Fleet Evolution & New Generation Technology

Renewable energy resources are showing up all across the Tennessee Valley in various places on the electric power grid. TVA’s ability to provide low cost, reliable and clean energy will be impacted if we are not able to meet rapidly changing system conditions. Focusing on adapting to distributed generation resources while improving plant performance and new generation capabilities across our current coal, gas, hydro and nuclear fleet supports a strategic vision resulting in resilient, adaptive and efficient power generation, transmission and delivery.

There are four focus areas within the Fleet Optimization & New Generation Technology priority area:

• Generation & Transmission Optimization
  Centered on emerging and near-term technologies improving the operation and maintenance of power generating and delivery assets. Research will be conducted to advance and improve fleet flexibility focusing on the development of intelligent generation capabilities, smart monitoring and diagnostics, fast response and asset management planning.
• Nuclear Operations & Planning
  Centered on fleet operations and planning and reducing operation and maintenance costs.
• New Generation Technology
  TVA is continuously monitoring industry advancements for emerging, near-commercial and deployment-ready generation technologies. As TVA’s generation fleet continues to serve the people of the Valley, the aging fleet, environmental regulations, integrated grid and the penetration of distributed energy resources will require additional generating alternatives and capabilities.
• Power Supply Training
  Resource planning is necessary for future generation portfolio planning initiatives and providing technology assessment, analysis and planning strategies. A need exists to improve understanding of new business paradigms—how advances in distributed generation, storage and grid technologies create an increasing need to integrate supply, transmission, distribution and end-use choices in planning. Also, work will be conducted to advise technical information, analytic methodologies and software tools to evaluate existing and emerging planning issues.