Regional Renewable Energy Transmission Initiatives

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Regional Renewable Energy Transmission Initiatives
Arizona Corporation Commission 5th Biennial
Transmission Assessment Docket E-00000D-07-0376

• Laurie Woodall
• K.R. Saline and Associates, PLC

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Overview

• Increasing public policy interest in renewable
  development
• Need for more transmission in evidence
• Specific initiatives addressing integration of
  renewable energy sources into system

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Public PolicyInterest in Renewables

• Climate change / greenhouse gas concerns
• Regulatory requirements-renewable portfolio
  standards
• Diversity of fuel sources for growing load
• Potential for federal regulation of conventional
  fuel sources - Carbon Tax

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Need for Transmission

• Growing loads, transmission limitations
• Renewables may be remotely located without access
  to available transmission
• Financing of transmission can be expensive and
  difficult for smaller intermittent renewable
  generators
• Some studies, governmental/NGO private
  initiatives to address these issues

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WestConnect PlanningBiennial Long Range Study

• A Westconnectwide long range, conceptual study
  of transmission improvements needed to integrate
  renewables in the 10th year and beyond
• Study will include findings of NREL wind/solar
  integration study, Colorado Resource Energy Zones
  Study, New Mexico collector study, and SWAT
  Renewable Task Force
• Complete initial study in 2009

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Other Initiatives WGA West-wide Renewable Energy
Zones

• Regional initiative to identify best renewable
  resources and designate Renewable Energy Zones,
  based upon commercial potential and
  cost-performed by consultant
• Inclusive stakeholder process to establish
  criteria to designate and validate zones for
  development
• Develop conceptual transmission plans through
  WECC and subregional planning groups to deliver
  from highest ranking zones
• Report to WGA re commercial obstacles
• Identify options for interstate cooperation of
  planning and permitting
• Kick off meeting May 28, 2008 in Salt Lake City

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California Renewable Energy Transmission
Initiative (RETI)

• PGE, SCE, and SDGE filed renewable transmission
  reports with CPUC in September 2007
• RETI formed with collaborating agencies and
  entities CPUC, CEC, CAISO, Utilities, and other
  stakeholders
• Purpose - identify transmission necessary for
  California to achieve its renewable energy goals
  in cost-effective and environmentally sensitive
  manner. Final BV report 5/16/08
• Study area includes CA, BC,WA, NV, OR, AZ and
  Baja Norte
• Phases Identify zones, identify conceptual
  transmission, assist in development of detailed
  plans

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Colorado Initiatives

• Clean Energy Development Authority (CEDA) to
  develop three year plan, work with Colorado PUC
  Colorado Coordinated Planning Group (CCPG)
• SB 07-100 requires each regulated utility to
• Designate Resource Energy Zones,
• Develop needed transmission plans,
• Encourage locally owned renewables, and
• Submit plans and CPCN applications
• Utilities working with CCPG in phases
• April-July transmission planning groups,
• November issue study plans,
• Nov-Jan 09 prepare CPCN studies,
• March 09 file CPCN applications,
• Oct 09 file transmission plans

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Colorado Resource Energy Zones
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Nevadas Initiative (RETAAC) Renewable Energy
Transmission Access Authority

• Created by Executive Order of the Governor
• RPS - Nevada is a net importer
• Purpose
• Identify and rank commercially developable
  locations for renewable energy
• Assess existing and planned transmission access
  to these resources
• Make recommendations for additional transmission
• Phase 1 Report identified REZ, transmission
  required for access to grid, recommended
  transmission lines
• Future phases will include more detailed
  environmental review

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NevadaRETAACPlan

• Circles/Ovals Identify Renewable Energy Zones
• Conceptual Transmission Plan Shown By Brown /
  Purple Lines
• Per NPC/SPPC 5/19/08 SWAT presentation

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New Mexicos Initiatives

• SWAT New Mexico Study Group performed 2007
  Cluster Study of Potential Wind Projects in
  Central NM
• 2007 Legislature created the New Mexico
  Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA)
• RETAs Purpose
• Orchestrate multistate, multi-electric utility
  negotiations to facilitate development of NM
  transmission infrastructure for renewable energy
  development and export
• Focus is on electric system transmission
  infrastructure planning, financing, and
  implementation
• A onetime only 1 million general startup fund
  authorized
• 2008 SWAT Renewable Task Force Study Participant

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NM Wind Collector System Integrated with HPX

• Conceptual 345 kV Collector System in Central NM
• Cluster Study performed by PNM
• Per 2007 SWAT NM Study Group

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Sources

• Nevada RETAAC http//gov.state.nv.us/Energy/Final
  Report.htm
• National Renewable Energy Lab Resource Center
  http//www.nrel.gov/renewable_resources/
• New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission
  Authority http//www.emnrd.state.nm.us/MAIN/RETA2
  .htm
• US Dept of Energy Efficiency and Renewable
  Energy http//www.eere.energy.gov/
• WestConnect http//www.westconnect.com/
• AZ Climate Change http//www.azclimatechange.gov/
  index.html
• California RETI http//www.energy.ca.gov/reti/ind
  ex.html
• Colorado http//www.colorado.gov/energy/utilitie
  s/clean-energy-development-authority.asp
• WGA http//www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/wrez/
  index.htm
• Clean Electric Resource Strategy
  http//www.westernresourceadvocates.org/media/pdf/
  Clean20Electric20Energy20Strategy20for20Arizo
  na.pdf

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Sources (Continued)

• TRANSMISSION RANKING COST REPORT OF SAN DIEGO GAS
  ELECTRIC COMPANY (U 902 E) FOR RENEWABLE
  PORTFOLIO STANDARD PROCUREMENT
  http//www.sdge.com/regulatory/tariff/svc20TRCR2
  0Filing.pdf
• TRANSMISSION RANKING COST REPORT OF PACIFIC GAS
  AND ELECTRIC (U 902 E) FOR RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO
  STANDARD PROCUREMENT http//www.pge.com/includes/
  docs/pdfs/b2b/energysupply/wholesaleelectricsuppli
  ersolicitation/renewableportfoliostdsori-ii_other-
  doc_pge_20070907-01.pdf
• TRANSMISSION RANKING COST REPORT OF EDISON
  ELECTRIC COMPANY (U 902 E) FOR RENEWABLE
  PORTFOLIO STANDARD PROCUREMENT
  http//www.sce.com/nrc/rfp/2008_RPS_Appendix_D_SCE
  _TRCR.pdf