Introduction
In a time of rapidly accelerating electricity demand, aging infrastructure, and urgent decarbonization goals, the National Governors Association’s (NGA) January 2025 report, Advanced Grid Technologies: Governor Leadership to Spur Innovation and Adoption, delivers a comprehensive and highly commendable roadmap for modernizing the U.S. electric grid. This important work exemplifies the strategic foresight and collaborative governance needed to meet the evolving energy demands of the 21st century.
The NGA’s efforts to mobilize gubernatorial leadership underscore the central role states can play in transforming the nation’s grid infrastructure. Their recognition of commercially available, high-impact solutions such as Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs), Advanced Metering Infrastructure, Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), and most notably, High-Performance Conductors – including carbon/composite core designs like CTC Global’s ACCC® Conductor – is both timely and visionary.
Advanced Conductors: A Powerful Lever for a Modern Grid
Among the most compelling solutions highlighted in the report are Advanced Conductors, referred to as High-Temperature Low-Sag (HTLS) conductors. As the NGA outlines, these innovative technologies offer a triple benefit: doubling transmission capacity, increasing energy efficiency by up to 30%, and significantly reducing thermal sag by about 50% compared to conventional steel-reinforced conductors. These attributes are transformative, especially given the report’s finding that 70% of U.S. transmission infrastructure is over 25 years old and much of it far exceeds its intended lifespan.
The ACCC® Conductor from CTC Global exemplifies this high-performance class. Leveraging a hybrid carbon fiber composite core, the ACCC® Conductor not only enables utilities to reconductor existing lines without the need for new towers or rights-of-way, but it also dramatically reduces line losses, translating into billions of dollars in annual savings and gigaton-scale carbon reductions over time.
Importantly, the report cites a study from Energy Innovation and GridLab estimating that widespread deployment of Advanced Conductors could save $85 billion in energy system costs by 2035 – a compelling data point for policymakers weighing cost-effective, scalable solutions.
Strong Support for Innovation Through Policy
The NGA rightly emphasizes the leadership role Governors can play in establishing grid modernization goals, supporting pilot programs, and securing federal funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). We are especially encouraged by the inclusion of FERC Order 1920-A, which mandates the consideration of advanced technologies—including ACCC® Conductors – in long-term transmission planning.
It is heartening to see states like Virginia, California, Minnesota, and Massachusetts adopting policies and legislation that promote utility assessments and deployments of advanced grid technologies. These efforts, supported by thoughtful planning, stakeholder engagement, and federal incentives, are essential for accelerating the modernization of transmission systems across the U.S.
Accelerating Deployment: A National Imperative
With over 10,000 energy projects awaiting interconnection and electricity demand expected to nearly double by 2050, the deployment of proven, commercially ready technologies must be prioritized. As the NGA report confirms, solutions like dynamic line ratings, advanced power flow control, and high-performance conductors offer immediate and substantial benefits—boosting capacity, reducing congestion, enhancing reliability, and enabling the integration of renewable energy.
As a global leader in Advanced Conductor Technology, CTC Global applauds the NGA and its contributors for their diligent research, collaborative engagement, and clear articulation of strategies that can shape a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable grid. We stand ready to support utilities, regulators, and state leaders in advancing this shared mission.
Commendation and Call to Action
The NGA’s 2025 report is not only a blueprint for grid modernization – it is a bold call to action. It offers Governors and their teams a clear path to embracing the future of energy through thoughtful leadership and innovative deployment of technologies like the ACCC® Conductor.
The modernization of America’s electric grid is no longer a luxury – it is a necessity. Thanks to the NGA’s leadership and vision, states now have the tools and knowledge to act decisively, ensuring a stronger, cleaner, and more secure energy future for all.
