500 GW of Solar Could Leverage Existing Fossil Plant Grid Connections

500 GW of Solar Could Leverage Existing Fossil Plant Grid Connections

Researchers suggest that integrating solar, wind, and energy storage at the grid interconnection points of fossil-fuel power plants could become a widely adopted strategy for accelerating renewable energy deployment.

A study by the University of California, Berkeley estimates that approximately 500 GW of solar capacity in the U.S. could be economically sited within six miles of existing fossil-fuel generators. These solar installations could share the grid access points already used by fossil plants, allowing for a streamlined connection process.

The concept is straightforward: the combined output of the fossil and renewable generators would not exceed the capacity of the grid connection, ensuring reliability without requiring extensive upgrades.

Why Now?

While the idea of sharing interconnections has been around for years, recent declines in renewable energy costs and supportive policy developments have made it a more attractive option. These changes have spurred increased interest in integrating solar energy at fossil fuel plant sites.

The research also explored wind energy’s potential for shared interconnections, estimating a combined capacity of over 800 GW for solar and wind. At more than 75% of fossil power plants, the cost of adding solar or wind was found to be lower than the operational costs of the fossil plant. Adding energy storage at these sites could further enhance the grid's reliability and flexibility.

Exploring the Potential

A detailed analysis highlights the opportunity to utilize surplus interconnection capacity at 1,400 fossil-fuel plants across the U.S. An interactive dashboard created by the researchers provides insights into each plant's potential for shared connections, allowing users to filter data and examine aggregated capacity estimates.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has already laid the groundwork for this approach through its Order 845, which mandates an expedited process for surplus interconnection services. This regulatory framework could help fast-track renewable energy projects at existing grid interconnection points.

Policy and Infrastructure Recommendations

To fully realize the potential of shared interconnections, the researchers proposed several policy actions for FERC, grid operators, public utility commissions, and other stakeholders. These recommendations aim to reduce barriers and streamline the process for integrating renewables with existing fossil infrastructure.

Grid Reliability and Future Potential

Combining renewables with fossil plants’ interconnections provides flexibility to manage rapid electricity demand growth while maintaining grid reliability. The study identifies substantial opportunities in regions such as PJM and MISO, where grid constraints and aging fossil infrastructure pose challenges to meeting rising energy needs.

With many coal and oil power plants over 40 years old, their grid access points represent valuable assets that could be repurposed for clean energy. Additionally, existing renewable plants with 250 GW of capacity could double their contribution by sharing their interconnection points with storage systems.

A Path to Clean Energy Expansion

By integrating renewables, leveraging surplus interconnection capacity, and upgrading transmission infrastructure with advanced conductors, the U.S. could significantly expand its clean energy capacity. This combined approach offers a cost-effective path toward achieving energy abundance while addressing climate goals.

The study highlights how this strategy could transform the U.S. energy landscape.