Regional electric grid operators—already facing resource
adequacy and reliability challenges with baseload capacity
retirements and changes in the generation resource mix—are
now grappling with unprecedented increases in near-term electric
power demand driven by data centers and new industrial loads. PJM
Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM), Midcontinent Independent System
Operator, Inc. (MISO), and Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) each
are attempting to address near-term resource adequacy concerns by
expediting interconnection studies for high-priority generation
projects.
PJM's Reliability Resource Initiative (RRI)
PJM was the first among the grid operators to propose an
expedited interconnection study process, filing its RRI proposal
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on 13 December
2024. RRI is a one-time expansion of the eligibility criteria for
Transition Cycle #2 in PJM's existing interconnection
queue.1 PJM would evaluate potential RRI