POINTS Consortium Identifies Pathways to More Cost-Effective Offshore Transmission Development in the Northeastern US

Brattle energy experts contributed to reports released by the US Department of Energy-funded Planning Offshore Interregional Network Standardization (POINTS) Consortium which offer recommendations to address the technical, regulatory, procurement, and reliability challenges associated with developing a coordinated offshore transmission network along the US Atlantic Coast.

Developed with contributions from leading transmission, reliability, engineering, and economic experts – including Brattle, DNV, Johns Hopkins University, Stantec, EPRI, Elevate Energy Consulting, and other industry participants – the reports provide policymakers, regulators, grid operators, and industry stakeholders with actionable recommendations in developing the next generation of offshore transmission infrastructure.

The research provides recommendations to enhance coordination across transmission planning, procurement, equipment standardization, and modernized reliability frameworks which could help reduce infrastructure costs, strengthen supply chains, improve grid reliability, and accelerate the deployment of offshore energy resources. The reports also highlight the growing importance of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology as a key enabler of interregional transmission development and large-scale offshore energy integration.

Brattle contributors to the work included Principal Johannes Pfeifenberger and Managing Energy Associate Joe DeLosa III.

The full reports are available at: The Planning Offshore Interregional Network Standardization Final Reports – Johns Hopkins – Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute. Key recommendations from each are highlighted below.

Report #1: Offshore Transmission Standardization Recommendations for the Atlantic Region

This report focuses on creating a common technical foundation for future offshore transmission development and identifies opportunities to improve coordination among Atlantic Coast states.

Key recommendations include:

• Establish common technical standards for offshore transmission infrastructure.
• Standardize voltage levels, equipment specifications, and design requirements where practical.
• Develop common definitions and requirements for “network-ready” transmission systems and improve interoperability among transmission systems developed by different entities.

View Offshore Transmission Standardization Report

Report #2: Procurement and Contracting Strategies

This report examines global HVDC supply-chain constraints and identifies procurement approaches that can improve project delivery timelines, reduce costs, and strengthen market certainty.

Key recommendations include:

• Develop a Northeast offshore transmission orderbook to demonstrate long-term market demand and provide greater certainty to manufacturers and suppliers.
• Pursue framework agreements, preferred supplier arrangements, and capacity reservation agreements to secure manufacturing capacity and critical equipment.
• Coordinate transmission procurement schedules and technical specifications across states.
• Establish cost-allocation frameworks for shared offshore transmission infrastructure and explore innovative financing tools and insurance products to support large-scale investments.

View Procurement and Contracting Strategies Report

Report #3: Pathways Toward Standardized HVDC Transmission and Modernized Reliability Criteria for HVDC Systems

This report examines how existing reliability planning frameworks impact deployment of large-capacity HVDC transmission systems (larger than the 1,200 MW limit that currently exists in New England) and identifies opportunities to modernize planning criteria while maintaining reliability.

Key recommendations include:

• Establish a Northeast technical working group to evaluate HVDC integration challenges and opportunities and create a North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)-led task force focused on HVDC technologies and reliability frameworks.
• Reevaluate contingency classifications and planning assumptions for modern HVDC systems and update regional planning criteria to reflect current HVDC technologies, operating capabilities, and international experience.
• Evaluate solutions such as grid-forming battery storage, fast frequency response, dynamic reactive power devices, and transmission upgrades that can support larger HVDC facilities.
• Conduct comprehensive cost-benefit analyses to identify the most effective pathways for expanding transmission capability while maintaining reliability.

View Pathways Toward Standardized HVDC Transmission Report 

The release of these reports represents a key milestone in advancing interregional transmission pathways that can maximize the benefits of offshore wind deployment for consumers while strengthening grid reliability and resilience across the Northeast. The POINTS Consortium will host a webinar on Thursday, June 25 at 12 p.m. to discuss the report’s key findings and recommendations. To register for the webinar, please go to: Webinar Registration – Zoom.