California Moves To Speed Solar, Wind Power Grid Connections

[jpak]

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200807162042DOWJONESDJONLINE000838_FORTUNE5.htm

SAN FRANCISCO -(Dow Jones)- The operator of California's electric grid has a plan for improving the way new renewable power facilities can connect to it, but solar and wind power developers say the plan falls short.

The California Independent System Operator plans to file with federal regulators later this month a new set of rules for reviewing new power project interconnections. The new rules will streamline the process and cut down the amount of time it takes to make a decision, said Gregg Fishman, a spokesman for the ISO.

The organization will review projects in clusters, rather than individually to speed the process, and will require a much larger application fee to discourage less viable projects.

Industry groups representing wind and solar power developers said they were pleased the ISO is taking action to speed up interconnections, but that they found the new rules inadequate.

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[Vincardog]

1. That is the rub. Wind Solar Wave and most renewable sources necessarily decentralize production an

The big guys can not stand that

[bluesmail]

3. Where I live wave power already is being monopolized

by PG&E. :thumbsdown:

[phantom power]

4. I've been a little bemused...

by the meme of "Renewables are going to be decentralized, and boy are we going to stick it to Big Energy!"

The vast majority of renewable energy is going to be installed in big, centralized installations, and owned by big corporations. Because economies of scale apply to renewable energy just like any other business.

BTW, I don't personally see that as a bad thing. Economies of scale are good. I think it does mean that Big Renewables will be an industry that requires regulation and a certain degree of public skepticism, like any large powerful industry. People should mentally prepare themselves for that.

[glitch]

6. Sure, now. Historically they viewed micropower as competition and treated it accordingly

IOW, smash its prospects. I think (ok, hope) now they probably realize they're going to need all the help they can get satisfying energy needs, thus micropower not quite the threat they once perceived it as.

Could be wrong though, it would be a mistake to underestimate the lizard brain of the professional competitor.

[JohnWxy]

2. whatever Jay Leno says about the "Governator" he makes the management in D.C. look rediculous.

well, of course, the Shrub IS REDICULOUS!

[XemaSab]

5. I think these big installations should be subject to the same rules as everyone else

And the same goes for transmission lines, too.

The "larger application fee" part seems sketchy, too.

I think someone's trying to pull a fast one.

[ElectricGrid]

7. Good idea.. make it harder for the little guy

since your inept office can not process applications fast enough.