Power Delivery Prospects

Abstract

Prior to the worldwide energy crisis of 1974, electricity consumption in both the US and in western Europe nearly doubled every 10 years, at an annual growth rate of about 7%. For a number of years following 1974, many combined factors reduced this growth rate to 3% annually in the US. Currently, the average growth rate in domestic electric demand hovers around 2%. Due to power transfer constraints frequently resulting from the unavailability of new rights-of-way, power delivery systems will need to operate at or near peak thermal capacity to handle just this anticipated 2% annual growth in the next 2 decades. In parts of New England, a statutory voltage limitation of 345 kV will make it difficult to increase power transfer by raising operating voltages on existing rights-of-way. The current relatively modest growth in demand of 2% per year could dramatically increase should electricity consumption grow from the present 30% to an expected 50% of all forms of energy consumption by the year 2030. Increased population, with a disproportionate increase in population density in already congested areas, will contribute to this greater rate, due significantly to the lower cost, versatility, convenience, and safety of electric energy. The authors examinemore » various options to increase capacity, or alternatively to prevent exceeding the capabilities of existing systems in the near term. R and D results must be moved to the marketplace rapidly to help utilities face the cost, control, access, and wheeling issues surrounding the delivery network.« less