The California Independent System Operator aims to have 29 transmission projects built to maintain grid reliability at a cost of $647 million. At the same time, the quasi-public agency in this year’s transmission plan recommends no new projects to enable the state’s 33 percent renewables portfolio standard, because those projects “are already underway.” The plan, vetted Feb. 7, recommends only reliability driven projects--not ones that are economically or policy driven. “The finding that no major new transmission projects are needed at this time to support the California [Renewables Portfolio Standard] goals reflect years of effort” by state agencies and stakeholders, noted the grid operator. Transmission projects underway to bring renewable energy to urban load centers include the Sunrise Powerlink and Tehachapi lines in Southern California. Policy driven projects became a new category of concern with the state’s renewables portfolio standard in the last couple years. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is looking into California’s embrace of policy driven transmission to apply in regional transmission districts. The organization appears to be taking a bit of a turn in its enthusiasm for new transmission projects, according to the report. Despite the $647 million recommended, any more construction “would increase risk of stranded assets,” noted the grid operator. Still to be decided this year is the need, and the responsibility for cost of transmission projects to interconnect new renewables, as well as traditional generation facilities. Both investor-owned utilities’ ratepayers, and/or independent developers could be assigned building costs. The grid operator notes its final proposal should be determined by this spring. It would be subject to federal approval.
