Renewable Energy & Environmental
FERC Approves First Hydrokinetic Installation at Existing Hydro Project
In a December 13 order, FERC approved a hydrokinetic generator that City of Hastings, Minnesota proposes to install by April 2009 in the Mississippi River. Hydrokinetic projects generate electricity from waves or from the flow of water. Hastings proposed to suspend two 35-kW hydrokinetic turbines from a floating barge in the tailrace of its existing [...]
Fate of Ocean Power Projects Requires FERC and Interior Cooperation
Jurisdictional jockeying between FERC and the Department of Interior threatens development of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) ocean power projects. The issue calls out for agency cooperation and possibly an interagency agreement similar to that between FERC and the U.S. Forest Service for licensing and permitting hydroelectric projects on Forest Service lands. Absent such cooperation, the [...]
Bonneville Holding Transmission Open Season to Speed Interconnections
Transmission providers and customers alike are increasingly complaining about the lengthy queues for interconnecting to the transmission grid. Scores of generator projects sign up for interconnection service, which is then delayed for years while the transmission provider conducts an array of studies. To clear backlog on its transmission network, the Bonneville Power Administration is conducting [...]
ERCOT blames inaccurate wind predictions for February emergency event
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) recently released its Operations Report to explain why it was forced to cut electric supply to interruptible customers on February 26, 2008. The emergency event was caused largely by the convergence of the normal rapid load growth that occurs around 6:00 p.m. and a simultaneous unexpected and sudden drop [...]