AESO receives international recognition for wind integration

CALGARY, ALBERTA - U.S.-based Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG) announced John Kehler, a senior technical specialist with the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), as one of its 2008 Honorees for Achievement in Wind Integration.

Kehler is part of the team leading the AESO's efforts to address the challenges of integrating wind into the Alberta electricity market and to determine appropriate mitigation measures to ensure system reliability and fair, open and efficient market operation. He has also led and been involved in AESO efforts with stakeholders to develop a clear set of rules to guide participation of wind generators in the market and a wind forecasting pilot project to assist system operators in dealing with the variable nature of wind generation. All of this has resulted in Alberta becoming the Canadian leader in wind power development.

In the citation for the award, UWIG President Henry Durrwachter states that "John Kehler has made a significant contribution to the electric power and wind industries and is to be commended for advancing the integration of wind generation and his work in addressing the challenges of integrating wind into the Alberta electricity market."

"We are very proud of the work the AESO has done in collaboration with stakeholders on wind integration and John has shown great foresight, commitment and leadership," said AESO Vice- President Operations and Reliability Warren Frost. "This amounts to the AESO receiving international recognition for our industry leading efforts in wind integration."