Interregional Renewable Energy Zones in National Transmission Analysis

This report describes the interregional renewable energy zone (IREZ) methodology for national application in the United States. The aim is to develop a data-driven, replicable methodology for use in long-term regional and interregional transmission planning. An IREZ is best understood as a conceptual transmission collection point that is easily accessible to a very high volume of low-cost developable wind and solar energy potential. The objective is to identify opportunities for new high-volume long-distance interregional transmission corridors: a limited number of lines with higher voltages, with reduced total cost per megawatt of transfer capability.