Electricity Law: Current Topics 2014

CAPACITY PLANNING, MARKET MANIPULATION, NUCLEAR CLOSINGS, TRANSMISSION COST, MERGERS, FEDERAL–STATE RELATIONS AND MORE

For the 17th year, Scott Hempling will offer his spring Current Topics course—a 1.5-day, 9-hour seminar for decisionmakers and practitioners seeking a rigorous review of the year’s legal developments in electricity law. Thousands of students from all 50 states, from FERC, from all regulatory professions, and all career stages, have attended these seminars. 

Planning for GHG Regulation

Renewables win and coal loses in a carbon-constrained future. Scenario modeling lends insight to capital planning and resource strategy processes.

It is more certain now than it was a year ago that the United States will regulate carbon emissions from power plants in the future. The details surrounding this regulation, however, are still very uncertain, and present a problem for utilities as they attempt to plan for an uncertain future. Power generation companies, particularly electric utilities, can no longer ignore the potential for future carbon regulation.

Distributed Generation: Benefit Values In Hard Numbers

In the second of three articles, Oak Ridge National Laboratory reviews the economics and financial issues related to DG.

In the second of three articles on DER, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory examines the effect of DER and combined heat and power on a large power pool.

Survalent Technology Commissions New SCADA System for Lakeland Power Distribution

Survalent Technology commissioned an advanced distribution management system (ADMS) for Lakeland Power Distribution. The new system features Survalent's open-architecture system based on Windows Server. It includes Survalent's open system applications, including: SmartVU, SCADA explorer, event data recording, IED wizard & control panel, SCADA add-in, remote alarm annunciation, DNP 3.0 scan task, connectivity import interface, AMI interface and ICCP master to master protocol.

Fleming-Mason Energy Deploys Tantalus for AMI Communications Network

Fleming-Mason Energy (FME) selected Tantalus for the design and implementation of an AMI communications network in northeastern Kentucky. FME will also leverage TUNet - the Tantalus Utility Network - to support a wide range of integrated applications. FME is utilizing TUNet's hybrid RF mesh architecture which leverages an ultra-long range 220 MHz WAN backhaul in combination with a terrain hugging 900 MHz LAN. FME is also leveraging the use of remote disconnect/reconnect meters to assist in streamlining collections and improving customer service.

GE Introduces 2.75-120 Wind Turbine

GE unveiled its 2.75-120 wind turbine, part of GE's brilliant wind platform. The 2.75-120 that provides 5 percent more annual energy production than GE's 2.5-120 model and is available with various tower technologies, ranging between 85-139 meters, and optional energy storage. The new turbine is available on a steel, hybrid or space frame tower. The range of tower height spans 85-139 meters tall.

Duke Energy Renewables Acquires Two Solar Projects From Infigen Energy

Duke Energy Renewables acquired two 20-MW AC California solar projects from renewable energy developer Infigen Energy. The Pumpjack and Wildwood Solar Power Projects, located in Kern County near Bakersfield, represent Duke Energy Renewables' third and fourth utility-scale solar power projects in the state. The solar energy generated from the two projects will be sold through 20-year PPA with Southern California Edison.

SunEdison, Nationwide Mutual, Sol Systems and National Bank of Arizona Announce Financing for 13.4 MW Solar Electricity Portfolio

SunEdison, along with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, National Bank of Arizona (NBAZ), and Sol Systems announced a $50 million fund to build a 13.4 MW solar portfolio for the State of California prison and hospital systems. Sol Systems advised Nationwide Mutual Insurance on the acquisition of the equity in the transaction. SunEdison secured long-term debt for the projects from the National Bank of Arizona (NBAZ).

GE Energy Consulting Signs Software License Agreement with New York Power Authority

GE Energy Consulting and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) have agreed to a one-year license arrangement allowing NYPA to use GE's Multi-Area Production Simulation (MAPS) software. NYPA is expanding its current modeling capabilities to perform high-fidelity nodal analysis. GE's MAPS software allows users to assess the value of a portfolio of generating units, identifies transmission constraints that impact the economic operation of the system and analyzes the complex interaction between the generation and transmission assets on the system.