California Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative

1
California Renewable Energy Transmission
Initiative

• Dave Olsen
• Geothermal Resources Council
• October 2, 2007

2
Outline

• California Renewable Energy Transmission
  Initiative (RETI)
• Proactive planning
• Renewables-first transmission
• Regional markets for renewables

3
California Policy, Projects

• 33 renewables by 2020
• Necessary to meet AB 32 CO2 reduction goals for
  electric sector
• 40,000 MW renewables in CAISO queue
• Transmission upgrades essential
• 4,500 MW Tehachapi Transmission Project underway

4
RETI

• 1. Identify Competitive Renewable Energy Zones
  (CREZ) 7-8 months
• Multi-technology (geothermal, wind, CSP)
• Collaborative planning with adjacent states
• 2. Develop conceptual transmission plans to
  access priority CREZ (12-14 months)
• 3. Complete detailed plans of service for 2-4 EHV
  projects, to support CPCN applications

5
RETI Structure

• Joint effort of CPUC, CEC, CAISO, POUs
• Stakeholder Steering Committee
• Transmission providers, generators, agencies,
  LSEs, regulators, counties, enviros, consumers
• Meets monthly forms workgroups as needed
• Plenary Stakeholder Group
• All stakeholders, public
• Meets bi-monthly

6
Proactive Planning

• Required by state clean energy policies
• Supported by FERC Remote Resources
  Interconnection tariff
• Integrates generation with transmission planning,
  while respecting Order 890
• Clean power on the line a major factor in public
  acceptance

7
Renewables-First Transmission

• 3,000 MW projects in active development
• Mega-projects need, can afford dedicated tx
• Renewables-only lines economic when regional
  power cost differentials are large
• No apparent conflict with OATT
• Most western tx needed next 20 years can be
  planned, approved to supply renewables
• Coal with CCS can use lines later

8
Renewables-First Projects

• CA Sagebrush Tehachapi Imperial Valley
• TX Competitive Renewable Energy Zones
• MN Buffalo Ridge
• SD 5,000 MW Rolling Thunder
• WY-CO Intertie MATL
• BC 3,000 MW Seabreeze
• Others not yet publicly announced

9
Regional Markets

• Larger markets more liquid more buyers more
  renewable energy development
• Encourages development of best resources,
  minimizes transmission
• Depends on REC trading, interstate cooperation,
  regional resource planning