NEMA Currents : transmission

Connecting the Dots in Waxman-Markey

Hsieh, Eric — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:21:00 GMT

Waxman-Markey will require 20% renewables by 2020. To see how that changes the power generation industry, I plotted the EIA’s business-as-usual case versus the HR 2454 requirements.

How do we get from here, the EIA base case, to there, the 290% increase in Waxman-Markey? To connect wind energy alone, the Department of Energy estimates that we will need 12,000 – 19,000 miles of new high voltage lines at cost of $20 to $26 billion. Without grid access, remote renewable projects can't get project financing. Industry representatives told Congress that it is no longer unusual for the approval process to take five or ten years.

Unfortunately, previous attempts to accelerate the siting process have been unsuccessful. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals recently denied FERC's federal backstop authority as provided by EPAct 2005. True reform of transmission siting requires an overhaul of the entire process. First, environmental concerns should be aired in an open process that takes months, not decades, coordinated by a federal agency. Second, a federal agency should have the ability to site a line if it is in the clear national interest to do so. Current climate legislation provides some of these building blocks, and we need to ensure that these measures are passed.

House Committee Seeks Ways to Modernize, Expand Grid

Hsieh, Eric — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:03:00 GMT

The House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on Friday to discuss the future of the transmission grid. As noted in this blog before, obtaining federal permits can sometimes be as time-consuming as coordinating between states. Rich Halvey from the Western Governors Association noted that the federal permitting process can take 5 to 10 years. Chairman Markey barely covered his incredulity, noting that sometimes it is not the states, but “The federal government [that] serves as an impediment.”

In a promising sign for grid operators and NEMA members, representatives from both parties seemed to agree on the need for more transmission lines. Several committee members voiced a desire for FERC to appeal the 4th Circuit decision to sharply limit the Commission’s backstop transmission siting authority.

Finally, FERC Chairman Wellinghoff clarified earlier remarks that no new coal or nuclear would be needed. Wellinghoff noted that a smart grid integration of load with renewables could effectively displace baseload, and estimated an implementation timeframe of 10 to 15 years.

A Little Ol' Transmission Fable

Hsieh, Eric — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:26:00 GMT

At a meeting of western states on the subject of renewable transmission, one state official lamented that the major obstacle to new lines, in some specific cases, was the federal government itself, with disparate agencies creating multiple hurdles. I found the comment non-intuitive. Isn’t transmission siting primarily restricted by disagreements between states on cost recovery and a NIMBY mentality? Since the comment was made in an off-the-record setting, I filed it and moved on until substantial supporting evidence emerged. Now, after reviewing an EPA letter to the Tehachapi project, I understand the state official’s comment. For certain classes of lines – those that have all necessary state-level approvals – the Federal government can act as an unintended barrier.

The Tehachapi project is designed to carry renewable energy, mostly from wind turbines, from the Tehachapi Valley to Southern California. The project has received regulatory rate approval from FERC and the CPUC. However, the latest trip-up comes from the EPA itself. Among other comments, the EPA requests that the developers maximize the use of helicopter construction in order to minimize the habitat damage caused by road construction. While the suggestion is understandable, implementation will raise costs. The EPA then goes on to say that because the South Coast Air Basin is in a non-attainment status for air pollutants, the helicopter construction should take place in fall and winter to minimize ozone formation.

In deference to the little old lady who swallowed a fly, this project thus sets up a cascade of mitigations. Build wind generation to reduce CO2 emissions. Build transmission to get the wind to reduce CO2. Use helicopters to avoid damaging the forest to build the transmission to get the wind to reduce CO2. Restrict operations to avoid emitting particulates but use helicopters to build the transmission to get the wind to reduce CO2.

The irony here is that the layers of regulations designed to protect the environment are hindering the very projects we need to minimize environmental impact. If there is any truth to the children’s tale, we need to break the cycle of circular environmental restrictions to achieve our environmental objectives. As policymakers examine how to expedite transmission construction, the federal government may be as valid a starting point as the states.

Fact Versus Fiction on Energy Storage Systems

Schweitzer, Eric — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:45:00 GMT

Often, important emerging technologies get caught up in misconstrued facts and misunderstandings of capacities and roles in an already technology-driven and confusing world. An example of this can be found in a recent op-ed in the Washington Post, "Getting Real on Wind and Solar" by James Schlesinger and Robert Hirsch. It's great they included a reference to energy storage systems (ESS) as a necessary component of the smart grid architecture for renewable energy. And they're right that the wind doesn't always blow, the sun doesn't always shine -- so having a stockpile of energy that can be tapped into on demand, and especially during high demand or "peak demand" hours, is very important to ensuring adequate energy is always available. But their main thesis that renewable energy can't be pursued without adding coal-based utility resources or without using hydroelectric dams as energy storage tanks is wrong.

Using today's readily available technologies, ESS can run without the support of a hydroelectric dam or a coal based utility. The NEMA Energy Storage Council includes companies that produce flow cell batteries, flywheel generators, batteries (lithium ion, lead acid, lead carbon, sodium sulphur, zinc bromine, vanadium redox, etc), thermal systems, concentrated solar panels; even Plug-in Hybrid Electrical Vehicles that show great potential as a distributed mass ESS. The list goes on and on and it will continue to grow as existing and emerging technologies vie for the top spot. While stationary (flywheel, flow cells, etc.) ESS does require a larger footprint in terms of space requirements and can be used in some cases as "spinning reserves" for hydroelectric dams; their value must not be unappreciated or misrepresented. Both stationary and mobile ESS (Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) provide a vastly untapped revolutionary resource with the ability to alleviate our present and rapidly growing energy crisis and ensure a future success towards building a "smart grid." ESS can provide solutions to current grid capacity issues, residential/ commercial/ industrial/ military back-up generation, load leveling, frequency response just to name a few."

It's important that NEMA continue to serve the role of advocate during these organizational periods where stakeholders grapple with the feat of learning where to go to for accurate and timely information.

Energy Storage Technology Is Vital For "Smart" Grid Efforts

Schweitzer, Eric — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:08:00 GMT

NEMA is taking the lead in making Smart Grid and Energy Storage technologies a reality. The NEMA Energy Storage Council (ESC) has held successful meetings where attendees have drafted a list of application categories that help define where Energy Storage (ES) and Distributed Generation (DG) technologies should play a role. The NEMA ESC consisting of manufacturer, utility and government representative stakeholders further established and tasked a NEMA ESC Technical Committee (Stationary and Mobile Subcommittee) to identify specific action items aimed at facilitating the promotion of ES/DG technology to commercial and non-commercial markets. The result of the NEMA ESC Technical Committee meeting January 15, 2009 was an agreement to present a proposal for an all encompassing ES/DG demonstration program to prove the criticality of ES/DG technologies to the Department of Energy. It was fully agreed and can not be understated here that without the complete integration of ES/DG technologies to our ailing National electricity grid there can be no realized “Smart Grid.” Through this proposed demonstration program ES/DG manufacturers aim to prove the essentiality of ES/DG technologies to Smart Grid functionality and to demonstrate to the Government and Federal Agencies that ES/ DG technology can drive increased grid reliability, further reduction of carbon emissions, advanced T/D/G (Transmission/ Distribution/ Generation) capability, islanding capability, renewable energy penetration, interconnection realization, voltage support for public transportation systems, remote area power system capability (RAPS), zero net energy building capability, energy security, economic studies/ cost benefit analyses, and where electrical standards are required. The NEMA ESC has asked the Government Relations Department at NEMA to immediately get the message to Capitol Hill, The Obama Administration, DOE, FERC, NERC and other governmental agencies that NEMA is leading an effort to ensure Smart Grid success in addition to facilitating Energy Storage tax incentives equivalent to those being awarded to renewable technologies such as wind, solar, and hydro. For more information please contact Eric Schweitzer, NEMA Technical Program Manager at Eric.Schweitzer@NEMA.org

FERC Boosts Advanced Transmission Technologies

Hsieh, Eric — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:36:00 GMT

In one of the first cases to explicitly consider the use of advanced transmission technologies, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved a 135 basis point rate adder for incorporation of an underground HVDC line, fiber-optic cables, and static var compensators into the proposed New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI) line. FERC found that the NYRI met a “nexus test” of scope, need, and challenge that merited an increase in rate recovery, and that the project utilized advanced technologies specifically outlined in section 1223 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This approval is great news for the smart grid community, as segment by segment, our transmission system is getting upgrades to current-era technology.

The technology bridge for wind energy transmission

Hsieh, Eric — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Yesterday’s New York Times wrote about how the demand for wind generation is exceeding the transmission required to deliver that energy. While the article is correct that more wind can be integrated without new technology, intelligent systems (all part of the smart grid) could act as a bridge during the years to decades required to propose, permit, and construct a new transmission line.

Advanced technology can make more efficient use of existing facilities and corridors. Real-time transmission line ratings and special protection schemes allow operators to run the grid closer to its true limit under varying conditions. Storage devices can smooth out the momentary peaks from wind gusts, allowing more total energy flows through a smaller line.

New technologies can also increase the capacity of existing corridors. Old power lines can be replaced with advanced materials that withstand greater stress. Transformers can step up to higher voltages which transmit more energy with fewer losses. Finally, underground transmission lines can be placed in non-electricity rights-of-way.

None of these technologies will help, however, if there is no transmission line or corridor to the wind turbines in the first place. For that, we must call on Congress, FERC, the RTOs, state commissions, and environmental agencies to hash out a plan to balance climate and environmental protection with our growing energy needs.

You Can’t Get There From Here

Choinski, Scott — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:18:00 GMT

Many people would agree that renewable energy is a good thing. Getting electric utilities to rely less on coal and natural gas to fire plants would reduce one of the biggest sources of CO₂ emissions in the US. There is a problem with this strategy – transmission. As reported recently in the Washington Times, San Diego Gas & Electric wants to build a large solar power operation in the SoCal desert, but the current plan calls for a 150 mile high voltage transmission line that would cut through pristine parkland. Naturally, the plan faces fierce opposition from environmental groups, and likely from the NIMBY crowd.

Renewable power requires abundant sunshine and wind, but these areas are typically in remote locations. No one will build plants without power lines to connect those remote spots to big cities. Some trade-offs are required. Clean energy may require building infrastructure in potentially sensitive areas. Other examples will crop up across the country as state regulators are requiring utilities to boost the use of renewable energy to run electric plants.

Transmission For Renewables: Part 2

Hsieh, Eric — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:19:00 GMT

This afternoon, the President spoke about climate change and tossed out a goodie to those who have been harping for years on the need to build transmission to connect renewables. It’s great to have recognition from the top validating efforts on the ground, which leads us to the next project in this quazi-series.

The Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project consists of eleven segments that will connect anticipated wind farms to the Southern California Edison system. The Tehachapi segments are a combination of upgrades to existing facilities as well as new lines on new rights-of-way. The California Public Utilities Commission approved the line on March 15, 2007. FERC approved incentive rates for the project in on November 15, 2007. The rate adders have since been challenged by various petitioners, and FERC granted rehearing this past January. Stay tuned to this development.

Transmission Lines for Renewables Part 1: Southwest Minnesota

Hsieh, Eric — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:01:00 GMT

Back in 2003, the Minnesota PUC approved a series of transmission upgrades requested by Xcel energy. In order to credibly ensure that the transmission was in fact used for renewables (and not just cover for routine expansion) the PUC conditioned the project on Xcel entering into contracts with wind farms in tandem with the completion of the lines. The Southwest Minnesota lines are under construction and in several instances substantially complete. In many respects this project represents the success story for transmission: landowner concerns were addressed, transmission capacity will be expanded, and the utility will increase its mix of renewable generation.