Senator Nate Blouin proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
GRID ENHANCING TECHNOLOGIES

2     
2024 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Nate Blouin

5     
House Sponsor: Joel K. Briscoe

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill makes changes to the Energy Resource Procurement Act.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     defines terms;
13          ▸     outlines cost-effectiveness analyses and approval procedures when a large-scale
14     electric utility (utility) proposes grid enhancement deployment; and
15          ▸     provides that a utility may recover approved costs.
16     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17          None
18     Other Special Clauses:
19          None
20     Utah Code Sections Affected:
21     ENACTS:
22          54-17-10, Utah Code Annotated 1953
23     

24     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25          Section 1. Section 54-17-10 is enacted to read:

26          54-17-10. Grid enhancing technologies.
27          (1) (a) As used in this section, "grid enhancing technology" means a technology that
28     increases the capacity, efficiency, or reliability of electric transmission infrastructure.
29          (b) "Grid enhancing technology" includes:
30          (i) technology that dynamically adjusts the rated capacity of transmission lines based
31     on real-time conditions;
32          (ii) advanced power flow controls used to actively control the flow of electricity across
33     transmission lines to optimize usage and relieve congestion;
34          (iii) software and hardware used to identify optimal transmission grid configurations
35     and enable routing power flows around congestion points;
36          (iv) advanced transmission line conductors that increase the power transfer capacity of
37     transmission lines; and
38          (v) energy storage technologies that facilitate energy storage during times of excess
39     generation and discharge of stored energy during times of high demand to support transmission
40     system operation.
41          (2) In an integrated resource plan filing, a general rate case, or other proceeding in
42     which a large-scale electric utility proposes additions or expansions to the transmission system,
43     the large-scale electric utility shall:
44          (a) analyze the cost effectiveness and timetable for deployment of grid enhancing
45     technologies as an alternative strategy to meet electric system needs; and
46          (b) include the analysis in the filing to the commission.
47          (3) (a) The commission shall encourage the large-scale electric utility to include
48     deployment of grid enhancing technologies in an integrated resource plan action plan.
49          (b) A large-scale electric utility shall include a summary of its existing and planned
50     grid enhancing technologies in each integrated resource plan filed with the commission.
51          (4) If the commission determines, based on the analysis provided by the large-scale
52     electric utility under Subsection (2), that deployment of grid enhancing technologies is cost
53     effective, the commission shall approve recovery of the prudently incurred costs of the grid
54     enhancing technologies.
55          Section 2. Effective date.
56          This bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.