Power Line Upgrades Could Rapidly Unlock Clean Energy Potential

Replacing existing power lines with advanced conductors could double grid capacity in many areas, enabling more renewable energy.

Upgrading lines is cheaper and faster than building new ones - a Texas project increased capacity 40% in under 3 years.

Nationwide upgrades could quadruple transmission capacity by 2035 vs current pace, unlocking clean energy projects now stuck in queue.

But questions remain on feasibility and need to still build some new lines to access remote renewables.

Utilities hesitant to adopt due to unfamiliarity, bureaucracy, mismatched incentives; overcoming this could be a fast, cost-effective way to expand grid.