing transmission system congestion; |
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(3) increasing reliability of electric services; |
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(4) increasing safety of transmission system |
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crossings over water; and |
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(5) reducing the risk of wildfires. |
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(c) An evaluation under Subsection (b) must include |
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considerations of the availability, technical feasibility, |
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repairability, durability, operational risks, long-term load |
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support viability, and cost-effectiveness of grid enhancing |
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technologies and high-performance conductors. |
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(d) The independent organization certified under Section |
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39.151 for the ERCOT power region may prepare a report of available |
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grid enhancing technologies and high-performance conductors for |
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electric utilities and electric cooperatives to consider in |
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constructing and operating the utilities' or cooperatives' |
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facilities. The independent organization may decline to recommend |
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the use of a particular grid enhancing technology or |
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high-performance conductor if the independent organization |
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determines the technology or conductor is not readily available or |
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implementation of the technology or conductor would not be feasible |
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or cost-effective for the ERCOT power region. |
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(e) If the independent organization certified under Section |
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39.151 for the ERCOT power region determines that the use of a grid |
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enhancing technology or high-performance conductor is technically |
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feasible and cost-effective, an electric cooperative, electric |
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utility, or municipally owned utility may use the technology or |
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conductor. |
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(f) An electric utility shall include with each application |
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for a new or amended certificate of convenience and necessity for a |
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transmission project under Chapter 37 an evaluation of the |
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potential for integration into the project of technologies |
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recommended in a report produced under Subsection (d). |
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SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2026, the Public |
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Utility Commission of Texas shall adopt any rules necessary to |
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implement Section 39.171, Utilities Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |