2027 Event Agenda

For the T-Flex initiative, PG&E is focused on delivering an initial Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that improves transmission interconnection speed-to-power through enhanced system monitoring, automation, and flexible operational frameworks.

The core challenge we are addressing is the prolonged queue and wait times for transmission (Tx) interconnection, coupled with the reliability and operational risks associated with integrating large, dynamic loads onto an already constrained transmission system.

T-Flex aims to unlock latent grid capacity by enabling flexible interconnection models, allowing customers to connect faster while maintaining system reliability through real-time visibility, controls, and coordinated operations.

As part of this effort, we are actively exploring several key questions critical to scaling this solution:

• Customer Adoption & Contract Design:
  What conditions are required for customers to adopt T-Flex or VPP-based participation models? What should these contracts look like from both operational and commercial perspectives?
• Streamlined Interconnection Analysis:
  How can we modernize and automate the evaluation of customer load applications to efficiently identify opportunities where flexible interconnection can be applied on the transmission system?
• Operational Readiness & Reliability:
  How must grid operations, control systems, and business processes evolve to support flexible transmission interconnections without introducing additional reliability risk?
• Market & Regulatory Enablement:
  How can PG&E effectively coordinate with CAISO and regulatory bodies to enable transmission-level flexibility within existing market and regulatory constructs?
• Role of Non-Sited Resources (VPPs):
  Can non–interconnection-customer-sited resources, such as Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), provide incremental capacity and reliability services to accelerate large load interconnections?

This work represents a foundational step toward reimagining how transmission systems can support faster load growth, increased electrification, and grid flexibility, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability.