NorthWestern Energy and Smart Wires are selected for grant funding through the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity’s Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and Other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) program for a project that will deploy advanced transmission technologies to increase transfer capability between Montana and Wyoming using existing transmission infrastructure.

The project will use advanced flow control and dynamic line rating technologies to address transmission constraints and increase the utilization of an existing southeast Montana transmission corridor without requiring new transmission line construction or major substation expansions.

The project will improve transfer capability between Montana and Wyoming and support the movement of electricity across the regional transmission system.

The project will increase transfer capability between Montana and Wyoming and demonstrate the application of advanced transmission technologies to address transmission constraints using existing infrastructure. The project also aligns with broader efforts to improve the use of existing transmission assets and support reliable operation of the regional transmission system.

Headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, Smart Wires partners with utilities and transmission owners to deliver solutions that perform under real-world operating conditions.