Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab

New data from @BerkeleyLab shows that the massive backlog of generation & storage interconnection requests has shrunk a bit, as reforms and other market factors take effect. See our slide deck, data dashboard, maps, and downloads at emp.lbl.gov/queues. -THREAD-

And the large load interconnection side is just as heated, with the rush to build data centers. See our report, Speed To Power, which explores more than 40 potential solutions for accelerating large load connections. emp.lbl.gov/publications... 9/x

New data from @BerkeleyLab shows that the massive backlog of generation & storage interconnection requests has shrunk a bit, as reforms and other market factors take effect. See our slide deck, data dashboard, maps, and downloads at emp.lbl.gov/queues. -THREAD-

Our data visualizations include data by region, technology, and time, with interactive maps at the regional, state and county level. Data: emp.lbl.gov/generation-s... Maps: emp.lbl.gov/maps-project... 7/x

New data from @BerkeleyLab shows that the massive backlog of generation & storage interconnection requests has shrunk a bit, as reforms and other market factors take effect. See our slide deck, data dashboard, maps, and downloads at emp.lbl.gov/queues. -THREAD-

The volume of interconnection agreements (IAs) is on the rise in most regions: CAISO, ERCOT, SPP, and MISO each signed a record capacity in 2025. CAISO and ERCOT both executed IAs last year amounting to >30 GW of capacity. 5/x

New data from @BerkeleyLab shows that the massive backlog of generation & storage interconnection requests has shrunk a bit, as reforms and other market factors take effect. See our slide deck, data dashboard, maps, and downloads at emp.lbl.gov/queues. -THREAD-

Last year the stack dropped 10% to 2.0 TW, as more than 750 GW withdrew. Gas proposals were up, especially in MISO, SPP, and ERCOT, but solar, storage, and wind capacity decreased. The usual caveat: not all projects in the queue will be built! But it is a strong indicator of near-term trends. 3/x

New data from @BerkeleyLab shows that the massive backlog of generation & storage interconnection requests has shrunk a bit, as reforms and other market factors take effect. See our slide deck, data dashboard, maps, and downloads at emp.lbl.gov/queues. -THREAD-

As the interconnection queue gets longer, how can we improve the speed and reliability of connecting new generation and storage? For DOE’s Interconnection Exchange (i2X), we are convening a webinar series to dive into interconnection study methods. Register at uvig.webex.com/webappng/sit...

Data on electrical panels is important for understanding the costs and grid impacts of adding new loads to homes. A new study from @BerkeleyLab provides nationwide estimates of electrical panel capacity, available breaker space, and panel headroom for new loads in U.S. single-family homes.🔌🏠 1/x

We estimate that electrical panels (even small ones) in most homes have capacity to accommodate new loads. The median 100A panel in our model has up to 62A of headroom. This headroom may enable many homes to avoid electrical panel replacements when adding new loads. 4/x

Data on electrical panels is important for understanding the costs and grid impacts of adding new loads to homes. A new study from @BerkeleyLab provides nationwide estimates of electrical panel capacity, available breaker space, and panel headroom for new loads in U.S. single-family homes.🔌🏠 1/x

We estimate that most U.S. single-family homes (58%) have electrical panels with at least 200A of capacity, but the share of these panels varies by state. For example, homes in Southern states are most likely to have 200A panels, while homes in Northeastern states are least likely. 2/x

A reminder: State agencies and utilities are encouraged to apply for free technical assistance to develop and implement regulatory sandboxes for advanced transmission and distribution technologies by February 13th. Find out more at emp.lbl.gov/regulatory-s.... What are regulatory sandboxes? -->

For more information on sandboxes and other innovation mechanisms, see the @berkeleylab.lbl.gov report, emp.lbl.gov/publications.... 4/x

A reminder: State agencies and utilities are encouraged to apply for free technical assistance to develop and implement regulatory sandboxes for advanced transmission and distribution technologies by February 13th. Find out more at emp.lbl.gov/regulatory-s.... What are regulatory sandboxes? -->

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's (LBNL) new Regulatory Sandbox Navigator toolkit provides information for states and utilities on how to use sandboxes to promote innovation, examples across the country, and practical materials to tailor a sandbox to meet local objectives. 2/x

A reminder: State agencies and utilities are encouraged to apply for free technical assistance to develop and implement regulatory sandboxes for advanced transmission and distribution technologies by February 13th. Find out more at emp.lbl.gov/regulatory-s.... What are regulatory sandboxes? -->

Electricity trades across regions can save money, but market inefficiencies can erode those savings. A new study from @BerkeleyLab finds $1.23 billion a year in gross savings were offset by $551 million of uneconomic transactions. 🧵 🔌 💡 1/x

The study looks at hourly energy transfers across thirty-two US transmission interfaces, from 2014 to 2023. By comparing real-time energy prices in the exporting and importing regions, it gauges the economic efficacy of transactions. 4/x

Electricity trades across regions can save money, but market inefficiencies can erode those savings. A new study from @BerkeleyLab finds $1.23 billion a year in gross savings were offset by $551 million of uneconomic transactions. 🧵 🔌 💡 1/x

As much as a quarter of all interregional transactions are uneconomical – that is, higher priced power is imported when cheaper local power is available. In the worst case, up to 81% of transactions are uneconomic. 2/x