Estimated global grid hosting capacity that can be unlocked through selected upgrades by voltage level, 2025

Notes

APFC = advanced power flow control, DLR = dynamic line rating, SATA = storage as a transmission asset, TO = topology optimisation and DTR = dynamic transformer rating. The combined capacity increase is lower than the sum of individual technology contributions, as multiple grid-enhancing solutions often address the same binding constraints. As a result, capacity gains are not additive, and the effective deployment required in a combined application is lower than in cases where each technology is implemented on a standalone basis. The calculation of unlocked capacity via technology upgrades is based on literature review of papers, reports, statements and case studies providing quantitative assessments of unlocked capacity and technical/economic viability by solution across a diverse range of transmission networks worldwide. Potentials of unlocked capacity by region and globally have been calculated using existing country-level or region-level power grid length by voltage range, conductor types, current rating, number of circuits, congestion, average and peak demand. Hosting capacity values are provided as a high-level estimation based on transmission capacity gains and can differ from real-world applications based on grid- and project- specific detailed connection studies to verify constraints which are not considered in this analysis, e.g. voltage, short-circuit, substation capacity constraints, generation and load profiles, among others.