New Technologies Could Help Ohio's Grid Work Smarter
FirstEnergy Transmission company selected to participate in a U.S. Department of Energy SPARK-funded project to improve reliability and support future growth
As electricity demand grows across Ohio and the nation, FirstEnergy Transmission company American Transmission Systems, Inc. (ATSI) is teaming up with federal, state and industry leaders to explore new ways to maximize the performance of the existing electric grid. Through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) program, ATSI has been selected to participate in a statewide grid modernization initiative focused on improving reliability, increasing efficiency and supporting Ohio's growing energy needs.
Led by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), the $137 million project brings together utilities—including FirstEnergy—regulators and technology companies to test technologies that could improve reliability and help meet Ohio's growing energy needs.
Making the Grid Work Smarter
Think of the transmission system as a network of highways that moves electricity across the state. Just as traffic can become congested on busy roads, electricity can face bottlenecks on certain parts of the grid, even when nearby transmission lines still have available capacity.
This pilot project will test technologies that help grid operators better manage power flows and identify opportunities to safely increase capacity on the existing transmission system.
Rather than immediately building new infrastructure, the project aims to find smarter ways to get more out of the grid already serving customers today.
What This Means for Customers
While the technology may seem complex, the goal is simple: make the electric grid work smarter.
Potential benefits include:
- Improved reliability for homes and businesses
- More efficient use of existing transmission lines
- Better information for grid operators during changing weather and system conditions
- Additional capacity to support economic development and growing energy demand
- Valuable insights that can help guide future investments in Ohio's electric grid
The project will help identify where the grid has available capacity and where future investments can deliver the greatest benefit for customers.
New Tools for a Modern Grid
To accomplish these goals, the project will evaluate two advanced technologies designed to help operators better manage the flow of electricity across the transmission system.
One technology being tested is called Dynamic Line Ratings. These systems use sensors and real-time data to give operators a more accurate picture of transmission line performance, helping them safely maximize available capacity.
The project will also evaluate Advanced Power Flow Controllers, which act like traffic signals for electricity by directing power to less-congested transmission lines and making better use of available capacity across the grid.
Together, these technologies could improve reliability and unlock additional capacity to support customers and economic growth.
Focused on Northeast Ohio
ATSI's portion of the project will take place on several existing transmission lines in northeast Ohio, primarily in Ashtabula, Lake and Cuyahoga counties. These locations provide an opportunity to evaluate the technologies under real-world operating conditions and better understand how they could benefit customers across northeast Ohio.
This project represents an approximately $28 million investment, with funding shared between ATSI and the U.S. Department of Energy. The multi-year effort, expected to begin in early 2027, will help determine how these innovative tools can improve grid performance and inform future transmission investments.
“Our customers depend on us to deliver safe, reliable electricity every day, and that's what makes this project so important. By working together with regulators, industry partners and technology experts, we're exploring smarter ways to use the grid we already have while preparing for Ohio's future energy needs,” said Torrence Hinton, FirstEnergy’s Ohio President. “The lessons we learn could help improve reliability, support economic growth and create benefits for customers for many years to come.”
Media Contact: Lauren Siburkis, lsiburkis@firstenergycorp.com, (330) 203-8850