Power Grid Upgrade Push: New Bill Offers Cash Incentives for Grid-Enhancing Tech and Mandates Congestion Reporting

The Advancing GETs Act of 2025 aims to boost the performance of the U.S. electric grid by encouraging the adoption of specific hardware and software known as grid-enhancing technologies (GETs). It proposes a financial incentive for developers investing in these technologies, requires detailed reporting on grid congestion points, and sets up resources to help utilities implement these upgrades. The core idea is to make the existing power lines carry more electricity more efficiently and reliably.

Getting Paid to Unclog the Power Lines

The main hook here is a "shared savings incentive" outlined in Section 3. If a company (the "developer") invests in GETs that demonstrably save money by improving grid performance, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) would set rules allowing the developer to recoup between 10% and 25% of those savings over three years. Think of it like getting a rebate for making the system run better. There's a catch: the projected savings over three years have to be at least four times the cost of the investment, ensuring it's focused on high-impact projects. FERC has 18 months to finalize the rules for this program, which won't apply to tech already installed. The plan also includes a check-up: FERC will evaluate if this incentive is still needed 7 to 10 years down the line, considering how it meshes with broader grid planning efforts.

Mapping the Grid's Traffic Jams

To figure out where upgrades are needed most, Section 4 mandates annual reporting on grid congestion. Transmission operators will have to report detailed costs for managing bottlenecks, specifically identifying constraints costing over $500,000 annually and their causes. Within 18 months, FERC must create a standard way to measure and report this. This data isn't just for filing cabinets; FERC and the Department of Energy will use it to create and annually update a public map showing where congestion costs are highest across the country. This transparency could help pinpoint where investments, including GETs, could provide the biggest bang for the buck.

A How-To Guide for Grid Tech

Recognizing that adopting new technology can be tricky, Section 5 directs the Secretary of Energy to create an application guide within 18 months for utilities and developers looking to use GETs. This guide, updated yearly, will offer practical advice. The Department of Energy will also provide technical assistance, including a database of past projects to share lessons learned. The bill authorizes $5 million for the first year (FY2025) and $1 million annually for the following ten years (FY2026-2036) to support this guidance and assistance.

What This Means on the Ground

Ultimately, this bill is about pushing the grid to work smarter, not just bigger. By incentivizing tech that optimizes existing lines and pinpointing costly bottlenecks, the goal is a more efficient, reliable, and potentially cheaper flow of electricity. While the incentive aims to reward developers for savings, how those savings calculations and the incentive payouts ultimately balance out for ratepayers will be key. It's a nudge towards innovation, focusing investment on squeezing more capacity and efficiency out of the infrastructure we already have.