Wind Partners Coordination

Meeting Summary

September 26, 2002

Welcome and Introductions

The meeting opened with introductions of partners. Each partner explained his background and how his organization was involved with wind. The group reviewed the purpose of the meeting:

• Exchange information on current events in various sectors
• Discuss Industry Trends, issues, and opportunity with wind energy partners
• Review Schedule for 2002-2003

Partner Organization Updates:

• Abby Arnold, RESOLVE, Inc., presented the National Wind Coordinating Committee update. Ms. Arnold reviewed the past year's activities, publications and events. The NWCC has initiated an evaluation and strategic planning process which will determine short-term and long-term objectives of the NWCC. In general, the NWCC will be focusing on more specific issues rather than regions. Also, as more information has been gathered on the specific issues, the NWCC has moved from general forums and products, to more detailed and technical workshops and publications.
   
• Tom Gray, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), laid out the previous year’s activities and AWEA's goals for the upcoming year. AWEA will be focusing on:
  • Promoting the Production Tax Credit and Renewable Portfolio Standard
  • Encouraging small turbine investment credits
  • Securing transmission access and capacity for wind
  • Facilitating state-level coordination for regional issues (Credit Trading and Transmission)
     
• Charlie Smith, Utility Wind Interest Group, outlined UWIG's achievements of the past year and revealed UWIG's upcoming projects: Technical Operating Impact Studies, Distributed Wind Impact Studies, and will hold their annual meeting as well as a technical workshop.
   
• Ed Holt, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), is working with energy regulators to focus some of their research and outreach on wind energy. NARUC's work plans include:
  • Working on combining energy and environmental policies
  • Working on transmission issues, particularly to increaseg capacity for wind
  • Looking at wind and hydrogen synergies in conjunction with the Western Research Institute
  • Developing wind information in accessible formats for state officials
     
• Phil Dougherty, DOE/Wind Powering America (WPA), spoke about the joint program between the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Renewable Energy Labs (NREL). WPA concentrates its work on five general areas (state, tribal, rural, utility, and federal sectors) to increase public awareness about wind power issues. In addition, WPA trains locals to create experts at the state level to serve as resources for the public. WPA is also trying to create state workgroups with all the stakeholders to discuss wind issues. WPA has developed a matrix highlighting priorities and strategies.
   
• Brian Parsons, NREL, is leading the office’s wind staff on issues relating to transmission analysis, including:
  • Western SSG-WI study, difference between used and scheduled capacity
  • Wind as an alternative to current services
  • RTO Rules

  NREL is also looking at the costs and placement of ancillary services for wind and increasing forecasting accuracy.
   

• Steve Clemmer, Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), presented the environmental issues the UCS is dealing with in the wind power field. UCS is continuing its advocacy of RPS standards and PTC at the state and federal levels. UCS is focusing its work on promoting fair market rules for renewables and economic development benefits for rural areas. Similarly to the other groups, UCS is concerned about transmission accessibility.
   
• Troy Gagliano covered the National Council of State Legislature’s (NCSL) past and upcoming wind related activities. NCSL will continue to promote pro-wind legislation in all states including legislation authorizing renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and production tax credits (PTC). NCSL has an ongoing Wind Road Show, which travels the country with facts and information on wind power. NCSL is also working on state and federal incentives for energy cooperatives.

Identification of Issues:

WPA: Partners felt that in the future the NWCC needs to better coordinate with Wind Powering America's initiatives. They also supported sending NWCC's experts to regional meetings sponsored by WPA or other entities to create local experts and joint or back-to-back meetings with locals to encourage information sharing. The partners acknowledged the NWCC's ability to create credible information and encouraged further NWCC efforts. The participants also asked whether the NWCC could identify "what we do/not know about all wind issues" so that future research could be better guided.

Avian/Siting. There were still some concerns about avian issues that the partners would like the NWCC Avian Subcommittee to consider. Some questions still surfacing include uncertainty about the effects of wind turbines on bat populations and impacts on golden eagle populations at Altamont Pass.

Siting issues included a review of impacts of roads displacing habitat for land animals, such as squirrels and tortoises; ways to address developers who don't communicate with public or understand environmental issues; and creation of wind forecasting data to determine best sites for wind development. A methodology or fact sheet on NIMBY issues, visual and noise was suggested. Finally, the group suggested that the NWCC articulate the next steps to tackle offshore wind power development.

Transmission: Issues raised included addressing firm transmission service and differentials between forecasting output and real output (power fluctuations/intermittency); ensuring RTO fair market rules and FERC Standard Market Design NOPR rules will treat wind fairly; and considering means to integrate an intermittent resource like wind into the operating utility systems. A thoughtful, detailed successful strategy on this issue is needed -- a business case for wind that considers utility interests and concerns about risk assessment and financial economics, among other issues.

Economic development: Participants suggested the NWCC first focus on application of the Congress’ Agriculture Bill sections on wind power. Some discussion took place as to the role of Wind Powering America in this area. They also encouraged the NWCC to research the impacts of wind facility development on tax income and property prices for a given local area. Third, a fact-sheet or methodology needs to be developed for the public outlining positive economic impacts that can derive for local wind development. Participants also considered addressing the involvement of cooperatives and locals in initial investment of turbines as a means for economic development.

Credit trading: Most participants believe that action on a federal Renewable Portfolio Standard is imperative, representing a potentially huge financial stream to wind development. AWEA seems to be the lead on this issue. Further collaboration will need to be defined by the partners. The group also acknowledged the importance of defining value of credit trading and trade attributes in support of establishing Renewable Energy Credit (REC) trading and tracking systems. NWCC has taken a lead role in this area, and the upcoming NWCC workshop on RECs will potentially identify some further collaboration opportunities. The group also flagged the issue of wind-hydropower synergies as one area to consider further collaborative study.

The meeting adjourned at 2:15 pm EDT.