This report begins an exploration of potential new electricity trading patterns in the Western Interconnection over the next ten years as a result of the changing generation mix. Higher penetrations of solar generation will have a noticeable effect on daily trading patterns and transmission flows across the West. 04-28-15-E3-WIEB-Western-Resource-Plans-Effect-on-Regional-Electricity-Trading-Patterns  

This report explores a modular approach to multi-state compliance with the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. Under this approach individual states would develop their own state compliance plans and meet their own state targets, but would develop portions of their plans – called compliance “modules” – in voluntary collaboration with other states. The report describes the…

This report concerns the issue of methane leakage during the life cycle of natural gas-fired power generation. Methane leakage is an important issue because methane is a greenhouse gas (GHG) of much greater global warming potential than carbon dioxide (as much as 86 times greater over a 20-year time frame). Although natural gas-fired generation results…

Distributed Energy Resources (DER) are, and will continue to be, a growing component of WECC resources. Historically, new facility investment in distribution systems has been for load growth; more recently, investment in distribution systems has expanded to include DER (on both the utility and customer sides), reliability improvements, and new customer services such as electric…

This report documents the assumptions in four planning scenarios developed in consultation with an SPSC modeling work group. These scenarios illustrate future state-level resource mixes that could result from strategies that state may employ to comply with the Clean Power Plan. Two scenarios will be submitted to WECC for a practice run of modeling and…

These reports develop a new methodology for calculating transmission path transfer capabilities that better reflect actual system operating conditions. The new methodology would allow for more active management of path flows by automating the path rating process and using data from the recently deployed synchrophasor network. More accurate path ratings would improve the utilization of…

Energy and Environmental Economics (E3) completed the Interim Project Report of the Western Interconnection Flexibility Assessment. This is a collaborative project among WECC, WIEB, NREL and E3 to investigate the operational challenges of increasing levels of variable generation in the Western Interconnection and to explore potential solutions for the adequate flexibility in the power system.…

This report provides an overview of the state of transmission planning in the Western Interconnection. It covers the planning done by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), the Northern Tier Transmission Group (NTTG), ColumbiaGrid and WestConnect. 04-15-15-ICF-WIEB-Western-Planning-Regions  

This report provides a roadmap for assessing the reliability challenges associated with high levels of variable energy resources and the retirement of coal plants in the Western Interconnection. The report discusses the types of analysis and data needed to identify and quantify potential reliability problems, as well as the identification and analysis of mitigation options…