Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) has outlined its partnership with Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), explaining how the two organizations coordinate electricity planning and delivery across the state.
VELCO manages Vermont's high-voltage transmission system, which transports electricity across the state. VEC and other distribution utilities receive power from this network, reduce its voltage and distribute it to residential and commercial customers.
VELCO is owned by Vermont's 17 distribution utilities, including VEC, along with the Vermont Low Income Trust for Electricity (VLITE), a public-benefit corporation. Although the organizations have different responsibilities, they work together to plan for Vermont's evolving energy requirements.
VEC and VELCO coordinate on long-term electricity planning, including assessments of the state's power needs over the next 10 and 20 years.
Through this planning process, the organizations explore ways to address reliability concerns while limiting the need for expensive transmission infrastructure investments.
Strategies include battery storage and electric vehicle charging programs operated by Vermont's distribution utilities, including VEC. These measures can help manage electricity demand and support the efficient use of existing grid infrastructure.
VEC is sharing information about the partnership through a recent webinar featuring discussions on electricity demand forecasting, transmission planning and strategies for supporting grid reliability.
The cooperative also provides webinars covering other energy-related topics, including relocating power lines to roadsides, managing electricity costs through its SmartHub platform and purchasing wholesale electricity.
Members can access these educational resources through VEC's Innovation Focus webinar platform.
The VEC-VELCO partnership highlights the importance of coordination between transmission and distribution utilities in maintaining a reliable electricity system. By combining long-term planning with battery storage and managed EV charging initiatives, the organizations aim to address future electricity demand while controlling infrastructure costs.
Source: Vermont Electric.
