IEEE publishes Collaborative Transmission Planning: California’s RETI paper by David Olsen

RETI (Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative) identified and ranked Renewable Energy Zones in California and neighboring regions, using both economic and environmental criteria, determined the transmission needed, based on least-regrets transmission planning principles, to access and deliver target renewable energy, and prepared a statewide conceptual transmission plan. RETI has been effective in identifying development priorities and in building stakeholder support for generation-transmission development for renewable energy. Its approach is applicable to other jurisdictions considering large-scale wind power-transmission construction.

Western Grid Group releases transition plan to clean energy

The Clean Energy Vision Project charts a sustained, orderly transition from coal and gas to more jobs, better health and true energy security. These four documents outline what policies and investments are needed as well as the how a modernized grid will operate.

WGG submits comments and recommendations for WAPA reform.

WGG submitted specific recommendations for WAPA reform to the DOE-WAPA Joint Outreach Team & comments presented at the DOE/WAPA Workshop in Folsom, CA on July 26, 2012.

Request for Rehearing of Order 764 submitted by the FERC Project.

Several groups including the Western Grid Group joined the FERC Project in requesting a rehearing of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 764. The document that was filed is linked here.

Collaborative Transmission Planning: California’s Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative

California's RETI collaborative set a high standard for aligning electricity generation and transmission with environmental values. This peer-reviewed article, in the July 2102 issue of IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, provides an overview of the rationale for both stakeholder involvement in transmission planning and for zone development of renewables.

NREL Releases Highly Anticipated Report

A new report published by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Renewable Electricity Futures Study (RE Futures), is an initial investigation of the extent to which renewable energy supply can meet the electricity demands of the continental United States over the next several decades. This study explores the implications and challenges of very high renewable electricity generation levels—from 30% up to 90%, focusing on 80%, of all U.S. electricity generation from renewable technologies—in 2050