Southwest Power Pool’s Post

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to prohibit transmission providers from allowing generating facilities to recover their costs associated with the supply of reactive power within the “standard power factor range.” If adopted, the Rulemaking could have serious ramifications for generators that currently receive reactive power compensation or are developing projects in regions that currently allow generators to recover costs for the provision of reactive power. The Commission is currently seeking comments on potential reliability impacts, the potential transition time to effectuate the rule, and any potential risks or harm the rule poses to the industry. Bill DeGrandis Gregory Jones Alexander Kaplen #FERC #EnergyAndInfrastructure

The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) has made updates to the Hydro and Electric Energy Regulation to align with the Alberta government’s Electricity Statutes (Modernizing Alberta’s Electricity Grid) Amendment Act that came into force March 6, 2024. See more details from the AUC post below. In addition, a copy of Commission Order 2024-001, which includes the new Hydro and Electric Energy Regulation, can be found here: https://lnkd.in/efAAgKtm #AUC #AlbertaUtilitiesCommission #renewables #solar #wind #hydro #AlbertaGenerationApprovalsPauseRegulation #hydroandelectricenergyregulation #regulatorycompliance #regulatoryrequirements #regulatorychange #landuse #municpal #environment #viewscapes #smallpowerplants #isolatedpowergeneratingunits

GEAR Up! The US National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) established a taskforce on Gas-Electric Alignment for Reliability (GEAR) in November 2023 to investigate solutions to gas-electric coordination to maintain the ongoing reliability of North American power systems as our resource mix evolves. The task force is a combination of regulators, market participants, and an RTO (PJM). GEAR will be in place for 15 months and "will seek solutions that balance the interests of regulatory and industry stakeholders while maintaining and enhancing the reliability and affordability of our nation’s energy systems. GEAR will focus on near-term problems, largely related to real time operational challenges, and longer term challenges related to expanding the infrastructure needed to support demand of both gas and electric utilities." GEAR will publish a status report in November 2024 and its final report in February 2025. Given Alberta's total dependence on natural gas for resource adequacy and reliability, I recommend that this is something all Alberta market participants and agencies should pay attention to. GEAR website: https://lnkd.in/gnEgU-RB GEAR charter: https://lnkd.in/gWcy2nku

The AUC has made updates to the Hydro and Electric Energy Regulation to align with the Alberta government’s Electricity Statutes (Modernizing Alberta’s Electricity Grid) Amendment Act that came into force today. The updated regulation, which the AUC made through Commission Order 2024-001 came into force at the same time. https://lnkd.in/ep8hy3NM The updated regulation aims to improve efficiency and reduce regulatory burden by eliminating outdated filing requirements, includes new requirements for energy storage facilities and clarifies the approval process for alterations to existing facilities and certain types of connection applications. It also provides for exclusions from certain sections of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act in respect of small power plants and isolated generating units. A copy of Commission Order 2024-001, which includes the new Hydro and Electric Energy Regulation, can be found here: https://lnkd.in/g9psD-x3 Additional information can be found in Bulletin 2024-04: https://lnkd.in/gcTHq5wW

Energy grids like district heating but also district cooling are more commonly used today in order to make use of the waste heat and thereby increase the exploitation of the energy content in a fuel. The energy flows must be well monitored and managed. The energy being sold or procured need an accurate measurement for accounting purposes meeting local custody transfer requirements. A number of calibrated and certified instruments compliant to the measuring instruments directive MID and other standards such as OIML are available for the measurement of energy flows. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4f1H5il #powergeneration #energyefficiency #energymanagement #energyindustry #powerplant #powerindustry #powerdistribution #energytransition #renewableenergy #newenergy #districtheating

The UK's energy mix will continue to rely on natural gas beyond 2035, with a projected replacement by 2050. The current gas demand is three times higher than electricity demand, with 22 million homes using natural gas. The conversion rate from 2025 to 2050 is expected to be around 20,000 homes per week. The phase out of natural gas boilers is expected to accelerate. #DNO #gridcompliance #developers #powersystem #electricity #gridconnection #electricitybill #netzero #powergrid

Empower your utilities business with the best data resources possible. Imagine what access to historical, current, and forecast atmospheric weather parameters, including temperature, wind, precipitation, and more can do for you. Check out the DTN solutions that can help you efficiently transition to FERC 881. #FERC #utiltiies #UtilityCompany #weather #TransmissionLines

#FlashBackFriday: Twenty-two years ago, we helped a utility increase power capacity and phase out older coal-fire systems with this 345kV switchyard that interconnects a natural gas-fired power plant. Natural gas projects are on the rise again as utilities across the U.S. look for ways to meet growing power demands while transitioning to cleaner energy sources.   What challenges are you facing on your gas-fired power projects? Tell us about them so we can give you peace of mind with tailored solutions backed by nearly 50 years of experience: https://lnkd.in/dygpTeJB   #HighVoltage #EPC #Substation #EnergyInfrastructure #EnergyTransition #Utilities #NaturalGas #GasFired

Today, ACP published a model ordinance framework providing comprehensive guidance for state and local governments on siting and permitting rules related to developing and operating utility-scale battery energy storage systems. This framework builds upon ACP’s support for the adoption of the latest safety standards, and incorporates requirements and guidance established by the National Fire Protection Association safety standard for energy storage, NFPA 855. “The energy storage industry has consistently been on the forefront of promoting and demonstrating excellence in safety and reliability,” said Frank Macchiarola, Chief Policy Officer of ACP. “These efforts build upon that work and represent the most expansive and meaningful efforts to date in promoting the adoption of the latest national safety standards, as well as the development of rigorous and reasonable rules for the development and operation of battery energy storage resources. These resources ensure communities can responsibly facilitate the deployment of energy storage and benefit from the technology’s unique ability to boost grid reliability and lower energy costs.”  Press Release: https://lnkd.in/eZTHJ-q4 Model Ordinance: https://lnkd.in/ex8P9e3b