FERC approves final rule to incorporate variable energy resources

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued on 21 June a final rule, the transmission provider offering customers the option of planning data transmission interval of 15 minutes instead of an hour intervals service requires. The rule must also generators with variable energy sources such as wind and solar energy, provide certain data to support the prediction of power output owner. According to FERC, more efficient operation of the transmission system in the midst of increasing integration of variable renewable energy sources on the grid supports the judgment. The ruling benefits also electric consumers by ensuring that services at reasonable prices are offered.

The final rule determines that sales planning makes while transfer more efficiently manage provider reserves help, are forecasts only as good as the data they rely on. This interconnection of customers whose variable energy resources meteorological and operational data to transmission providers to provide the forecast of electricity, view FERC transmission provider better resource variability can manage. The final rule effective 12 months after publication in the Federal Register. See press review of FERC.

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Integrating Variable Wind Energy into the Grid

Wind doesn't always blow consistently and sometimes doesn’t blow at all, but wind energy is not unreliable —just ask grid operators. In a new report, Strategies and Decision Support Systems for Integrating Variable Energy Resources in Control Centers for Reliable Grid Operations, they offer their first-hand perspectives on how variable energy sources, including wind energy, actually impact grid operations.

Grid operators are the individuals who ensure that you receive electricity reliably and at an economical price. They balance electricity supply and demand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can think of them as the air traffic controllers for the power system, constantly monitoring and directing activities on the grid to keep the lights on in your home.

The study, a first-of-its-kind review, finds that the ability to forecast variable energy output is vital to successfully integrating variable energy into the electrical grid. The study also finds that decision support tools are also essential to helping grid operators incorporate wind forecasts and obtain optimal power flow in their grids. The study describes several decision support tools that are currently used by grid operators. However, existing decision support tools in the United States need to evolve further as more domestic variable energy enters the electrical grid. See Energy Blog post.

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