March 26, 2007—A number of efforts throughout the country aim to build transmission lines to connect remote renewable facilities to regional power grids, according to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
For example, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) recently approved the Tehachapi Transmission project, a $1.8 billion project that will increase grid access for large amounts of planned geothermal, solar, and wind generation in southern California.
The California ISO has also asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve an innovative financing vehicle for new transmission lines, allowing utilities to invest in a transmission line and then having renewable generators pay for the line as they use it.
In addition, Sharyland Utilities is proposing to build an 800-mile transmission loop in the Texas panhandle that will provide access to 4,200 megawatts of wind power resources.
