Western governors' report highlights utility integration reform needs
A recent report commissioned by the Western Governors’ Association makes a solid case for implementing a number of transmission system operating reforms that will facilitate wind integration and generally make the system operate more efficiently in the Western U.S.
The report was prepared by the Regulatory Assistance Project, and it explores ways to integrate renewable energy sources in the most cost-effective manner. The report tackles many issues important to wind power, comprehensively presenting the benefits of
• sub-hourly generation dispatch and transmission scheduling,
• an Energy Imbalance Market,
• dynamic transfers,
• improving wind and solar energy forecasting,
• building transmission and using balancing area cooperation to take advantage of the geographic diversity of renewable resources,
• improving management of grid operating reserves,
• increasing and improving the use of demand response, and
• obtaining more flexibility from existing and new generation resources.
The report urges utilities, states and other jurisdictions to work collaboratively to accelerate reforms.
Related articles:
Montana-Washington transmission upgrade would be 'bargain' for Montana, June 26, 2012
WINDPOWER 2012 Update: Transmission for wind in western U.S.: Lower cost, lower variability, June 5, 2012
FERC approves Rock Island Clean Line request to start service-agreement negotiations, June 1, 2012
New study: Wind power can save Midwestern consumers between $3 billion and $9.5 billion annually by 2020, May 23, 2012
Renewable Northwest Project responds to new BPA wind curtailment, May 1, 2012
Fact check: Silverstein off base on transmission for wind, March 22, 2012
Transmission planning ... z-z-z ... but, it's important, September 1, 2011
