News Roundup
News Roundup for June 1
A WORK IN PROGRESS
Green grid
The California Independent System Operator’s 2010-2011 transmission plan demonstrates that infrastructure approved to date is adequate to carry thousands of new megawatts to meet the state’s ambitious renewable resources goal, the group said. The ISO acknowledged uncertainty, however, regarding how California will ultimately meet its 33 percent renewable portfolio standard goal in terms of locations, resource mix and quantity of renewable resources. The ISO said it would continue to work with state agencies and stakeholders to evaluate development trends and policy directives beginning with next year’s planning cycle, and reassess transmission needs accordingly.
CRITICAL CHALLENGES
The five most critical challenges facing the North American energy industry, in order of importance, are environmental regulation, aging infrastructure, non-environmental regulation, an aging workforce, and the need for new pricing mechanisms, according to a new survey. Maintaining reliable power delivery was cited as a key by 55 percent of respondents, while 51 percent identified cyber security technology as highly important. The annual survey drew responses from more than 100 senior executives in the U.S. and Canadian electric and natural gas industries. It was conducted by Capgemini, a consulting firm, and information provider Platts.
NORTHWEST NEGOTIATIONS
The Bonneville Power Administration and BC Hydro are pursuing a new long-term agreement to use additional reservoir storage on the upper Columbia River in Canada to provide safer flows for protected fish and support power generation. Such an agreement would also provide flexibility to control river flows during high runoff periods, BPA noted, which would help manage power generation and spill to protect fish. The parties have developed nonbinding terms and will attempt to negotiate a long-term agreement, in accordance with the federal plan for protecting threatened and endangered Snake and Columbia river salmon.
ENOUGH COAL
Power plants along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers appear to have sufficient coal stocks, despite flooding that has disrupted traffic, the Energy Information Administration said May 31. The flooding in late April and early May affected barge traffic in some areas, resulting in delayed coal deliveries to power plants. However, power plant operators in states affected by recent flooding have on average between 59 to 76 days of coal supply in their stockpiles, EIA said.
—Based on news and wire reports
Tags: News Roundup