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 [Energy & Infrastructure](/categories/energy-infrastructure)

 # From Roadside to Resource: The Ray Leads on Powering the Grid With the Public Right-of-Way

 


 

 May 19, 2026 9:40 AM ET

  Campaign:  [The Ray](/news/campaign/ray)  ![Photo of energy transmission lines](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/Transmission%20Lines.jpg "Photo of energy transmission lines") Photo of energy transmission lines 

 

As U.S. electricity demand is projected to grow nearly 16% by 2029—driven by domestic manufacturing and high-tech industry expansion—[The Ray](http://www.theray.org) is reimagining the public right-of-way (ROW) as a vital land-use solution. They've shared their latest work in establishing a national blueprint for energy infrastructure colocation and grid resilience.

**Optimizing Infrastructure through Proprietary Methodology**

As the leading experts in ROW innovation, The Ray is helping state agencies bridge the gap between transportation and the utility sector through:

- **Exclusive Asset Mapping:** Leveraging the only complete national database of highway right-of-way to identify viable transmission and energy sites with unparalleled precision.
- **Virtual Power Plants (VPPs):** Coordinating roadside distributed energy resources (DERs) to create a flexible, decentralized system that meets grid needs at a 15-35% lower cost than traditional infrastructure.
- **Interagency Coordination:** Leading national models for early collaboration between DOTs and energy agencies to accelerate the integration of high-voltage transmission.

[See The Ray's Partner Map](https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/ddaa6ebb6d5f435eb95bb89bfc146ea2/page/Page?utm_source=The+Ray&utm_campaign=5883d566b9-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_10_30_04_42_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-40089cde12-586847693) of state departments of transportation, turnpikes and local partners.

**Strategic Expansion of the American Grid**

The Ray's recent collaboration with the Maine Department of Energy Resources (MaineDOER) and its nationwide suitability analysis represent a significant evolution in technical capabilities. By leveraging proprietary methodology and national data, The Ray is proving that state DOTs can transform underutilized roadsides into high-value assets that strengthen both the economy and the grid.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/Screen_Shot_2014-11-05_at_3.00.07_PM.png)](/profiles/ray-c-anderson-foundation)

 



 

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