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NorthWestern Energy and Smart Wires to Deploy Advanced Transmission Technologies on Montana-Wyoming Transmission Corridor
Date: Oct 5, 2026
TYPE: News
Butte, Mont. – Oct. 5, 2026 – NorthWestern Energy and Smart Wires are selected for grant funding through the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity's Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and Other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) program for a project that will deploy advanced transmission technologies to increase transfer capability between Montana and Wyoming using existing transmission infrastructure.
The project will use advanced flow control and dynamic line rating technologies to address transmission constraints and increase the utilization of an existing southeast Montana transmission corridor without requiring new transmission line construction or major substation expansions.
The project will improve transfer capability between Montana and Wyoming and support the movement of electricity across the regional transmission system.
"The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity's support for projects such as this reflects the importance of transmission infrastructure in meeting growing electricity demand while maintaining reliability and affordability for customers," said NorthWestern Energy Vice President Planning, Development and Asset Management Bleau LaFave. "This project focuses on increasing the capability of existing transmission assets through the application of advanced transmission technologies. Increasing transfer capability in southeastern Montana will improve system reliability, provide access to additional energy resources and support transfers between regional electricity markets.
“Across the country, utilities need to move more power on the lines they already have, and they need to do it quickly,” said Joaquin Peirano, General Manager, Americas, Smart Wires. “By deploying SmartValve™ advanced power flow control to address the corridor’s limiting element, NorthWestern Energy will unlock additional capacity on the path while gaining greater control over how power flows across it. SmartValve’s modular design also allows the solution to scale or be redeployed as the corridor’s needs evolve, strengthening reliability for customers in Montana and across the region.”
The project will increase transfer capability between Montana and Wyoming and demonstrate the application of advanced transmission technologies to address transmission constraints using existing infrastructure. The project also aligns with broader efforts to improve the use of existing transmission assets and support reliable operation of the regional transmission system.
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NorthWestern Energy - Delivering a Bright Future
NorthWestern Energy, provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services that enrich lives and empower communities while serving as long-term partners to our customers and communities. We work to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions that create value for customers, communities, employees, and investors. We do this by providing low-cost and reliable service performed by highly-adaptable and skilled employees. We provide electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 850,300 customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Yellowstone National Park. Our operations in Montana and Yellowstone National Park are conducted through our subsidiary, NW Corp, and our operations in South Dakota and Nebraska are conducted through our subsidiary, NWE Public Service. We have provided service in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and in Montana since 2002.
About Smart Wires
Smart Wires helps utilities and transmission operators solve urgent grid reliability and capacity challenges by unlocking firm, controllable capacity from existing transmission infrastructure. Using advanced power flow control, the company enables a faster, lower-cost path to connect new loads, reduce congestion and improve system performance without waiting for new lines or major substation builds. With more than a decade of deployments in 15+ countries and across four continents, Smart Wires has delivered more than 5 GW of firm, controllable capacity on more than 40 transmission circuits worldwide. The technology is operating on critical networks in the U.S., Europe and Australia, supporting load growth, reducing congestion costs and strengthening grid reliability.
Headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, Smart Wires partners with utilities and transmission owners to deliver flexible, proven solutions that perform under real-world operating conditions and continue to create value as the grid evolves.
Media Contacts:
NorthWestern Energy
Jo Dee Black
866-622-8081
Smart Wires
Roberto Castro
919-294-3999
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NorthWestern Energy is a community within many communities. We are close to 1,600 individuals working collectively to build stronger communities in Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota through the production, generation and delivery of electricity and natural gas.
YOUR ENERGY AT A GLANCE
55%
of our electric generation in Montana comes from carbon-free sources
37%
of the electricity we generate for South Dakota comes from wind projects
0
net carbon emissions by 2050
Where Does Your Energy Come From?
Where Does Your Energy Come From?
At NorthWestern Energy, our goal is to provide our customers reliable energy at the lowest long-term cost. We do this through a balanced mix of safe, reliable, affordable and clean energy. Our electric portfolio is built on the carbon-free hydro system, along with wind, coal, gas and solar. This mix of renewable and traditional resources helps us keep energy bills as affordable and predictable as possible.
Our planning team produces a comprehensive, long-term plan updated every two to three years. The planning process includes stakeholder meetings that are open to the public.