Connecting small electricity producers to the grid
Saturday, June 28, 2008
ELPC is working with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission to develop interconnection standards for the state. These standards will help small generators–such as small wind projects–connect to the electric grid. The Public Utilities Commission will host its final workshop in July, where ELPC Staff Attorney Brad Klein will serve as co-facilitator with representatives from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Regulatory Assistance Project.
ELPC also continues to work with South Dakota allies to implement and promote the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). South Dakota has terrific wind and biomass resources and tremendous opportunity to develop exciting new projects on farms and ranches and in rural communities across the state.
Wind Power Development in South Dakota
Wind energy is the fastest growing source of electricity generation in the United States. According to a recent ELPC report, South Dakota’s available wind resources are among the best in the country. South Dakota officials have expressed strong interest in promoting wind energy, but, thus far, little of this potential has been realized. As of January 2008, there are about 4,000 megawatts of wind power under development in South Dakota, but only 188 megawatts of wind energy have been installed. ELPC’s report explains that South Dakota can become a renewable energy powerhouse and identifies important policy drivers that can help to more fully tap these clean energy resources. Download the report here [large pdf file].
Tags: South Dakota
September 9th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Coal could help wind
PUC commissioner: Possible power plant near Selby would enhance transmission lines across area
By Scott Waltman, swaltman@aberdeennews.com
Published on Tuesday, September 09, 2008
A coal-burning power plant that could be built near Selby would likely help wind energy production.
State Public Utilities Commissioner Gary Hanson said that if Basin Electric builds the much-talked-about plant, the PUC would likely require the accompanying power lines to have extra transmission room. That way, the lines could carry future electricity created by wind turbines to larger markets