Sequestration of carbon dioxide, once captured at anthropogenic sources of production, is a measure to prevent increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration with its attendant greenhouse effect.  This paper examines the value of carbon capture and sequestration, as well as the…

The State Energy Planning Roadmap for Policy Makers addresses key emerging issues facing the Western electric power system as identified by Western stakeholders: a clean energy future and managing carbon risks; maintaining reliability with the integration of distributed energy resources;…

Distributed energy resources (DERs) include generation and other energy sources that are not centrally-located such as rooftop solar, combined heat and power, demand response and energy storage.  In order for the energy of DERs to be grid-available, they must be…

This paper examines the influence of DER location within a distribution system on benefits, such as avoided infrastructure costs, primarily using solar PV generation as an example. This paper draws upon an earlier paper, DER Interconnection Timelines and Advanced Inverter…

Frequency response is a measure of an Interconnection’s ability to arrest frequency changes and stabilize frequency immediately following the sudden loss of generation or load. It is extremely important in the reliable operation of the grid. With the transformation of…

Renewable energy is becoming an increasing and significant source of electric generation. The largest share of renewable energy growth comes from wind and solar technologies, both of which are known as variable energy resources (VERs) that have variable dispatch patterns…

Carbon pricing is a strategy being utilized by some Western states to achieve clean energy policy goals. This has been done primarily through cap and trade programs or applying a tax directly on emissions. When employing this strategy, there are…

The goal of this project was to identify barriers to electric energy storage development so that the industry and policymakers can implement solutions to address the barriers that may lead to further development of electric energy storage in the Western…

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…

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…