Interconnection queues significantly impact the integration of new energy storage systems by creating bottlenecks and delays, which can hinder the timely deployment of these projects. Here’s how they affect grid integration:
Delays and Backlogs
The U.S. now has 2.6 TW of generation and storage projects in interconnection queues, with 1,028 GW from battery storage alone (99% of storage requests). These queues have grown eight-fold since 2010, and projects now spend ~5 years in queues before operation—up from 3 years in 2015 and less than 2 years in 2008. For storage systems, such delays exacerbate challenges in aligning project timelines with grid modernization goals or policy incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Completion Rates
Only 11% of battery storage projects in queues from 2000–2018 were completed, reflecting systemic hurdles such as:
- Grid capacity constraints: New storage often requires transmission upgrades, which are costly and slow to implement.
- Study complexities: Hybrid solar-storage projects dominate queues but require more intricate interconnection studies.
Policy and Market Effects
The IRA has driven over 1.2 TW of new queue requests since 2022, including 540 GW of storage. While this signals strong market interest, prolonged queues risk diminishing the effectiveness of federal incentives by delaying project monetization (e.g., storage arbitrage opportunities, as seen in California).
Reforms and Solutions
Recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reforms aim to streamline processes, but challenges persist, including the need for:
- Better queue management: Prioritizing viable projects and standardizing study protocols.
- Transmission expansion: Addressing the lack of infrastructure to support renewables and storage.
Without faster reforms, storage projects risk remaining stranded in queues, undermining grid resilience and decarbonization efforts.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-interconnection-queues-affect-the-integration-of-new-energy-storage-systems/
