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November 25, 2024

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Federal Briefs

Coal Burning Plant danicek / 123RF Stock Photo
danicek / 123RF Stock Photo

The EPA’s proposed greenhouse gas limits on new power plants will not be as strict as initially proposed, but will still effectively prohibit the construction of new coal-fired plants, according to news reports.

Plants burning natural gas reportedly will be permitted to emit about 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour, easily within reach of modern plants. Coal-fired plants would be limited to 1,400 pounds per MWh, requiring carbon capture, a technology not yet commercially viable. The American Public Power Association is asking the White House for a looser limit on coal plants, calling a standard requiring carbon capture “unrealistic.” The rules are expected to be released this week. More: The New York Times; The Washington Post; The Hill

Ron Binz - Consultant & FERC Nominee (Source - Public Policy Consulting)
Ron Binz – Consultant & FERC Nominee (Source – Public Policy Consulting)

Unusual Public Battle over FERC Nominee

Threatened by federal policies, the coal industry has opened a counterattack by opposing President Obama’s nomination of a renewable electricity advocate to head the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Senate Energy Committee is expected to hold a hearing today on the nomination of Ronald J. Binz. The fight over Binz has been unusually public, considering that the job at stake is at an agency most people cannot name. Environmental groups have rushed to Binz’s defense. More: The New York Times

GOP Amendment on Efficiency Bill Would Block EPA Carbon Regulations

A bipartisan energy efficiency bill on the Senate floor is fast becoming a magnet for politically controversial amendments on climate change and ObamaCare. The bill contains measures to boost building codes, train workers in energy efficient building technologies, help manufacturers become more efficient and bolster conservation efforts at federal agencies. More: The Hill; E2 Wire

White House May Loosen Rules on Eagle-Turbine Collisions

The White House is considering whether to loosen rules limiting the number of eagle deaths permitted from wind turbines. A new study reported that turbines killed at least 67 golden and bald eagles in the last five years. More: Associated Press

Rep. Fred Upton
Rep. Fred Upton

Upton Foe Campaigning on Climate Change

A political science professor is focusing on climate change in a longshot bid to unseat Rep. Fred Upton (R), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. More: E&E Daily

 

 

EIA Low-Balling Renewable Growth: Green Groups

Green energy and environmental groups say the Energy Information Administration’s closely watched “Annual Energy Outlook” is using “unreasonably low” renewable power growth forecasts that could inhibit investment in the industry. The groups notes that the EIA’s 2013 annual outlook projects renewables’ share of U.S. electricity will grow from 13% percent in 2011 to 16% in 2040. But a separate EIA report in August showed that renewables had reached 14.2% of net generation during the first six months of 2013. “It seems highly implausible that it will now take another 27 years to grow from 14.2% to 16%,” the groups said in a letter to the agency last week. More: The Hill

gridlock-book-coverEx-Senator Imagines Attack on Grid in New Novel

Former U.S. Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) says his new novel, which envisions a cyberattack that takes out the North American power grid, is based on real concerns about the vulnerability of the system. “‘Glass jaw’ is a pretty good description of the grid system,” Dorgan said. More than 200 utilities and government agencies are expected to participate in the largest emergency drill to test the electricity sector’s preparation for a cyberattack. The drill, scheduled for November, will simulate an attack that takes down large sections of the power grid for weeks. More: The New York Times

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Installed Reserve Margin May Increase for 2014

PJM’s recommended Installed Reserve Margin (IRM) will increase slightly because of the increasing alignment of the RTO’s peak demand with demand outside of the region, according to a preliminary analysis presented to the Planning Committee Thursday.

The analysis recommends an IRM of 16.2% for delivery year 2014/15 (up from 15.9% in the 2012 analysis) and margins of 15.7% for delivery years 2015 through 2017.

Recommended Installed Reserve Margin (Source: PJM Interconnection, LLC)
(Source: PJM Interconnection, LLC)

The IRM is increasing despite a small reduction in the average Effective Equivalent Demand Forced Outage Rate (EEFORd).

PJM’s Tom Falin told members the reason for the increased IRM was an increase in the “World Peak” — the world’s share of its annual peak coincident with the PJM annual peak — to 96.4% from 95.4% last year. “We’re seeing a little less help coming in from the other regions,” Falin explained.

The study results will re-set IRM for the 2014/15 through 2016/17 delivery years and establish the initial IRM for 2017/18.

The IRM must be finalized by February 1 prior to its use in next year’s capacity auction.

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PJM Likely to Limit Capacity Imports

PJM will seek to set a limit on capacity imports before next year’s Base Reliability Auction under a problem statement approved Thursday by the Planning Committee. The problem statement, proposed by PJM, was approved without objections or abstentions.

PJM officials said they are concerned that some of the external resources that cleared in May’s base capacity auction might not be deliverable.

Growing Imports

Capacity-sources-2016-17In the last five base capacity auctions, cleared imports have grown from about 3,000 MW to more than 7,400 MW. PJM officials were especially concerned because most of the cleared imports in this year’s auction came from MISO and other points west, with very little from the north or south. (See Capacity Auction: New Generation, Imports Up, Prices, DR down)

To clear in the auction, external generators currently need nothing more than a request for firm transmission service in the transmission queue, a very low hurdle, say PJM officials.

PJM hopes to win member approval on limits in time to use them in the May 2014 auction. That will require winning FERC approval for changes to PJM’s Reliability Assurance Agreement (RAA) — which governs procedures for maintaining system reliability — before PJM posts its planning parameters on Feb. 1. The RAA changes would have to be filed with FERC by the end of November.

Aggressive Schedule

“It is a very aggressive schedule,” PJM’s Mark Sims acknowledged. Because of the tight timeline, Sims said members should provide feedback on PJM’s Key Analytical Assumptions before the next Planning Committee meeting Oct. 10. Comments can be submitted to RTEP@PJM.com

The assumptions include consideration of monitored facilities, simulated contingencies, existing commitments (long term firm transmission agreements), distribution factors (DFAX) and outage transfer distribution factors (OTDF).

Conflicting Interests

Restricting imports could benefit PJM generators who have been dismayed by falling capacity prices. But it could be challenged by MISO officials, who have complained to FERC that PJM’s modeling of cross border transmission deliverability is unfairly limiting its generation from competing in PJM’s capacity market. (See FERC Likely to Increase Pressure on PJM-MISO Joint Market Talks)

The Planning Committee will consider both an overall capacity import limit and path-specific limits. In addition to potentially reducing export participation in the capacity auction, the limits would be inputs in planning analyses.

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Merchant Transco Plans 1,000 MW Line into PJM

A Toronto entrepreneur announced plans last week to build a 1,000 MW merchant transmission line to deliver power from Ontario to PJM.

Lake Erie HVDC Line Map (Source: Lake Erie Power Corp.)
(Source: Lake Erie Power Corp.)

The “Lake Erie CleanPower Connector” would run under Lake Erie for about 60 miles from Nanticoke, Ontario to Erie County, Pennsylvania.

The HVDC project is expected to cost $1 billion and create 300 jobs over three years of construction. A PJM feasibility study indicated the project would also require about $410 million in upgrades to FirstEnergy’s 345 kV system.

Price Disparity

John Douglas, CEO of developer Lake Erie Power Corp., said the project is designed to capitalize on Ontario’s surplus power and avoid often-congested transmission lines into Michigan and New York.

In August, locational marginal prices at Nanticoke averaged less than $28/MWh (in U.S. dollars), about $6 below the average LMP for PJM’s Penelec zone.

Ontario vs. PJM LMP Prices - August 2013 (Source: PJM Interconnection, LLC and IESO)
(Source: PJM Interconnection, LLC and IESO)

The biggest price disparity was in hours ending 14-17, with a differential of more than $10/MWh. (See chart)

Douglas says the project also will help U.S. utilities meet their renewable energy portfolio goals. In 2012, the Independent Electricity System Operator of Ontario (IESO) generated 25% of its power from hydro and wind. Most of the balance was split among nuclear (56%), natural gas (14.6%) and coal (2.8%).

With connections to Manitoba, Quebec, New York, Michigan and Minnesota, Ontario currently can export up to 4,800 MW. In 2012, the province had net exports of almost 10 TWh.

Months of meetings

Lake Erie Power has been meeting for months with federal and state regulators and local politicians and fishermen to smooth the way for the project.

The company filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in July (docket #ER13-1979) requesting permission to charge negotiated rates for transmission service on the route. Although the proposal announced last week envisions two cables with 1,000 MW of capacity, the FERC application describes the project as “up to” four lines with a 2,000 MW capacity.

The company hopes to begin construction in 2015 with financing from Toronto-based JCM Capital, a private investment firm focusing on renewable energy projects.

The line will use two HVDC electric cables, each approximately six inches in diameter, a technology similar to that used in the Cross Sound project connecting Shoreham, Long Island and New Haven, Connecticut.

The company’s preferred route would reach shore in Girard Township, Erie County. The line would continue underground about seven miles south of the lake along an abandoned railroad right of way to a $200 million AC converter station adjacent to Penelec’s Erie West substation.

Previous Projects

Douglas has developed wind, hydro and transmission projects over more than a decade following a career in corporate finance and investment banking.

He sold wind farm developer Ventus Energy Inc. to GDF Suez S.A. for $200 million in 2007. He sold another proposed HVDC project — a 1,000 MW line from Montreal to New York City under the Hudson River — to the Blackstone Group LLP in 2010. That project is seeking regulatory approval.

 

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Manual Changes OKd

The Operating Committee and Market Implementation Committee endorsed changes to Manuals 12 and 27 to implement new rules regarding black start generators, as approved by FERC in docket ER13-1911. The changes include section 7 of Manual 27: Open Access Transmission Tariff Accounting, and section 4.6 of Manual 12: Balancing Operations. See MIC, OC Review Black Start Manual Changes.

The Operating Committee also endorsed changes to Manuals 1, 3, 10 and 13:

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PJM Plans $30M Capital Spend for 2014

PJM plans $30 million in capital spending next year, a $2 million reduction from 2013, under a preliminary budget that will be presented to the Board of Managers for approval.

PJM’s Jim Snow told the Operating and Planning committees last week that the proposed budget allocates $18 million for current applications and systems reliability (e.g., eDART, eSuite). Included will be updates to legacy systems not updated in the AC2 project. Also included is a $1.5 million project requested (and partially funded by) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that will allow PJM to rerun Day Ahead market results with modified inputs.

2014 Capital Budget & Historical Budget Analysis (Source: PJM Interconnection, LLC)
(Source: PJM Interconnection, LLC)

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Company Briefs

Exelon-LogoSeeking growth as its stock languishes due to low wholesale power prices, Exelon Corp. is on the hunt for another acquisition. Analysts disagree on whether it will look to add another regulated utility or seek opportunities in the merchant sector.

The company’s chief strategy officer told the Barclay’s 2013 CEO Energy-Power Conference last week that prices in PJM’s May capacity auction “were lower than anyone expected and continue to be disappointing to us.” But he said the company continues to see “a disconnect between forward prices and what prices will be when coal plants retire.”

More: Crain’s Chicago Business; Platts

Opower Teams with BGE to Launch “Behavioral” DR

energy-reporting-slider-1Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) will use Opower’s new “Behavioral Demand Response” platform in its upcoming smart meter rollout.

Opower’s system takes individual and neighborhood energy-usage data and turn it into personalized reports delivered via text messages, email and phone. Opower said it believes the new system can dramatically increase residential demand response.

More: Greentech Media; Opower

ComEd Reduces Prices to Win Back Retail Customers

Commonwealth Edison, which has lost 800,000 retail customers to alternative suppliers, is hoping to win some of them back now that it has negotiated new supply deals.

The company lost business to rivals charging six cents per kWh, a three-cent savings from ComEd rates. The company says it has reduced the gap to half a cent per kWh due to the expiration of old electricity agreements.

More: CBS Local

Dominion LNG Export Plan OKd

Cove Point Terminal (Source: Dominion)
Cove Point Terminal (Source: Dominion)

Dominion Resources won federal approval to export liquefied natural gas to Japan and India from its Cove Point terminal in Maryland. Dominion needed Energy Department approval because neither country has a free-trade agreement with the U.S.

The company plans to spend up to $3.8 billion to upgrade the terminal.

More: The Washington Post

 

 

Susquehanna Nuclear Plant (Source: Creative Commons)
Susquehanna Nuclear Plant (Source: Creative Commons)

Susquehanna Nuke Out with Turbine Problem

PPL Corp. began shutting down Unit 2 of its Susquehanna nuclear power plant early Saturday after vibration monitoring equipment indicated that two turbine blades may have developed small cracks. Unit 1 will continue generating electricity during repairs.

More: The Morning Call

PPL Sets Reward for Copper Thefts

PPL-LogoPPL Corp. said it will pay $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone caught stealing copper wire and other materials from its substations. Police say they’ve seen an “epidemic” of copper thefts as the price of copper has risen to $3 a pound.

More: The Morning Call

 

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Simplified Demand Response Registration OKd

Members Wednesday approved streamlining the demand response registration process.

Reason for Change: Current rules require Curtailment Service Providers to submit customer names to both the Electric Distribution Company and Load Serving Entity. The EDC and LSE have 10 days to approve or deny the registration. If either rejects the application — for example because they were mistakenly associated with the customer — the process has to begin from the start.

The change was motivated in part by FERC Order 745, which reduced the LSE’s role in the registration process.

Impact: The Market Implementation Committee approved two proposals:

Emergency Registration: The LSE will be removed from the review and notification process; EDCs will continue to do reviews under “Relevant Electric Retail Regulatory Authority” rules.

Economic Registration:  The LSE will remain involved but PJM will make administrative changes to simplify the review process. The EDC and LSE review process will be separated to eliminate unnecessary reviews.

An alternative (2b) to remove the LSE from economic registrations, was dropped at the request of Exelon, which had originally proposed it.

The proposals were approved with no objections and five abstentions from Pepco Holdings Inc.

John Brodbeck, of PHI, said his company is concerned that the changes don’t address the fact that DR transactions settle up to 90 days later than Real Time transactions — a lag that impacts balancing operating reserve charges.

PJM contact: Pete Langbein

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Consumer Advocates Name Director

Dan Griffiths at the MIC
Dan Griffiths at the MIC

The Consumer Advocates of the PJM States (CAPS) has named longtime Pennsylvania government official Dan Griffiths as its first director.

Griffiths, who was chosen from among 20 candidates, will represent CAPS in PJM stakeholder meetings and coordinate communications and strategy. Incorporated last year, CAPS includes consumer advocates for the District of Columbia and 13 states served by PJM.

“I think Dan’s going to be just the right guy,” said Stefanie Brand, president of CAPS and director of the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel. “He has extensive experience at PJM and a good background on the issues facing the consumer advocate offices. We really want to increase our participation in the stakeholder process and I know Dan will hit the ground running.”

Pennsylvania Experience

Griffiths worked for 18 years at the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, serving as manager of planning and research in the Bureau of Consumer Services and as energy assistant to then-Commissioner David W. Rolka.

From 1997 to 2000, he worked as vice president for corporate development at New Energy Ventures (now Constellation New Energy), the director of operations at the Energy Cooperative Association of Pennsylvania, and as a consultant for Customized Energy Solutions.

He moved in 2000 to the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate as a senior analyst, where he represented consumers before PJM and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

In 2007, he left the consumer advocate’s office to become deputy secretary in the Office of Energy and Technology Deployment at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

After retiring from his state post in 2010, he worked as a consultant for Sustainable Futures Communications, LLC and represented demand response provider Comverge at PJM.

CAPS’ Priorities

Griffiths and Brand said CAPS’ priorities include the PJM capacity market and transmission planning.

“There are tens of millions of people whose electricity costs are largely determined in [PJM], so it’s very important for them to have someone representing them,” Griffiths said in an interview.

CAPS’ bylaws requires that any position taken by the organization be based on a unanimous vote of the board of directors. Because some member states have competitive retail markets while others remain cost-of-service regimes Griffiths said it may be rare for the group to achieve the unanimity required to make filings at FERC.

At PJM meetings, Griffiths will cast proxy votes for individual states if requested.

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OC Hears New Proposal on Synchronized Reserve Penalty; Delays Vote

The Operating Committee Tuesday postponed a vote on proposals to increase penalties for under-performing synchronized reserve providers.

The committee voted 70-0 to delay the vote until five days after PJM provides members with performance data for their own Tier 2 synchronized reserve resources. PJM’s Stan Williams said PJM should provide the requested data within 10 days.

The representative for Dayton Power & Light Co. initially proposed the vote be delayed until the October OC meeting.

Williams said that an October vote would jeopardize PJM’s hopes of enacting tougher penalties by the end of 2013 — and thereby avoid a mention of the issue for the third year in a row in Monitoring Analytics’ State of the Market report.

Williams’ comment angered Brad Weghorst, of PPL. “Are we going to rush a proposal through just so we can make the State of the Market report?” he asked. “I don’t give a crap” about meeting the report deadline.

The Dayton representative, however, agreed to Williams’ request to amend his motion by calling for a special OC meeting five days after the data is provided.

PJM and the Market Monitor proposed increasing the penalties, saying the current penalty structure is insufficient to ensure compliance.

The current penalty is to take away revenue for the hour when the resource did not perform and also require the resource to provide Tier 2 reserves without compensation when needed for three days. If a resource fails to perform in one hour it doesn’t affect its credit for performing in another hour during the same day.

Because Tier 2 SR calls have declined to about once every 10 days from one in every three days, the three-day penalty has lost its bite. A PJM analysis found that between 2009 and 2012 generators provided only 64% of the megawatts they were assigned while demand response resources provided 53% of assignments.

Second Penalty Option

The second alternative was proposed by Dave Pratzon, of GT Power Group, who represents generation owners. Pratzon said the proposal was tougher than the current penalty but less severe than the PJM-Market Monitor proposal, which he called overly punitive.

PJM shouldn’t switch from a “penalty that’s likely too low to catch people’s attention to a penalty that’s too high,” Pratzon said.

Pratzon said one of the causes of the current performance is that many resource owners may not realize they’re being penalized because the penalties aren’t itemized in their PJM bills.

“I believe there’s a shared interest in improving performance,” Pratzon said. “Are there any bad actors in my generation fleet? If there are, I want to get with the station operators … and improve their performance.”

Another member agreed that PJM’s proposal was overly harsh but said Pratzon’s might be too lenient. He suggested a 25% “adder” to Pratzon’s penalty.