Technological advances are transforming the U.S. power grid, enabling more electricity to travel longer distances with greater efficiency. High-voltage transmission lines, operating at either AC or DC, are key to delivering power from generation sites to consumers while minimizing energy losses. High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems, in particular, are increasingly used for long-distance, subsea, and inter-regional transmission due to lower losses and the ability to connect asynchronous grids.
HVDC has higher upfront costs from converter stations but benefits from reduced operational losses and smaller infrastructure requirements. The “break-even distance,” where HVDC becomes more cost-effective than HVAC, typically ranges from 400–500 miles for overhead lines and is much shorter for underground or submarine cables.
Advanced technologies—such as Ultra-High Voltage systems, High-Temperature Low-Sag conductors, and smart grid integration—further enhance efficiency, reliability, and monitoring capabilities. Inter-regional transmission, including projects like the New England Clean Energy Connect, improves system stability, supports renewable energy integration, and helps grids respond to extreme weather or outages.
Expanding and modernizing high-energy transmission lines is essential to meet growing electricity demand, integrate renewable energy, and ensure a reliable, resilient, and sustainable grid.
We wrote an article for the September issue of Oil & Energy Magazine on HDVC Lines and Inter-Regional Electricity. You can read that article in its entirety here: HDVC Transmission Lines and Inter-Regional Electricity