Regional and economic planning update

ATC is an active participant in a variety of regional and inter‑regional planning initiatives to maintain a reliable electric grid and identify opportunities to provide economic benefits for customers. We work closely with our customers to plan for a regional electric grid that will serve their needs well into the future. 

MISO Transmission Expansion Planning 

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator planning studies address long‑ and near‑term issues as well as targeted needs. Long‑term studies primarily evaluate transmission solutions that provide reliability, economic and other regional benefits over a 10‑ to 20‑year horizon. Near‑term planning is primarily driven by reliability needs of regional transmission owners and compliance requirements established by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation in a 5‑ to 10‑year period. 

ATC system planning staff participates in the MISO near‑term reliability and economic studies in a variety of ways: ensuring accurate project information is included in the MISO database, building and reviewing models, correlating needs identified through MISO analyses with specific ATC projects and participating in various studies and stakeholder forums. 

Market constraints 

Two of the five Narrow Constrained Areas identified in the MISO region are associated with ATC, and we continue to track these and other constraints. Such tracking assists in planning projects that alleviate congestion within the MISO market. 

Other MISO planning activities 

Our planning staff participate in various technical and policy discussions and that help inform MISO Transmission Expansion Plan activities. We also are involved in joint planning studies with neighboring regional transmission organizations, including PJM Interconnection (PJM) and Southwest Power Pool. 

MISO and PJM coordinate and conduct joint market efficiency project studies. These analyses are reviewed by an inter‑regional planning stakeholder advisory committee, which typically examines economic projects that could benefit both Regional Transmission Organizations and qualify for cross‑border cost‑sharing.