Source: Denver Business Journal As wind energy grows as a power source in Colorado, Xcel Energy Inc. is asking federal regulators for permission to change the way it charges other utilities that use Xcel’s transmission lines to move their wind-based power to…
distribution grid 
Xcel asks federal regulators to ensure wind power pays its own way
Tagged with: distribution grid, grid, grid connections, grid reliability, grid support, transmission lines upgrades
Solar Paired With Energy Storage Scores a Regulatory Win in California
Source: Greentech Media Adding an energy storage system to a NEM-eligible solar system or generator in California just became a little easier and more transparent under a new Public Utility Commission ruling. Last month, Jeff St. John reported on the…
Hawaii Passes the Point of No Return on Distributed Generation
Source: Greentech Media When Hawaiian Electric Company submitted its integrated resource plan on April 29, it was the last straw for regulators. Shortly after HECO’s inadequate plan was released, the Public Utilities Commission issued four regulatory orders and a white…
Restructuring New York State’s utilities
Source: Lexology New York State’s electric industry may undergo a drastic transformation. Recently, the New York State Public Service Commission (“Commission”) issued its Reforming the Energy Vision, NYS Department of Public Service Staff Report and Proposal (“Vision Proposal”) to remodel New York’s…
Transmission: More than Meets the Eye
True or false: Transmission and transmission planning are only relevant to large, conventional electricity generators, and distributed renewables are only concerned with the distribution system, and never the twain shall meet. For many decades, this statement was profoundly true. But nowadays, with evolving technologies, improved planning processes and an expanded emphasis on integrated systems, the two previously disparate elements of our energy system are beginning to intersect.
Tagged with: capital cost assumptions, DG, distributed generation, distributed renewables, distributed solar, Distributed Wind, distribution grid, EIM, energy imbalance markets, FERC, grid, grid connections, grid modernization plan, IREC, transmission, transmission lines upgrades, WECC, Western Electricity Coordinating Council
Xcel Energy sets wind power record in MN
Source: PostBulletin.com Xcel Energy issued a press release Wednesday declaring that it had achieved a milestone when 46 percent of customers’ electricity needs in the Upper Midwest were met by wind energy at 3 a.m. Sunday. That’s an all-time high…
MA Moves Toward Improving its Interconnection Procedures
Massachusetts joins a handful of other leading states in greatly improving their interconnection procedures, making it easier for small renewable energy systems to connect to the distribution grid, without compromising safety or quality.
