§ 8-1-8.5-14 — Commission study of advanced transmission technologies

Indiana § 8-1-8.5-14

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Art. 1: UTILITIES GENERALLY
• Ch. 8.5: Electric Utility Resource Planning and Certification

Text

(a) As used in this section, "advanced
transmission technologies" means software or hardware technologies
that increase the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or safety of an existing
or new electric transmission facility, including:
(1) grid enhancing technologies, such as dynamic line rating,
advanced power flow controllers, and topology optimization;
(2) advanced conductors; and
(3) other technologies designed to:
(A) reduce transmission congestion; or
(B) increase the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or safety of an
existing or new electric transmission facility.
(b) As used in this section, "public utility" has the meaning set forth
in section 1 of this chapter.
(c) The commission shall conduct a study to evaluate the potential
use or deployment of advanced transmission technologies by public
utilities to enable public utilities to:
(1) safely, reliably, efficiently, and cost effectively meet electric
system demand; and
(2) provide safe, reliable, and affordable electric utility service to
customers.
(d) In conducting the study, the commission shall evaluate the
following:
(1) The attributes, functions, costs, and benefits of various
advanced transmission technologies, including grid enhancing
technologies and advanced conductors. In evaluating the
attributes of various advanced transmission technologies under
this subdivision, the commission shall consider whether a
particular technology does the following:
(A) Increases transmission capacity.
(B) Increases transmission efficiency.
(C) Reduces transmission congestion.
(D) Reduces the curtailment of generation resources.
(E) Increases system reliability.
(F) Increases system resiliency.
(G) Increases the capacity to connect new energy generation
resources.
(2) The potential of each of the advanced transmission
technologies studied to be used or deployed by public utilities to
provide safe, reliable, and affordable electric utility service to
customers in Indiana, considering existing and planned
transmission infrastructure and projected demand growth.
(3) Potential reductions in project costs and project completion
timelines by deploying advanced transmission technologies, as
compared to traditional transmission infrastructure.
(4) Potential ways to streamline the deployment of advanced
transmission technologies, including streamlined processes for
permitting, maintenance, and upgrades.
(5) Any other aspect of advanced transmission technologies that
the commission determines will assist policymakers, public
utilities, ratepayers, and other stakeholders in understanding the
potential role of advanced transmission technologies in the
transmission system serving Indiana and the region.
(e) In conducting the study required by this section, the commission
may consult with or invite comments from:
(1) regional transmission organizations;
(2) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or other federal
regulators;
(3) public utilities;
(4) the office of the utility consumer counselor;
(5) associations or organizations representing utility ratepayers;
(6) regulatory commissions in other states;
(7) engineers or other experts; or
(8) other stakeholders.
The commission may incorporate any information or comments
received under this subsection in its report under subsection (f).
(f) The commission shall include in the annual report that the
commission is required to submit under IC 8-1-1-14 before October 1,
2026, a report that includes the commission's findings with respect to
the topics outlined in subsection (d).

Legislative History

As added by P.L.10-2025, SEC.2.