NEWS FROM WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 17, 2008
CONTACT: Randy Wilkerson, 720-962-7056, wilkerson@wapa.gov
WIND/HYDRO INTEGRATION DRAFT STUDY RELEASED
LAKEWOOD, Colo.—A new draft study demonstrating the complexity of integrating wind-energy
and hydropower to meet the obligations of a Federal power marketing administration has been released
for comment.
Western Area Power Administration released the draft of the Wind and Hydropower Feasibility Study on Dec. 15. The study was mandated by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to determine the cost and feasibility of developing a demonstration project that uses wind energy generated on Indian tribal lands to supply firming power to Western, supplementing Federal hydropower generated on the Missouri river to meet Western’s contractual obligations.
The draft study seeks comments regarding proposed recommendations that further analysis to refine the amount of wind energy that may be economically integrated to meet Western’s contractual obligations is needed; and that a demonstration project, if authorized and funded, be of no more than 50 megawatts in nameplate capacity and that Western’s ratepayers should not bear any additional costs from the demonstration project.
The study requires many assumptions, including hydrologic conditions, development scenarios, electric market predictions and future carbon legislation. The assumptions all impact the findings of the study, so the results are valid only under the conditions analyzed.
“This study will help us as the nation continues to diversify its energy supply. It is another step in building a framework for the economic impacts associated with integrating wind energy in meeting our obligations to our customers while maintaining low, cost-based rates,” said Bob Harris, Western’s Upper Great Plains Regional Manager.
Mike Radecki, Western’s project manager for the study said, “We know much more now than when we started the study. While the findings of the study are not absolute, it goes a long way to help us understand the complexity and dynamics of integrating wind energy to meet our contractual obligations. We now have a good foundation for future analyses.”
The draft study is available on Western's Web site at http://www.wapa.gov/ugp/PowerMarketing/WindHydro/Default.htm . Western is accepting comments on the draft study until February 13, 2009. Send written comments to Mr. Robert J. Harris, Regional Manager; Upper Great Plains Region; Western Area Power Administration; 2900 4 th Avenue North; Billings, MT 59101; or e-mail to UGPWindHydroFS@wapa.gov .
Western will host a public meeting on the study and report in Rapid City, S.D., on Jan. 13, 2009, at 1 p.m. MST, at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel, 2111 N. LaCrosse Street.
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Western Area Power Administration annually markets and transmits more than 10,000 megawatts of power from hydroelectric powerplants owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 15 western and central states. It is part of the Department of Energy. Learn more about Western at www.wapa.gov .
Serving the West with Federal hydropower
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