AESO played key role in renewable energy study
CALGARY, ALBERTA - The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is proud to have chaired and contributed to a major study released today by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) on integrating renewable energy into electricity grids across North America.
As interest in renewable energy continues to grow in Alberta and around the world, electric system operators in Canada and the United States are addressing the challenge of how to integrate significant amounts of wind, solar, and other forms of variable generation into electricity grids while ensuring system reliability.
In Alberta, there is currently 497 megawatts (MW) of wind energy connected to the grid with plans to add significantly more in the years ahead. ("Variable" generation refers to generation that uses an uncontrollable fuel source like wind, solar, tidal, etc.).
"The report identifies key recommendations that will serve as a roadmap for integrating large amounts of renewable energy into North America's future electric generation portfolio," said Warren Frost, Alberta Electric System Operator Vice President Operations and Reliability and chair of the taskforce that created the report.
The NERC special report "Accommodating High Levels of Variable Generation" was drafted by a committee of about 50 industry experts including representatives from grid operators, utilities, wind and solar manufacturers, trade associations and government authorities across North America.
The report calls for transmission additions and reinforcements, enhanced forecasting techniques for variable generation, and access to flexible grid resources including customer participation in targeted demand management, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and large-scale electricity storage to help reliably integrate variable resources to electricity systems.
"We're proud of working collaboratively with wind developers and other stakeholders to integrate wind into the Alberta grid," added Frost. "Being involved in this NERC effort is part of the AESO's commitment to seeking and applying best industry practices at home, and in turn, sharing our learnings with the North American electricity industry."
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Transformer fire downs power in four University of Kentucky buildings, facilities closed
LEXINGTON, KY - Four University of Kentucky buildings will be closed due to a Thursday morning transformer fire.
A transformer in Bowman Hall caught fire resulting in power outages in Bowman and other buildings on Rose Street, a University of Kentucky press release said.
According to the press release, the fire was contained to the basement of Bowman Hall. Though the fire was contained, power outages are still an issue on campus.
Along with Bowman, Breckinridge, Kincaid and Bradley halls are also without power and will remain closed until Monday.
"There were no injuries in the fire, nor has there been any significant structural…
