The Ray’s innovative Right-of-Way (ROW) Transmission Analysis Tool, powered by our partner Esri, leverages cutting-edge GIS mapping technology to accelerate the development of a diverse energy infrastructure portfolio. This powerful tool identifies viable ROW land and facilitates the strategic planning of new underground and overhead transmission lines, optimizing both suitable locations and efficient routing to support a resilient energy future. As the private sector continues to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into electric, connected, and autonomous technology, existing transportation infrastructure in the US must modernize to incorporate the infrastructure to power these vehicles as well as the communications infrastructure needed to support their connected and autonomous (CAV) functionality.
DOT Partnership Highlights
The Ray is actively advancing transmission infrastructure planning through strategic partnerships and the application of its ROW Transmission Tool.
In Minnesota, The Ray is a partner in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) “Moonshot” program, supporting the Minnesota Department of Transportation‘s (MnDOT) selection of ROW transmission as its focus area. Working with Governor Walz’s office, Esri, and a multi-sector working group comprised of state agencies, including transportation, commerce, and the Public Utilities Commission, The Ray is facilitating the collaborative use of the ROW Transmission Tool. This project supports the analysis of 622 miles of proposed high-voltage transmission lines, aiming to accelerate evaluation, planning, and permitting. The Ray will also include an analysis of overhead transmission lines. This long-term initiative seeks is to establish a programmatic use of the tool for early-stage transmission projects and coordinate its use with transmission developers, including the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).
Additionally, in Colorado, The Ray is a partner with the State Energy Office on Alamosa County’s successful U.S. Department of Energy grant application for the Transmission Siting and Economic Development (TSED) project. This initiative addresses the critical need for expanded transmission capacity in the Upper Rio Grande Valley (URGV) to support renewable energy growth. The Ray will conduct a ROW suitability analysis for proposed transmission routes to identify the most viable option.
Finally, in North Carolina, The Ray completed a ROW transmission analysis for four corridors in the eastern part of the state in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).