By Dr. Joe Hoagland, Vice President, Innovation and Research, TVA
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is the largest public power provider, supplying power to seven states. TVA partners with 153 local power companies that deliver electricity to approximately 10 million people. Our goal is to be as reliable as possible to our customers. We have proudly maintained a 99.999% reliability rate since 2000.
TVA is committed to a cleaner tomorrow. We plan to reduce carbon emissions by 70% by 2030, with aspirations to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. In addition to providing power to millions, we employ around 10,000 people.
Where we are today
TVA developed seven signature transformative innovation initiatives to keep pace with the rapid changes in the energy sector. These initiatives address the entire electric system, including transmission, distribution, customers and the future of energy.
A critical aspect of these initiatives is considering our current assets. We aim to improve our existing assets, operate them more efficiently, and modernize them to react to system changes.
1. Advanced nuclear solutions
The first initiative focuses on advanced nuclear solutions. While renewable resources like solar and wind are necessary, they lack reliability. TVA believes that nuclear power is essential to achieving net-zero carbon emissions. So, what does this mean?
First, we need to keep operating our plants cost-efficiently. At this point, they all have 60-year licenses, but we are exploring 80-year licenses.
Then, we must think about new technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) or AP1000. SMRs are smaller than standard reactors but operate more effectively while providing the same reliability, while AP1000s are large, advanced versions of the reactors that we already have. Either way, we want them to be built in a cost-effective, timely manner.
We’re also looking at next-generation like molten salt reactors (MSRs) or gas-cooled reactors (GCR). We’re even beginning to look at fusion. Type One Energy is an excellent example of a company in the Valley that has the potential to short-circuit the challenges fusion has had in the past.
2. Decarbonization options
As we transition to clean energy, we ask ourselves, “What can we do in the meantime?” We are developing feasible technology pathways for the next phase of carbon reduction and offsets. Options include carbon capture, alternative fuels, renewables and storage, and electrification, each presenting unique challenges that TVA is addressing.
3. Storage integration
Renewables like solar and wind, while great alternatives are less reliable than natural gas. Energy storage is critical to a flexible energy system that can handle less reliable energy sources as well as fluctuating demands. TVA will open its first lithium-ion battery facility in Vonore, Tennessee, in late 2024 and is pursuing additional battery projects throughout the Valley region.
We are also working with local power companies (LPCs) to explore lithium-ion batteries for their systems to aid local customers and manage more extensive grid operations.
We know energy storage is a valuable asset because of Raccoon Mountain. We’re looking at building another pump storage facility in North Alabama across from the Bellefonte site. We’re in the process of doing geologic and environmental analysis to determine the viability of the site and how we would go about actually constructing it.
4. Future grid performance
The original system was designed for large power plants with one-way energy flow. Today, we have both large power plants and generators on the distribution side, resulting in two-way power flow.
As the grid evolves, we aim to develop an interconnected and intelligent grid that reliably delivers power. TVA will work closely with experts to determine the best process, tools, and grid-supporting technologies to operate a transformative grid with characteristics different from your traditional grid.
To help achieve our net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 goal, TVA is investing in measures such as 10GW of solar, increasing energy storage and exploring new technologies like nuclear reactors and alternative fuels.
5. Regional grid transformation
TVA and LPCs have been working closely to align interests and needs. Over the past year, TVA and LPCs have been collaborating to evaluate the energy needs and usage of various regions. This partnership allows us to create a strategy for a grid transformation that will benefit LPCs, stakeholders and end-user customers.
Chattanooga and EPB is an excellent example of using enhanced technology to increase efficiency. With its EPB smart grid, “Gig City” is ahead of most cities. The project helps reduce peak loads and electricity use while increasing operational efficiency and improving customer reliability.
6. Connected communities
A connected community includes towns, neighborhoods, main streets and cities that use data and technology to offer enhanced services to their people and businesses. This initiative focuses on communities, helping them manage energy burdens and improve their quality of life.
TVA supports communities in embracing technology and data solutions that not only address their unique needs but also prepare them to be part of the future energy system—one that integrates distributed energy generation with energy storage and smart grid management.
To prepare every community to participate in and benefit from the future energy system, the Connected Communities initiative meets communities where they are. The initiative provides stakeholders with a variety of resources—including a digital Community Information Hub platform that provides a one-stop shop for identifying and solving community challenges. The initiative makes progress attainable with a structured process and added capacity to support communities through both Pilot Projects to advance technology-driven solutions and Community Partnerships that provide year-long support and guidance to communities.
7. EV evolution
TVA is preparing for the impact of electric vehicles (EVs) on our electric grid. We are researching and testing EV-grid technologies to enhance the energy system and examining the large-scale adoption of EVs and their grid impact.
TVA is helping to drive innovation and build partnerships, paving the way for 200,000 EVs on Valley roads by 2028 and over 1 million EVs by 2035. We are collaborating with a coalition of partners to install a fast-charging EV network across our region to help support this growth. Our state is number three in the country for EV manufacturing, with Volkswagen, Ford, Nissan and GM manufacturing plants located here.
It is a fascinating time to be in the energy sector, with constant change and evolution. TVA is prepared for this evolution and is implementing these initiatives to address the challenges of building TVA’s energy system of the future and to ensure we continue to provide reliable, low-cost energy that makes life better for the people we serve.
It is a fascinating time to be in the energy sector, with constant change and evolution. TVA is prepared for this evolution and is implementing these initiatives to ensure our customers receive the energy they deserve.
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