The Transformer

Size matters ‘Mega’ wind farms could make new transmission practical Background The number and size of new and projected Northwest wind farms have exploded, matching the worldwide annual growth rate of 37-percent for the past seven years. Wind, however, continues to provide just a small fraction of the region’s power. To really combat global warming…

Volume 4, Number 8 Decoupling 101: Breaking the link between energy sales and utility revenue Background Who doesn’t love conservation? We all know that more efficient energy use is the cheapest and cleanest resource going. The recognition that “the cheapest kilowatt is the one we don’t use” hardly qualifies as a “Eureka!” moment any more.…

Volume 4, Number 7 PacifiCorp’s dilemma Background PacifiCorp is a large investor-owned utility serving portions of six states: Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, California, Washington and Idaho. In the not-to-distant past, NW Energy Coalition and other clean-energy advocacy groups commended PacifiCorp’s foresight in assessing the cost of carbon emissions while compiling its 2004 integrated resource plan (IRP)…

Volume 4, Number 6 Clean energy forces win a lot, lose a little in BPA’s power allocation scheme Table of Contents Background Double, double, toil and trouble – The basic problem Renewed interest – Renewables commitment Tracks of my tiers – Meeting load growth How high’s the water, momma? – Power allocations Fish keep the…

Volume 4, Number 5 Power Council-BPA study shows feasibility of integrating wind in the Northwest Background In December 2004, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council – the regional power-planning agency representing the governors of Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington – released its 5th Northwest Power Plan. The 5th Plan was groundbreaking. Not only did it…

Volume 4, Number 4 Study shows region outpacing conservation goal Power Council seeks advice on hiking 5th Plan target Background In December 2004, energy efficiency advocates cheered the release of a new power plan that called for meeting half the predicted increase in Northwest energy demand with conservation. The Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s 5th…

Volume 4, Number 3 Replacing the power from the Lower Snake dams Background On Nov. 15, 2006, salmon recovery advocates released Revenue Stream, a compilation of earlier reports on the costs and benefits of removing the four Lower Snake River dams in southeastern Washington to restore Columbia Basin salmon species now on threatened or endangered…

Vol.4, No.1 Shedding some light on solar costs Background As a renewable energy source, solar panels — or photovoltaics (PVs) — are still not widely utilized or generally seen as cost effective in this region. Two factors are combining to change that conclusion, however.  First, skyrocketing demand has dramatically driven down PV costs.  Second, utilities…