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Wind and Other Renewables Activities
Quarterly News Brief
February 2010
As 2010 unfolds, the Western Area Power Administration, DOE's Wind Powering America initiative, APPA and NRECA are all continuing their involvement in several technology transfer activities and bringing more resources on wind and other renewables to the utility community.
If you have suggestions for activities or have specific areas of interest in wind or other renewables, we would like to hear from you – please email us (see contacts at the bottom).
Upcoming Activities for 2010
- Series of Wind Webinars Announced for 2009–2010
The APPA-NRECA team continues to bring Webinars as part of its 2009-2010 series. The upcoming Webinars will be held on the third Wednesday of the month during May and September 2010. Topics are Interconnection Issues and Partnering to Achieve Economies of Scale, respectively. The first Webinar in the series (held October 21, 2009) covered wind turbine maintenance, while the second (held recently on February 17) covered several economic development case studies. For more information on this series and to register, please visit www.windwebinar.govtools.us. Webinar archives for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 series are available at www.repartners.org/webpres.htm. These webinars are free to APPA and NRECA members.
- Kansas State to Host Wind Workshop for Municipals
A wind workshop is planned in the state of Kansas for May 12, 2010. The workshop will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita, Kansas as part of Kansas Municipal Utilities’ Annual Conference. The focus of the workshop will be community-based wind development. An agenda is being developed and will be available in early 2010.
- Upcoming Case Studies
Two new wind power case studies are being developed to share experiences of public power utilities as they address challenges encountered in moving from wind power project development stages to project operation. The case studies focus on Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska. Both case studies will likely be published in spring 2010.
- A Series of Webinars on Impacts and Implications of High Levels of Wind and Solar Integration
The Western Interstate Energy Board presents a series of Webinars on the operational impacts and policy implications from high wind and solar energy penetration into the grid. These Webinars are based on key findings from the Western Wind and Solar Integration Study, which examines integration of high levels of variable generation in the Western Interconnection and focuses on the WestConnect group of transmission providers. The Webinars will answer important questions for state and provincial regulatory commissions, energy agencies, policy makers, utility staff and executives, and other related entities (www.westconnect.com).
The hour-long free Webinars are being delivered by National Renewable Energy Laboratory with input from key subcontractors (GE and 3TIER). The Webinar dates are February 18, March 4, and March 23, all at 1 pm PST/2 pm MST (the first one was on February 4).
Webcast and Phone Information:
For Web connection, go to http://www.genesys.com. Look to the lower right hand side for GENESYS Login and click on the Participant tab. Key in Meeting Number as 1500493.
You can also phone in at: (866) 779-0775 and Meeting Number: *1500493*
(Be sure to enter the * star key before and after the Meeting Number).
- APPA to Develop First Wind Annual Report
NRECA is inviting nominations for the Wind Cooperative of the Year Award through December 31, 2009. The award will honor one electric cooperative forAPPA plans to publish its first annual report reviewing its members' wind-related activities. The report will include APPA members' green power programs related to wind and any new or planned wind power projects within the year. The report will also review transmission issues, current market for wind electricity, and the latest wind technology developments.
UWIG Meeting Scholarship Program for Co-ops, Public Power Utilities Extended
The Western Area Power Administration, through its Public Renewables Partnership effort, is offering thirty $500 scholarships in 2010 to employees of electric cooperatives and public power utilities to attend UWIG meetings. The scholarship is funded through DOE’s Wind and Hydropower Technologies Programs. The scholarships can be applied to any UWIG workshop or user group meeting and can be used toward travel expenses or registration fees. The applicant’s employer must be a member of NRECA or APPA and there is no limit on the number of scholarships per utility. To apply for the scholarship, please contact Randy Manion (WAPA) at 720-962-7423 or manion@wapa.gov.
Wind and Renewable Energy Education: 2009-2010 Webinar Series
Visit www.windwebinar.govtools.us for webinar details. Registeration is free but space will be limited at some events, so reserve your place early!
Last Few Weeks for 2010 Public Power Wind Award Nominations
Deadline: March 8, 2010
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 Public Power Wind Award, formerly called the Wind Power Pioneer Awards. It is open to all APPA member utilities; the utilities may nominate themselves.
This year's winner will be recognized at the APPA National Conference June 20-23, 2010 in Orlando, FL. Submit your completed nomination form by close of business on March 8. For more information, contact Randy Manion (WAPA) at 720-962-7423 or manion@wapa.gov.
To know more about renewables ...
- Industry news at a glance
- State activities and resources
- Database of state incentives for renewables and efficiency
- Key industry contacts
- Transmission issues
- Project development case studies
- Grants, funding and RFPs
- Calendar of utility interest events
- Latest updates and links to useful resources
Utility News in Spotlight
- Michigan Muni Enters 20-year PPA for Heritage Wind Power
- AES’s Pennsylvania Project Online
- Iberdrola Finishes Work on North Dakota Facility
- Lower Colorado River Authority Enters 200-MW PPA
- Senators Propose Bill to Include Public Power in Grants Program
- Tennessee Valley Contracts With Horizon For Renewable Wind Power
Read details
Mark Your Calendars
Utility Focus Events
| Date |
Event Details |
February 23, 2010
1:00-2:00p.m. EST |
Webinar on EPA Green Power Communities
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Green Power Partnership and Local Climate and Energy Program will host a Webinar on the Green Power Community initiative (http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/communities/index.htm). Green Power Communities are cities, towns, and villages in which the local government, businesses, and residents collectively buy green power in amounts that meet or exceed EPA's purchasing requirements.
Register at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/375989235.
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February 23-25, 2010 |
Renewable Energy World Conference and Expo North America
Austin, TX
This year’s official host utility is Austin Energy. The event features sessions related to technology, markets, business strategies, and policy that pertain to renewables (wind, solar, geothermal, etc.). More details at http://www.renewableenergyworld-events.com/index.html.
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April 19-22, 2010 |
IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Expo
New Orleans, LA
This event will inform and update power-delivery community on managing and developing technology and business solutions. More details at http://www.ieeet-d.org.
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May 11-13, 2010 |
2010 NRECA Connect Conference
Kansas City, MO
The Connect Conference & Expo is the annual national conference for electric cooperative marketing, communication, and member service professionals. Come and explore new technologies, share ideas, and network with cooperative utility professionals. For more information, visit https://touchstoneenergy.cooperative.com/public/
programs/ConnectConference2009/About/About.htm.
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May 12, 2010 |
Kansas Wind Workshop
Wichita, KS
This one-day workshop will cover a variety community-based wind power topics from interconnection to financing. Municipal utility wind power experts from Kansas and the surrounding states will speak about their experiences in developing wind power projects. This workshop will be held in conjunction with Kansas Municipal Utilities’ Annual Conference.
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May 19, 2010
12:00-2:00p.m. EST |
Wind Webinar: Interconnection Issues
Details at http://www.windwebinar.govtools.us.
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September 15, 2010
12:00-2:00p.m. EST |
Wind Webinar: Partnering to Achieve Economies of Scale
Details at http://www.windwebinar.govtools.us.
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For more wind and other renewable events, be sure to check out upcoming AWEA and UWIG's events.
For information/feedback, contact Michele Suddleson (APPA) or Mike Pehosh (NRECA).
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