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. Report  

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…

This report updates and expands upon the information in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) report titled “A Review of Variable Generation Integration Charges” published in March 2013. The study found significant differences in western utility VER integration cost study methodologies, assumptions, and definitions. 01-15Report-on-Review-of-VER-Integration-Charges  

This report identifies the capabilities of resource planning models to model flexible generation, as well as determine how utilities and state regulators are assessing the need for flexibility. The study found that the resource planning or load flow models do not adequately address flexibility needs. 01-2015Report-on-Western-Power-Sector-Flexibility-Interviews  

This report describes how regulators can guide utility performance through the use of performance incentive mechanisms. These mechanisms have received increased attention due to regulatory concerns over resilience, utilities’ ability to respond to technological change, and the expanding opportunities for distributed energy resources. Report