Electrical Transmission & System Reliability
An efficiency-first approach to transmission
Transmission lines are critical to our energy system, capable of shuttling electricity vast distances from where it’s generated to where it’s consumed. Over the past 40 years, energy efficiency has helped to avoid the need for new transmission projects. A coming wave of electrification and other load growth that will largely be powered by solar,…
Read MorePathways Initiative’s Step One Proposal for Governance of a West-Wide Energy Market
A single, unified energy market in the West is essential to unlock the clean energy resource potential of the West, enable efficient use of our infrastructure, and maintain a reliable and affordable energy system. The West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative is a collaborative, multi-step effort to create this connected, independently governed Western energy market, as discussed…
Read MorePathways Initiative addresses the key challenge to a West-wide electricity market
This blog post discusses the latest developments in creating a single, unified West-wide market – essential for keeping rates affordable, improving reliability, and meeting our clean energy and decarbonization goals. For an introduction to energy markets, we highly recommend checking out our Markets Month series (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3). Pathways Initiative addresses…
Read MoreCustomer-side resources will be critical as rising electricity demand, extreme weather and climate change impact the Northwest power system
In January 2024, extreme cold descended on the Northwest, causing a significant spike in electricity demand. At the same time, there were serious challenges for energy supplies across the region. But first and foremost, we want to acknowledge those personally affected by the severe weather and send a heartfelt thank you to all the utility…
Read MoreExtreme weather events strengthen the case for customer-side resources, particularly managing load
Extreme weather events have become the new norm around the world. In the typically wet Northwest, prolonged periods of drought can put pressure on the region’s hydropower system, cause heat stress and wildfire risks. In this blog post, we connect the dots between increasingly volatile weather conditions and the value of customer-side energy resources. These…
Read MoreA Single, Unified Western Market
Bonneville Power Administration has a key role The West is in the midst of determining how to structure itself into electricity markets, with significant implications for utilities, customers, and the future of a clean, equitable, and affordable western grid. Electricity markets can coordinate and optimize the electricity grid, creating a system that is more reliable,…
Read MoreWestern Market Benefits to the Northwest
The West is in the midst of determining how to structure itself into electricity markets, with significant implications for utilities, customers, and the future of a clean, equitable, and affordable western grid. Electricity markets can coordinate and optimize the electricity grid, creating a system that is more reliable, can transition to clean energy faster, and…
Read MoreMarkets 101 webinar: recording & slides
On February 15, 2023, the NW Energy Coalition and Renewable Northwest hosted a Markets 101 webinar to discuss the importance of regional electricity markets. The webinar was attended by more than 80 people from across the Northwest. Below you can find a link to the recording of the webinar as well as the slides. You…
Read MoreMarkets 101 Webinar – February 15, 2023
Presented by: NW Energy Coalition & Renewable Northwest February 15, 2023 12-2pm PT Register here. Join NW Energy Coalition and Renewable Northwest for a virtual 101 discussion about the importance of regional electricity markets. At a high level, expert panelists will give an overview of why markets are important for: With several market options on…
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