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The electric power sector is experiencing a rapid shift towards renewable energy resources. To accommodate this transition, the transmission system requires significant upgrades. Although enhancing grid capacity through transmission network expansion is always a solution, it can be very costly and requires a protracted permitting process. Grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) encompass a broad range of hardware and software tools that enable reconfiguration of the transmission grid and adjustment of its parameters. The proliferation of such technologies enhances transfer capability over the current transmission network, thus reducing the need for grid expansion. This paper offers a comprehensive review of grid-enhancing technologies. The paper discusses definitions of transmission flexibility and presents methods that are developed to quantify grid flexibility. The paper offers a comprehensive review of an extensive range of grid-enhancing technologies, including both principles of operation and state-of-the-art developments. Environmental impacts of grid-enhancing technologies, including renewable energy curtailment and carbon emission reduction, are also discussed. In addition to technical aspects of grid enhancing technologies, the paper also reviews the literature on the incentive challenges facing GETs adoption and efficient. Overall, the paper offers a comprehensive review of the advancements in grid-enhancing technologies, discusses the remaining critical challenges, and identifies directions for future research. • Grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) are necessary for the future grid. • GETs can enhance the transfer capability up to 50% over the existing grid. • While some GETs rely on mature technology, industry adoption remains rather limited. • GETs integration within energy management systems faces modeling challenges. • Current market and regulatory structures provide little to no incentive for adoption and efficient operation of GETs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased levels of renewable energy penetration have created new congestion patterns in recent years. Since the grid is not designed for the new patterns, the operators may need to curtail renewable energy to maintain transmission flows within acceptable limits. Transmission line impedance control, using flexible ac transmission system (FACTS) devices, has been proposed as an approach to relieve congestion in transmission systems and enhance renewable energy utilization. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive study to provide insights on FACTS implementation's impact on renewable energy integration and carbon emission reduction. The study considers variations in renewable energy penetration level, system loading patterns, location of renewable generation, and location of FACTS devices. Furthermore, generation mix data from prominent regional transmission organizations (RTO) are used to achieve more realistic results. Simulations studies are carried out on a modified RTS-96 system with a two-stage stochastic unit commitment model. The results show that, even though impedance control is effective in cost reduction, it has limitations in facilitating renewable energy integration in systems with prominent cheap fossil fuel power plants. • Impedance control reduces cost but may not always enhance renewable integration. • Generation mix highly influences the effectiveness of FACTS in emission reduction. • For high levels of renewable penetration, transmission expansion is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]