CREZ

OSI to Provide New Energy Management System for Cross Texas Transmission

Open Systems International (OSI) was selected to provide a new SCADA/EMS to Cross Texas Transmission (CTT) based on OSI's monarch platform. CTT is a new Texas electric transmission utility selected by the Public Utility Commission of Texas to design, build and own transmission facilities for the interconnection of renewable generation in the Panhandle of Texas, one of the areas in which the Public Utility Commission designated Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ).

EDF Renewable Energy's Spinning Spur II Wind Project Reaches Commercial Operation

EDF Renewable Energy’s 61- MW Spinning Spur II Wind Project in Texas has reached commercial operation. Spinning Spur II commenced construction of 87 GE 1.85-MW, 87-meter rotor wind turbines 40 miles west of Amarillo in June 2013. The power is sold pursuant to an 11-year purchase agreement. The project is one of the first to feed into the new CREZ (Competitive Renewable Energy Zone) transmission infrastructure.

EDF Renewable Energy Buys 194 MW Spinning Spur 3 Project in Texas

EDF Renewable Energy acquired the 194-MW Spinning Spur 3 Wind Project from Cielo Wind Power (Cielo). Spinning Spur 3 is located on approximately 18,000 acres in Oldham County, Texas, roughly 50 miles west of Amarillo. The project expects commercial operation by the end of 2015 utilizing ERCOT's new CREZ transmission lines.

ETT Energizes Last of Seven CREZ Transmission Lines in West Texas

Electric Transmission Texas (ETT) energized the last of seven 345-kV transmission line projects associated with the Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) initiative in west Texas. The Edith Clarke to Cottonwood transmission line was energized to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid on Dec. 4.

EDF Sells Stake in Spinning Spur II Wind Farm Project to UBS

EDF Renewable Energy (EDF) and UBS International Infrastructure Fund (UBS) signed a definitive agreement under which UBS will acquire a 50 percent equity interest from EDF in the 161-MW Spinning Spur II wind farm project, subject to completion of construction and customary conditions precedent. Spinning Spur II, located in Oldham County Texas, commenced construction in June 2013 with an expected commercial operation date on or about July 1, 2014. Spinning Spur II will utilize 87 General Electric wind turbines with a rated capacity of 1.85 MW each.

Vendor Neutral

(March 2012) DTE Energy awards contract to URS; Exelon and Constellation reach an agreement with Electricite de France; Dominion and Lockheed Martin enter a joint marketing and development alliance; plus deals involving Nissan North America, CenterPoint Energy Field Services, Honeywell, Silver Spring Networks, and others.

Green Gridworks

Case studies on integrating renewable resources.

Where wind integration has been most successful, state authorities developed and adopted basic transmission planning and cost allocation principles before FERC issued Order 1000. Experiences in Texas, California, and Hawaii demonstrate what it takes to overcome permitting and cost allocation barriers—namely, a coherent policy framework and close coordination among stakeholders.

Vendor Neutral

(August 2011) Shaw Group completes 500 MW combined cycle plant; Pattern Energy begins building Spring Valley wind farm; AEP, Duke and TVA team up on interstate transmission line; AEP and MidAmerican contract for Texas transmission projects; Alliant contracts Open Systems International for volt-VAR control system; Alstom buys into AWS Ocean Energy; Siemens acquires shares in PV manufacturer Semprius; Lockheed Martin introduces cyber security system; plus contracts and announcements involving Elster, Itron, Suzlon, Solon, Sensus, Westinghouse Electric, Morgan Lewis and others.

Vendor Neutral

(May 2011) Florida Power & Light unveils hybrid solar power plant; SECO selects Sensus for smart grid technology; Lockheed to implement Con Edison energy efficiency programs; Elster partners with SAIC to deliver comprehensive smart grid solutions; Columbia Power Technologies deploys wavepower prototype system; plus contracts and announcements from GE, Siemens, Verizon Wireless, DT, Xcel, Tenaska Solar and others.

Vendor Neutral

Former Pres. Bill Clinton and other dignitaries help Duke, Cisco and Charlotte, N.C., launch commercial efficiency initiative; AEP signs 20-year MOU to buy solar output from New Harvest plant; Wartsila expands gas-fired generator in Turkey; U.S. DOE awards geothermal RD&D grants; GE acquires Dresser for $3 billion, and also acquires Calnetix industrial cogen technology; SunEdison sells 70 MW Rovigo PV plant; Ford Motor Co.