Midwest ISO Leads Discussion on Wind Integration Challenges in the Midwest FERC Commissioner Spitzer Expresses Optimism for Continued Commitment to Topic

ST. PAUL, Minn. and CARMEL, Ind., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ — The Midwest ISO wrapped up its Advisory Committee and Board meetings in St. Paul, MN, today after FERC Commissioner Marc Spitzer addressed Midwest ISO stakeholders, expressing optimism and thanking them for their commitment to wind integration.  The meetings gave Midwest ISO stakeholders the opportunity to engage the independent, nonprofit organization’s Board of Directors on specific issues, including and especially the broad topic of wind integration.

“We made wind integration the prime topic at our meetings this week because wind is an invaluable part of the future in the Midwest,” said John Bear, President and CEO of the Midwest ISO. “In order to realize the full potential of wind, we must all work together to identify how best to manage this source of energy and discuss the challenges.”

Regulators from 13 states in the Midwest region attended the two-day meetings, along with hundreds of stakeholders from the Midwest ISO. The participants engaged board members in conversation regarding specific goals and challenges that members are facing. There was general consensus at the end of the meetings to continue the collaborative process led by the Midwest ISO to resolve wind integration.

“Midwest ISO provides the platform for its stakeholders to come together to address these issues,” said Mr. Bear. “These meetings give our stakeholders an unparalleled opportunity to access information and share ideas toward a common good.”

The Midwest ISO has 5,100 megawatts of wind generation today. After the integration of MidAmerican Energy on September 1, 2009, this will grow to about 6,600 megawatts.

These significant numbers are a fraction of what is facing the region. There are currently 313 proposed new wind projects representing more than 54,000 megawatts of generation capacity, more than in any other part of the country. These requests have skyrocketed primarily due to an influx of proposed wind farms which are far from the current grid. Estimates to connect these new resources to the grid reach into the billions of dollars and involve many jurisdictions, including both public and private entities.

“It is clear that traditional means of funding new transmission is outdated and we need to consider responsible, regional cost-allocation measures,” said Mr. Bear. “A common theme we heard at the meetings was that stakeholders need the Midwest ISO to continue to look at the big picture to make smart planning decisions from a regional perspective,” Mr. Bear said.

The Midwest ISO and its stakeholders have already made significant progress integrating wind. For instance, the organization initiated the first overhaul of a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) interconnection queue in the country and developed a process that shortens project reviews. In terms of grid planning, the Midwest ISO led the Joint Coordinated System Plan, an examination of a national 20 percent wind mandate and its transmission needs, and it initiated the Regional Generation Outlet Study, which is determining how much and where renewable generation needs to be built to meet Midwestern renewable portfolio standards.

On reliability, a major challenge with wind energy, Midwest ISO is improving its forecasting abilities and addressing potential scheduling issues; it is also working with stakeholders on energy storage technologies that could play a large role in the grid of the future.

“We are going to move boldly to address the new challenges wind creates,” said Mr. Bear. “We cannot get stuck in old, outdated ways of thinking. That only serves to cause more roadblocks and will delay the inevitable outcomes we will achieve by working together.”

About theMidwestISO

The Midwest ISO ensures reliable operation of, and equal access to, 93,600 miles of interconnected, high-voltage power lines in 13 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Manitoba. The Midwest ISO manages one of the world’s largest energy markets, clearing approximately $42 billion in energy transactions annually. The Midwest ISO was approved as the nation’s first regional transmission organization (RTO) in 2001. The non-profit 501(C)(4) organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors, and is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana with operations centers in Carmel and St. Paul, Minnesota. Membership in the organization is voluntary. For more information, visit www.midwestmarket.org.

SOURCE Midwest ISO