Mary Scott NabersEnergy, electricity and power are often used interchangeably in conversations, but while they are related, each is a distinct component. Energy is best described as the capacity to do work. Electricity is a type of energy generated by the movement of electrons, and power is simply the rate at which energy is transferred or used. The high demand for all three components is driving a historic rush to build new capacity throughout the U.S. Many projects are currently being readied for launch.
Officials at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) in Oregon will embark on an ambitious series of more than a dozen grid expansion and modernization projects. These efforts, with an estimated price tag of approximately $3 billion, will strengthen the region’s electrical infrastructure to meet growing energy demands and ensure long-term grid reliability.
The projects will unfold in 13 phases, incorporating a combination of renewable energy solutions and natural gas-powered initiatives. Key components of the grid modernization will include construction of new substations, upgrades to existing transmission lines and the installation of advanced equipment. Approximately $500 million will be dedicated to the restoration and preservation of over 15,000 miles of existing transmission lines, substations and various electrical components.
Once completed, the expansion is expected to deliver an additional 10,000 megawatts of power to the regional grid, significantly bolstering capacity. All projects are still in the early stages of development and environmental reviews, but smaller-scale upgrades must be completed before work can begin. By 2026 the effort should be underway.
Minnesota Power, Dairyland Power Cooperative and the Basin Electric Power Cooperative will collaborate on the development of a state-of-the-art natural gas plant designed to provide reliable electricity when renewable energy sources are not available. A $700 million project will be launched to develop a new facility located in Superior, Wisconsin, which will be designed to serve as a critical component of grid stability. Its infrastructure will include a four-mile transmission line, a seven-mile natural gas pipeline, and a 4.3-acre substation.
When completed, the plant will have the flexibility to accommodate up to 30% hydrogen fuel in the future. That will meet the objective of aligning this effort with other efforts to reduce carbon emissions and integrate cleaner energy solutions. The project is currently awaiting final regulatory approvals, but once those approvals are granted, the project will enter the construction and commissioning phase. No timeline for the release of solicitations has been announced.
The Tennessee Valley Authority anticipates $800 million in federal funding from a U.S. Department of Energy program. It will support the deployment of next-generation nuclear technology and the delivery of a small reactor at the Clinch River Nuclear Site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The Tennessee Valley Authority is working with a broad coalition of partners including major energy companies, research institutions and component manufacturers to deploy the first modular reactor at Clinch River but also to establish a robust domestic supply chain for future reactor projects across the U.S.
This effort will include boiling water reactor technology that promises to deliver safe, reliable and flexible power generation. Officials plan to deploy more reactors at Clinch River in the future. The project is currently in the planning phase, and no timelines have been announced.
In Texas, the Public Utility Board (KPUB) in Kerrville has announced a $175 million project to develop a natural gas-fired reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) plant, which will be designed to deliver a peak generation capacity of up to 122 megawatts. The facility will represent not only a significant investment in the region’s energy infrastructure, but it will also address long-term demand as the region grows. Any excess generation capacity produced by the plant will be sold to external markets, which will help to offset the overall cost of the project.
RICE technology offers several notable benefits, including high operational efficiency, water consumption efficiency and the ability to quickly ramp up or down in response to fluctuations in power demand. These attributes support grid stability, especially as renewable sources like wind and solar continue to be integrated into the broader energy mix. Currently, the project is in the financing and development stage, but the city’s leaders have given formal approval for the project to move forward. No construction timeline has been announced, but there are indications that other work could begin as early as this summer.
Officials in New York representing the Board of Public Utilities have announced the launch of a $23 million initiative to construct a resilient microgrid in downtown Jamestown, New York. A $17.37 million federal grant has been awarded, and funding support will also come from local organizations. The microgrid project will be designed to improve energy reliability and resilience in a region frequently impacted by severe weather and power outages.
The microgrid will integrate existing infrastructure, including a gas-fired turbine and district heating system, with new battery storage equipment capable of “black start” operations. This feature allows the system to restore power independently, without relying on the broader electric grid. The system will serve critical infrastructure during prolonged outages, including the Jamestown police and fire departments, local hospitals, urgent care centers, EMS services, municipal buildings, senior housing, schools, shelters and other essential community facilities.
It will also support electric vehicle charging stations and small businesses, to increase energy security across the community. The project is currently in the design phase with solicitation documents expected to be released in 2025 or early 2026.
An energy storage project in Portage, Wisconsin, will be backed by a $30 million federal grant, and it will represent a major investment in long-duration energy storage. The project will deliver a new style of utility-scale system that uses compressed carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a storage medium. With a capacity of 200 megawatts, the facility will be able to power approximately 18,000 homes for up to 10 hours on a single charge.
The technology involves compressing CO₂ gas into a liquid for storage and converting it back to gas to drive a turbine when energy is needed. This closed-loop process offers a zero-emissions solution with high efficiency. The project will also benefit from existing infrastructure at the adjacent Columbia Energy Center, a coal plant scheduled to retire in 2026. When completed, this effort will significantly improve grid stability and support renewable energy. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with solicitations anticipated in the fall of 2025.
These energy projects will become increasingly common initiatives throughout the next decade for many reasons. Demand for reliable power is escalating at historic rates, and weather events have become more significant throughout the country. Sustainability and high demand for electricity will continue to drive the need for more electricity, and these projects will call for many different types of expertise.
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