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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the use of grid enhancing technologies and |
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high-performance conductors in the ERCOT power region. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 36, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 36.216 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 36.216. GRID ENHANCING TECHNOLOGIES AND |
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HIGH-PERFORMANCE CONDUCTORS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Advanced power flow controller" means hardware |
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and software used to reroute electric energy from overloaded |
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transmission lines to underutilized transmission corridors by |
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adjusting circuit impedance. |
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(2) "Dynamic line rating system" means hardware or |
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software used to calculate the true capacity of transmission lines |
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using real-time and forecasted weather conditions. |
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(3) "Grid enhancing technology" means any hardware or |
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software technology that enables enhanced or more efficient |
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performance from the electric transmission system, including a |
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dynamic line rating system, advanced power flow controller |
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technology, dynamic contingency response, or a topology |
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optimization system or another technology identified by the |
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independent organization certified under Section 39.151 for the |
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ERCOT power region. |
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(4) "High-performance conductors" means modern |
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conductor technologies, including carbon and composite core |
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conductors and carbon and composite superconductors, with greater |
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performance characteristics than aluminum-conductor |
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steel-reinforced conductors, such as increased capacity, higher |
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efficiency, and reduced or no thermal sag. |
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(5) "Topology optimization system" means software |
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technology that identifies reconfigurations of the transmission |
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grid to reroute electric energy from overloaded lines to |
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underutilized corridors. |
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(b) The commission shall ensure that the independent |
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organization certified under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for |
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the ERCOT power region considers the technical feasibility and |
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cost-effectiveness using of grid enhancing technologies and |
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high-performance conductors in its evaluation of economic and |
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reliability projects during annual regional transmission planning |
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to increase transmission capacity, reduce transmission system |
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congestion, increase electric reliability, and reduce the risk of |
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wildfires. The independent organization may decline to recommend |
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the use of grid enhancing technologies in a particular instance it |
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determines that it would not be prudent. |
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SECTION 2. (a) The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall |
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adopt any necessary rules required by Section 36.216, Utilities |
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Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2026. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |