Regional Generator Outlet Study Released
To develop transmission portfolios for fulfilling RPS requirements in the Midwest and to meet the objective of achieving the lowest delivered dollar-per-MWh cost, Midwest ISO, with the assistance of state regulators and industry stakeholders, recently released the Regional Generator Outlet Study (RGOS). During initial RGOS phases, analysis showed that locating wind zones in a distributed manner throughout the system—as opposed to only locating the wind local to load or regionally where the best wind resources are located—results in a set of least-cost wind zones that help to reduce the delivered dollar-per-MWh cost needed to meet renewable energy requirements.
From this earlier work, a combination of local and regional wind zones were identified and approved by the Upper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative (UMTDI). Further solidifying the validity of this methodology, the Midwest Governors’ Association affirmed the method employed in selecting these wind zones as the best approach to wind zone selection. RGOS determined the best-fit solution to be a transmission overlay encompassing all Midwest ISO states, premised on a distributed set of wind zones, each with varying capacity factors and distances from load.
RGOS narrowed its focus to the development of three transmission expansion scenarios to integrate wind from the designated zones: (1) a Native Voltage overlay that does not introduce new voltages such as 765 kV in areas where they do not currently exist; (2) a 765-kV overlay allowing the introduction of 765-kV transmission throughout the study footprint; and (3) Native Voltage with DC transmission that allows for the expansion of DC technology within the study footprint. All three transmission expansion scenarios meet respective state RPS requirements within the Midwest ISO footprint. The full report, as well as a summary of submitted comments and responses, is available on the Midwest ISO’s website.
Wind on the Wires Key Accomplishments for 2009
Highlights from Wind on the Wires' efforts to help bring wind energy to market in the Midwest.
MISO Interconnection Queue Process
Link to MISO's website for the latest information on the MISO Generator Interconnection Queue Process, FERC Order on Queue Reform, and new procedures for transition of projects currently in the queue.
Attached Link and PDF
1. MISO Interconnection Queue Process
2. AWEA / WOW Joint Q Reform comments filed at FERC on 7-17-08
MISO Transmission Expansion Process (MTEP)
Link to the latest information on the MISO transmission planning processes underway.
Attached Link
1. MISO Transmission Expansion Process
Joint & Coordinated System Plan (JCSP)
Link to workshop materials on MISO website.
Attached Link
1. Joint & Coordinated System Plan
Minnesota Dispersed Renewable Generation Study (DRG)
The Phase I report of the Minnesota Dispersed Renewable Generation Study is available. more
Release of the AWEA/DOE/NREL “20% Wind Energy by 2030” Report
Major new technical report finds wind can provide 20% of U.S. electricity needs by 2030.
Attached PDF's and Link
1. AWEA's Press Release on "20% Wind Energy by 2030" Report
2. DOE Press Release 5-12-08
3. Report Available at: www.20percentwind.org
Renewable Resources - Integration Challenges and Opportunities
Renewable Resources - Integration Challenges and Opportunities
Matthew Schuerger, PE, Energy Systems Consulting Services, White Paper on wind power
and wind integration prepared for the Midwest ISO Annual Stakeholder Meeting on April 16, 2008.
Attached PDF
1. Matt Schuerger, Energy Systems Consulting Renewables Integration
MISO Queue Reform
Follow the link to the latest information on the MISO Queue reform process.
Attached Link
1. MISO Queue Reform
Xcel Energy Renewable Energy Plan
Xcel filed its Renewable Energy Plan with the Minnesota Public Utilites Commission,
Docket No. E-002/M-07-1558. Xcel's initial filing can be accessed by searching the docket number on the case control sheet link below. Wind on the Wires is participating in this docket.
Attached Link and Files
1. To search the MN PUC for Case Control Sheet:
Click on Link: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/DocumentSearch.do
Enter Docket No.07-1558 (enter "07" in the "year" box) and (enter "1558" in the "number" box)
Click on the Search button at the bottom of the page (no need to enter a document type)
2. WOW/IWLA-MWO/Fresh Energy/MCEA Comments February 11, 2008
3. WOW/IWLA-MWO/Fresh Energy/MCEA Reply Comments March 3, 2008
MN Wind Integration Study
Groundbreaking Minnesota Wind Integration Study finds up to
25% wind can be incorporated reliably into electric power system.
Attached PDF
1. MN Wind Integration Study
2 .MN DOC Final Report November 30, 2006
Archive
Midwest Wind Power Development
Wind on the Wires provided an overview of Midwest wind power market drivers and projections at a workshop for transmission planners, regulators, and regional stakeholders organized by the National Wind Coordinating Committee in February 2004.
Attached Files
1. NWCC021104_Schuerger.pdf
Net Environmental Impact of Transmission
Wind on the Wires, working with the Union of Concerned Scientists, is conducting a study to quantify the net environmental impacts of transmission expansion envisioned in the Midwest Independent System Operatorﾒs 2003 Expansion Study. This is a mid-project report.
Attached Files
1. NEITS_AWEA_presentation_032904.pdf
2. NEITS_paper_WOW&UCS_032204.pdf
Buffalo Ridge Transmission Case Conditions
Presentation summarizes the conditions that Wind on the Wires crafted and the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission adopted in Xcel Energy's Buffalo Ridge transmission line case. The company's Certificate of Need (CON) requires it to complete specific actions to ensure that the new transmission lines are reserved for wind energy.
Attached Files
1. 345_presentation.pdf
Wind-Hydro Integration In the Missouri Basin
This study is in the process of assessing technical, economic, and institutional opportunities (and barriers) to utilizing hydro generation facilities on the Missouri River system to increase the amount of wind generation capacity in the upper Midwest.
Attached Files
1. WOW_Wind_Hydro_120803.pdf
Utility Wind Integration - State of the Art
Prepared by Utility WInd Integration Group (UWIG) in cooperation with American
Public Power Association, Edison Electric Institute, and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Attached PDF
1.UWIG Wind Integration May 2006
Dakotas Wind Transmission Study - Summary of Tasks 1- 4
WAPA Wind Hydro Study. Submitted by: ABB, Inc., Electrical Systems Consulting
Attached PDF
1. Study Summary - Revised