If you’re an asset developer, you need the most up-to-date interconnection queue data to navigate changes to the generation and transmission landscape near your proposed power projects. Understanding which plants and transmission lines are coming online – as well as retiring – in the vicinity of your project is key. Yes Energy®’s Infrastructure Insights Dataset tracks upcoming power generation, transmission, and geographic load (data centers, bitcoin) projects in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for that purpose.
We track key power market data for projects, including location, project type, ownership information, status, permitting, plant/line characteristics, equipment information, and related news. We then compile the data so you can understand surrounding plants and lines and evaluate the feasibility of your project accordingly.
Yes Energy’s Infrastructure Insights Dataset pulls this information from over 2,000 sources, including independent system operator (ISO) interconnection queues, investor presentations, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state reports, Public Utility Commission filings, and company websites and financials so you can ensure you’re working with the most accurate and up-to-date information.
In the US, delays in developing new capacity and connecting to the power grid have more than doubled. According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), projects built in 2008 spent two years waiting for grid approval while projects built in 2022 spent approximately five years from interconnection requests to commercial operations date (COD).
Rand, Joseph et al. 2023."Queued Up: Characteristics of Power Plants Seeking Transmission Interconnection As of the End of 2022:” page 31. https://emp.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/queued_up_2022_04-06-2023.pdf
Furthermore, delays vary by region. In the chart below, we see that PJM and ERCOT have moved more quickly for new builds while the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has lagged behind the rest of the ISOs.
Rand, Joseph et al. 2023." Queued Up: Characteristics of Power Plants Seeking Transmission Interconnection As of the End of 2022:” page 30.
Although ERCOT is commonly understood to build more quickly than CAISO, being able to track associated data provides a deeper layer of insight for asset developers and managers looking to make more informed decisions.
As part of their planning, asset developers and investors can now use our Infrastructure Insights Dataset to track project timelines.
In the following example, we use Yes Energy’s Infrastructure Insights Dataset to track delays with Goodnight Wind Energy, a wind turbine project in ERCOT.
Located in Armstrong County, Texas, the Goodnight Wind Energy Project is a 500 MW community wind farm on 60,000 acres originally planned for development in two stages. The project was initially owned by FGE Power, Austin-based developers of large-scale renewable energy projects.
Using the Infrastructure Insights Dataset, we can see that Goodnight’s initial system impact study was completed on September 19, 2012. Six months later, they began the facility studies, while the Interconnection Service Agreements (IA) were executed March 7, 2018.
If we want to look at Goodnight’s project-level data, we can do so below. In 2022, we see two projected updates to Goodnight’s COD. We also see that FGE sold the Goodnight Wind project to Omega Energia. The Infrastructure Insights dataset also allows us to track project status, permitting history, and any related news.
An asset developer planning on building in the area would be able to use this information to track project timelines and delays, then update accordingly.
For projects that were further along, we would also be able to use the Infrastructure Insights Dataset information to track plant and line characteristics, equipment information, and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
If you’re looking for the most up-to-date information around the trajectory of strategic plants and transmission lines, Yes Energy’s Infrastructure Insights Dataset tracks key data you’ll need, including location, project type, ownership information, status, permitting, plant/line characteristics, equipment information, and related news.
To learn how Yes Energy’s Infrastructure Insights Dataset can support your efforts, watch our on-demand webinar.