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Interactive Heat Map Provides Transparency into Transmission Capacity
Rutland, VT – [March 28, 2025] – Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), Vermont’s statewide electric transmission operator, today announced the launch of its enhanced Point of Interconnection (POI) Heat Map, an interactive tool designed to support optimized siting of distributed generation (DG) resources across the state. This public resource provides a visual representation of available transmission capacity on the Vermont electric transmission system, significantly increasing transparency and efficiency in the grid interconnection process, and empowering developers with data-driven insights for strategic project siting.
The POI Heat Map, developed in response to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order No. 2023, addresses the growing need for streamlined and transparent interconnection of renewable energy sources. Using a color-coded system, it illustrates capacity across Vermont’s transmission system—lighter colors show areas with limited capacity, while darker colors indicate greater availability. This design helps developers quickly identify the most suitable project locations, reducing costly interconnection delays.
“The successful integration of distributed generation is key Vermont’s clean energy and future,” said Khalid Osman, VELCO Senior Transmission Planner. "This tool gives developers the insights they need to make informed decisions, optimizing project placement and minimizing grid upgrades. Furthermore, this tool opens the door for expanding the integration between planning data and transmission topology, which is a key feature of grid modernization."
Key Benefits of the VELCO Point of Interconnection Heat Map:
Enhanced Transparency: Clearly visualizes transmission capacity, removing guesswork and enhancing collaboration between developers and VELCO.
Improved Decision-Making: Helps developers strategically plan project size and location, reducing potential delays and cost overruns.
Facilitated DG Integration: Supports efficient and effective integration of distributed generation resources, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable grid.
Scenario Modeling and Customizable Filters: Users can explore various scenarios and apply filters for a more detailed understanding of interconnection potential, enabling preliminary assessments.
Advancing Innovation: Integrating planning insights with VELCO transmission data enables opportunities for further enhancements of grid analysis to the POI heatmap in the future.
The interactive tool enables users to explore various scenarios and filter data, providing a real-world view of interconnection potential. While the map offers valuable insights, it serves as a preliminary assessment tool. Additional studies in accordance with ISO-NE procedures and NERC standards are still required for final project approvals.
The VELCO POI Heat Map is publicly accessible at www.velco.com/heatmap. Electric grid stakeholders—including developers, policymakers, and utilities—are encouraged to please explore the tool and leverage its insights to support efficient, data-informed decision-making in the interconnection process.
