Rocky Mountain States Sub-Regional Transmission Planning. September 26, 2003

Transcription

1 Rocky Mountain States Sub-Regional Transmission Planning September 26, 2003

2 2 Seams Steering Group Western Interconnection (SSG-WI)» SSG-WI planning was formed to develop a robust, west-wide interstate transmission system to support a competitive and seamless wholesale electricity market, covering the three western RTOs (RTO West, WestConnect and the ISO.)» PacifiCorp provided modeling for SSG-WI transmission planning» Currently concluding production cost studies at the node (bus) level» The studies identify Congestion and congestion costs in the west Potentially economic upgrades to the system» Results to be filed in October with WGA and FERC

3 SSG-WI Studies 3

4 4 Study Scope» The studies planned to identify congestion and congestion costs in the West 5 Years Out (2008)? Purpose is to identify congestion so that sub-regional entities can develop economic fixes. One resource scenario was studied; existing and new generation well under construction were only. 10 Years Out (2013)? Purpose To provide energy policy decision makers with insights into the transmission impacts of their decisions. Three generation development scenarios were studied (coal, gas, and renewable)

5 5 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Loads by WECC Region Annual GWh with Summer & Winter Peaks Summer: 56,981 Winter: 42, ,018 Mexico - CFE Summer: 2,773 Winter: 2,100 15,469 63,718 RMPA Summer: 10,846 Winter: 9, ,924 NWPP-Canada Summer: 16,132 Winter: 20, , ,889 AZ, NM & S. Summer: 29,585 Winter: 20,194 NWPP-US Summer: 36,683 Winter: 43,038

6 British Alberta 2000 & 2013 Peak Loads Annual Peak Loads in MW on Existing Transmission System 6 WA Mid-C LEGEND 2000 E. WA/ W. MT MT Colstrip 2013 Oregon Snake ID SE ID JB WY Northern N. Utah CHB Central CA Colorado S. Southern Arizona NM Mexico

7 British Alberta Existing System Total Capacity in MW as of 1/1/00 Total MWs = 158,889 On Existing Transmission System British Alberta 2013 Gas Total 7 Total MWs = 216,330 On Existing Transmission System WA Mid- E. WA/ W. MT WA b Mid- E. WA/ W. MT MT Colstrip MT Colstrip Oregon Snake Oregon Snake ID SE ID ID SE ID Northern JB WY Northern JB WY N. N. Central CA S. Utah CHB Colorado Central CA S. Utah CHB Colorado SP15 Nav Glen Four Corners Nav Glen Four Corners Coal Hydro Gas Wind Other Southern Mexico AZ NM Coal Hydro Gas Renewables Other Existing Tx New Tx Southern Mexico AZ NM British Alberta 2013 Coal Total Total MWs = 216,372 On Existing Transmission System British Alberta 2013 Renewables Total Total MWs = 225,882 On Existing Transmission System WA WA Mid- E. WA/ W. MT Mid- E. WA/ W. MT MT Colstrip MT Colstrip Oregon Snake Oregon Snake ID SE ID ID SE ID Northern JB WY Northern JB WY N. N. Central CA S. Utah CHB Colorado Central CA S. Utah CHB Colorado Nav Glen Four Corners Nav Glen Four Corners Coal Hydro Gas Renewables Other Southern AZ NM Coal Hydro Gas Renewables Other Southern AZ NM Existing Tx New Tx Mexico Existing Tx New Tx Mexico

8 British Alberta 2013 Incremental Gas 8 Total MWs = 57,241 On Existing Transmission System WA Mid- E. WA/ W. MT MT Colstrip Oregon Snake ID SE ID Northern JB WY N. Utah CHB Central CA S. Colorado Nav Glen Four Corners Coal Hydro Gas Renewables Other Southern AZ NM Existing Tx New Tx Mexico British Alberta 2013 Incremental Coal Total MWs = 57,283 On Existing Transmission System British Alberta 2013 Incremental Renewables Total MWs = 66,793 On Existing Transmission System WA Mid- E. WA/ W. MT MT Colstrip WA Mid- E. WA/ W. MT MT Colstrip Oregon Snake Oregon Snake Northern ID SE ID JB WY Northern ID SE ID JB WY N. N. Coal Hydro Gas Renewables Other Central CA Southern S. Nav Glen Utah AZ Four Corners CHB NM Colorado Coal Hydro Gas Renewables Other Central CA Southern S. Nav Glen Utah AZ Four Corners CHB NM Colorado Existing Tx New Tx Mexico Existing Tx New Tx Mexico

9 Geothermal & Biomass Plants 9 480MW 585MW 79MW 262MW 50MW SSGWI Assumed Geothermal & Biomass Plant Capacity Location (MW) G_Nrthwt 587 Pondosa 230 G_Id 79 McCall 138 G_Ca.N 450 Carabou 230 G_Nv.SPP 923 Boardertown 345 G_Ca.S 450 Kramer 230 G_Az 462 N.gila 500 G_NewMx 204 Luna 345 G_PACE 267 Soda Springs G_B_Co 50 Limon SaltnS added to Salton Sea Blundll1 200 added to Blundell 923MW 200MW 450MW 100MW 62MW 204MW Western Resource Advocates

10 Solar 10 53MW SSGWI Assumed Solar Plant Capacity Location (MW) S_Ut_NW 53 Gondor 230 S_Co 58 Vilas 115 S_NM 278 Luna 345 S_Az 1043 Palo Verde 500 S_Ca.S 371 Luz 230 S_Nv 459 Northwest 500 S_Ca.N 222 Wilson MW 58MW 459MW 371MW 1043MW 278MW Western Resource Advocates

11 Wind 150MW MW 3700MW 1250MW 500MW 6900MW 1200MW 1000MW 800MW 2800MW Western Resource Advocates 300MW 1700MW

12 12 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection SSG-WI Hydro Modeling Hydro Generation (GWH) 300, , , , ,000 NW Canada NW US Rocky Mtn AZ-NM NW Canada NW US NW Canada 50,000 NW US 0 Wet Median Dry

13 13 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Gas Prices Average Gas Wellhead Price - Real 2003 Dollars from CEC Gas Markert Assessment May 27, 2003 $6.00 $5.00 Dollars per mmbtu $4.00 $3.00 $2.00 $1.00 $ CEC Low Medium High SSG-WI Low Medium High

14 14 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Sensitivities Included in Study 2008 &2013 Simulation Generation Under Construction 6 Gas/Hydro Sensitivities High Gas Average Gas High Hydro Average Hydro Low Hydro Low Gas Extra in the 2008 Case

15 Results 15

16 16 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Results Summary 2008» Existing WECC Transmission Costs WECC 2008 case shows some bottle-necked inexpensive resources - ~$110 million VOM savings» Resource Development New resources are mostly gas-fired CCCTs Capacity by fuel type is shifting toward gas, the % change in energy is greater than the rate of capacity increase» Total VOM Cost Estimates More sensitive to gas price sensitivity as opposed to the gas price scenario than hydro scenario In 2008, for every $1/MMbtu change in gas price, fuel costs in the Western Interconnection change ~$2 billion

17 17 Western Interconnection Installed Generation Capacity (GWs( GWs) GWh by Energy Source

18 18 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Expansion Values - Shadow Prices

19 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Transmission Paths Definition SELKIRK LANGDON Alberta - British 19 NW - Canada NELWAY SEATTLE/TACOMA AREA PORTLAND AREA SAN FRANCISCO AREA MIDWAY W. of Cascade - North W. of Cascade - South MEDFORD PACI (COB) PG&E to PP&L OLINDA Path 15 NANEUM HANFORD ROUND MT. TABLE MT. TESLA SAN LUIS GATES LOS ANGELES AREA CHIEF JOSEPH GRAND COULEE MALIN Alturas DIABLO CANYON LOWER MONUMENTAL BROADMAN GRIZZLY PG&E to SPP N. Ca. to S. Ca. W. of Hatwai SUMMER LAKE PDCI (NOB) TRACY MIDWAY MIGUEL VALMY DEVERS DWORSHAK MIDPOINT HARRY ALLEN MARKETPLACE Cal ISO to CFE NW to Idaho TAFT Brownlee East Summer Lake Silver Peak/Inyo to Control Borah West Id. to Sierra E. of River W.of River N.GILA Montana to NW GARRISON BORAH BRADY IPP DC Tot 2c MEAD AREA BEN LOMOND Path C CAMP WILLIAMS RED BUTTE Id. to Mt. GLEN CANYON GOSHEN TOWNSEND SIGURD HUNTER/ EMERY Tot 2b PHOENIX AREA PALO VERDE Bonanza West PINTO NAVAJO CHOLLA VAIL W. of Broadview Bridger West BONANZA VACA- DIXON INTER- MOUNTAIN SPRING- ERVILLE BROADVIEW JIM BRIDGER Tot 1a RIFLE Tot 2a FO UR CORNE R S CRAIG SAN JUAN S W CORONADO of Four Corners GREENLEE Southern NM DIABLO Tot 4b LARMIE RIVER STA. Tot 4a WEST MESA W. of Colstrip COLSTRIP Tot 5 Tot 3 Northern NM DEER AREA AMRAD CALIENTE Tot 7 BLACKWATER ARTESIA

20 British 144% Alberta 20 Transmission Paths No Transmission Constraints Flows on Existing Paths Renewables Legend Northern Central Existing Capacity Constrained Generation 28% 109% Oregon 10% WA 13% Southern East WA 69% 100% N. Nevada S. Nevada 91% Snake 131% 36% Idaho 49% 147% 108% 14% 34% SE Idaho Utah Arizona MT 122% Jim Bridger 53% Four Corners 88% 77% Wyoming 78% Colorado % = AVG Flow/Max Rating 109% 85% East Colorado Legend Northern Central Existing Capacity Constrained Generation 44% 53% Oregon -7% WA Southern British 5% East WA 28% 47% 152% N. Nevada S. Nevada 90% 76% Snake 46% Idaho 59% Alberta 63% 64% -5% -9% SE Idaho Utah Arizona MT 86% Jim Bridger 38% Four Corners 62% 45% Wyoming Colorado 7% Transmission Paths No Transmission Constraints Flows on Existing Paths Gas % = AVG Flow/Max Rating 76% 67% East Colorado Legend Central Existing Capacity Constrained Generation 81% Northern 32% Oregon 2% WA 81% Southern British East WA 110% 161% 39% N. Nevada S. Nevada 115% 259% Snake 32% Idaho 280% Alberta 167% 46% 136% 66% SE Idaho Utah Arizona MT 170% Jim Bridger 194% Four Corners 171% 298% Wyoming Colorado 219% Transmission Paths No Transmission Constraints Flows on Existing Paths Coal % = AVG Flow/Max Rating 172% 111% East Colorado

21 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Example: path loading ~ 70% of the time - unrestricted Case 21

22 22 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Perceived Transmission Needs» Criteria used for First Iteration» Added capacity to paths so they would operate below their capacity limit at least 75% of the time. Blocks of capacity additions: MW required 500 kv transmission MW required 345 kv transmission Sufficient transmission was added so reliability criteria could be met, however, power flow or stability studies will be required to verify performance In many cases the transmission added was not on the congested path, rather on another path that would be more effective in alleviating the congestion.» Criteria used for Second Iteration Incremental Increase Used shadow pricing - path total expansion value of $40,000 or greater to further refine transmission configuration» Weighed cost & benefit of the first two iterations to choose final iteration

23 Background map courtesy of Western Electricity Coordinating Council 23 Background map courtesy of Western Electricity Coordinating Council SSG-WI Study Proposed Transmission Additions Gas Scenario (Common to all) Coal scenario DC Renewables scenario

24 2013 Case Results 24

25 Operating Costs 25

26 Variable Operating Costs The model dispatched and estimated VOM for the Gas, Coal, and Renewable Scenarios. In addition a base scenario of no generation or transmission additions was run (2013 loads against 2008 G&T). This allows an estimate of total VOM savings for the three scenarios. 26 The VOM savings could be compared to the total capital requirements (both generation & transmission) and other considerations (environmental impacts, desired fuel mix, perceived risks, etc) when comparing scenarios.

27 LMP 27

28 Monroe 35.2/33.1/33.9 John Day 35.2/33.4/ LMP Prices $ GM Schrum 35.2/33.1/33.9 Langdon 34.6/33.0/33.5 Colstrip 34.6/26.0/28.5 Clearing Prices (Energy Only) $/MWH (AW-MG) 2013 Gas LMP 2013 Coal LMP 28 Capt Jack 35.2/33.9/33.7 Tesla 36.3/35.9/35.8 Adlanto 36.1/32.6/35.5 Tracy 36.1/38.1/33.3 Midpoint 35.2/33.7/33.6 Crystal 35.4/34.5/35.0 Mona 35.2/30.2/33.6 Jim Bridger 34.6/24.3/33.4 Craig 35.1/28.8/33.4 Four Corners 35.3/33.1/33.9 Wyodak 34.6/25.5/ Renewable LMP Miguel 37.0/36.6/36.1 Harquaha 35.6/34.8/35.2 Westwing 35.4/34.5/35.0 Luna 36.3/36.4/35.2

29 29 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Price Difference Vs. Gas (Marginal Generator)

30 Congestion 30

31 31 Transmission Path Expansion values The Gas Scenario has the lowest Expansion Values; Two reasons; CCCTs placed close to load, & similar operating costs of CCCTs in different areas. The Renewable Scenario has higher Expansion Values - more remote generation & large operating cost differences between areas. The Coal Scenario has the highest Expansion Values, due to the quantity of remote, low operating cost, MWhs.

32 Example: Shadow Price Calculation 32

33 Resource Performance 33

34 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Plant Performance 34» Modeled transmission additions allowed the bulk of economic generation to reach load» Changes in hydro energy is covered by gas resources (Forced outages were not modeled)

35 Gas Scenario 35

36 WA Existing System Total Capacity in MW as of 1/1/00 Total MWs = 158,889 British Alberta On Existing Transmission System Gas Scenario Mid- E. WA/ W. MT MT Colstrip? About 49 GW new gas-fired CCCT? About 8 GW new Wind plants 36 Northern Oregon N. Snake ID SE ID JB WY Incremental Approx. Capital? 18,300 MW CCCT ~ $600 per kw? 6,400 MW Wind ~ $1000 per kw Central CA S. Utah CHB Colorado? 1300 Miles of 500 kv line ~ $2 Million per Mile SP15 Nav Glen Four Corners Coal Hydro Gas Wind Other Southern Mexico AZ NM Circa $20 Billion new capital from 2008 to 2013 British Alberta 2013 Incremental Gas Total MWs = 57,241 On Existing Transmission System British Alberta 2013 Gas Total Total MWs = 216,330 On Existing Transmission System WA Mid- E. WA/ W. MT WA b Mid- E. WA/ W. MT MT Colstrip MT Colstrip Oregon Snake Oregon Snake ID SE ID ID SE ID Northern JB WY Northern JB WY N. N. Central CA S. Utah CHB Colorado Central CA S. Utah CHB Colorado Nav Glen Four Corners Nav Glen Four Corners Coal Hydro Gas Renewables Other Southern AZ NM Coal Hydro Gas Renewables Other Southern AZ NM Existing Tx New Tx Mexico Existing Tx New Tx Mexico

37 Gas Scenario 37

38 Gas Scenario 38

39 Delta: (2008 Transmission, Generation & 2013 load) VS. ( 2013 Gas scenario) 39 B.C. Hydro LOAD: $31.36 Gen: $ Aquila LOAD: $31.35 Gen: $30.98 Alberta LOAD: $30.92 Gen: $30.77 Montana LOAD: $30.82 Gen: $30.49 WAPAU.M. LOAD: $30.57 Gen: N/A Northwest Idaho LOAD: $31.48 Gen: $31.21 Sierra LOAD: $32.33 Gen: $32.27 LOAD: $31.07 Gen: $30.74 PSCOLORADO LOAD: $32.21 Gen: $32.21 PG & E LOAD: $32.69 Gen: $33.23 LADWP Nevada LOAD: $31.90 Gen: $32.02 PACE LOAD: $31.47 Gen: $30.99 WAPA R.M. LOAD: $31.03 Gen: $31.07 LOAD: $32.97 Gen: $31.76 SOCOLIF LOAD: $33.02 Gen: $33.97 New Mexico WAPA L.C. LOAD: $32.15 Gen: $31.49 Sandiego ImperialCA LOAD: $32.36 Gen: $31.95 Mexico -C LOAD: $31.60 Gen: $31.66 Arizona LOAD: $31.96 Gen: $31.42 LMP Costs (2003$) SCENARIO (AW-AG) : Gas LOAD: $33.40 Gen: $33.95 LOAD: $32.69 Gen: $32.51 Legend LOAD: LMP Costs for the Load Gen: LMP Costs for the Generator

40 Coal Scenario 40

41 WA British Mid- E. WA/ W. MT Alberta Existing System Total Capacity in MW as of 1/1/00 Total MWs = 158,889 On Existing Transmission System Coal Scenario ? About 33 GW new gas-fired CCCT? About 8 GW new Wind plants? About 16 GW new Coal Plants 41 Northern Oregon N. Snake ID SE ID MT JB Colstrip WY Incremental Approx. Capital? 1,900 MW CCCT ~ $600 per kw? 6,400 MW Wind ~ $1000 per kw? 16,400 MW new Coal ~ $1400 per kw Central CA SP15 S. Nav Glen Utah Four Corners CHB Colorado? 8,300 Miles of 500 kv line ~ $2 million/mile? 3000 MW Wyoming-LA new DC Line ~ $3 Billion? 1000 MW Upgrade to existing DC ~ $1 Billion Coal Hydro Gas Wind Other Southern Mexico AZ NM Capital costs would be Circa $47 Billion from 2008 to 2013 British Alberta 2013 Incremental Coal Total MWs = 57,283 On Existing Transmission System British Alberta 2013 Coal Total Total MWs = 216,372 On Existing Transmission System WA Mid- E. WA/ W. MT MT Colstrip WA Mid- E. WA/ W. MT MT Colstrip Oregon Snake Oregon Snake ID SE ID ID SE ID Northern JB WY Northern JB WY N. N. Central CA S. Utah CHB Colorado Central CA S. Utah CHB Colorado Nav Glen Four Corners Nav Glen Four Corners Coal Hydro Gas Renewables Other Southern AZ NM Coal Hydro Gas Renewables Other Southern AZ NM Existing Tx New Tx Mexico Existing Tx New Tx Mexico

42 Coal Scenario 42

43 Coal Scenario 43

44 Delta: (2008 Transmission, Generation & 2013 load) VS. ( 2013 Coal scenario) 44 B.C. Hydro LOAD: $29.72 Gen: $ Aquila LOAD: $29.67 Gen: $28.64 Alberta LOAD: $29.60 Gen: $29.78 Montana LOAD: $24.39 Gen: $22.45 WAPAU.M. LOAD: $22.35 Gen: N/A Northwest Idaho LOAD: $30.00 Gen: $29.50 Sierra LOAD: $34.62 Gen: $35.22 LOAD: $29.63 Gen: $24.63 PSCOLORADO LOAD: $25.64 Gen: $25.50 PG & E LOAD: $32.59 Gen: $33.41 LADWP Nevada LOAD: $30.93 Gen: $32.61 PACE LOAD: $27.85 Gen: $25.69 WAPA R.M. LOAD: $24.48 Gen: $23.51 LOAD: $31.16 Gen: $30.51 SOCOLIF LOAD: $33.01 Gen: $34.04 Sandiego ImperialCA LOAD: $32.04 Gen: $31.82 Mexico -C WAPA L.C. LOAD: $29.87 Gen: $30.15 Arizona LOAD: $31.03 Gen: $30.47 New Mexico LOAD: $31.12 Gen: $29.62 LMP Costs (2003$) SCENARIO (AW-AG) : Coal LOAD: $33.37 Gen: $33.77 LOAD: $37.76 Gen: $37.80 Legend LOAD: LMP Costs for the Load Gen: LMP Costs for the Generator

45 Renewable Scenario 45

46 WA British Mid- E. WA/ W. MT Alberta MT Existing System Total Capacity in MW as of 1/1/00 Total MWs = 158,889 On Existing Transmission System Colstrip Renewable Scenario ? About 40 GW new gas-fired CCCT? About 20 GW new Wind plants? About 4 GW new Geothermal and Biomass Plants? About 2 GW new solar (Central & rooftop PV, & thermal) 46 Oregon Snake Northern Central CA N. S. ID Utah SE ID JB CHB WY Colorado Incremental Approx. Capital? 9,500 MW CCCT ~ $600 per kw? 18,500 MW Wind ~ $1000 per kw? 3800 MW Geothermal & Biomass ~ $2000 per kw? 2400 MW Solar ~ $2000 per kw SP15 Nav Glen Four Corners 3800 Miles of 500 kv line ~ $2 Million/Mile Coal Hydro Gas Wind Other Southern Mexico AZ NM Capital costs would be Circa $43 Billion from 2008 to 2013 British Alberta 2013 Incremental Renewables Total MWs = 66,793 On Existing Transmission System British Alberta 2013 Renewables Total Total MWs = 225,882 On Existing Transmission System WA Mid- E. WA/ W. MT MT Colstrip WA Mid- E. WA/ W. MT MT Colstrip Oregon Snake Oregon Snake ID SE ID ID SE ID Northern JB WY Northern JB WY N. N. Central CA S. Utah CHB Colorado Central CA S. Utah CHB Colorado Nav Glen Four Corners Nav Glen Four Corners Coal Hydro Gas Renewables Other Southern AZ NM Coal Hydro Gas Renewables Other Southern AZ NM Existing Tx New Tx Mexico Existing Tx New Tx Mexico

47 47 Renewable Scenario

48 Renewable Scenario 48

49 Delta: (2008 Transmission, Generation & 2013 load) VS. ( 2013 Renewable scenario) 49 B.C. Hydro LOAD: $30.26 Gen: $30.68 Aquila LOAD: $30.25 Gen: $29.74 Alberta LOAD: $29.91 Gen: $29.96 Montana LOAD: $25.81 Gen: $24.45 WAPAU.M. LOAD: $25.54 Gen: N/A Northwest Idaho LOAD: $30.41 Gen: $30.00 Sierra LOAD: $29.96 Gen: $29.69 LOAD: $29.72 Gen: $29.52 PSCOLORADO LOAD: $30.20 Gen: $30.32 PG & E LOAD: $32.17 Gen: $32.72 LADWP Nevada LOAD: $31.52 Gen: $31.81 PACE LOAD: $30.12 Gen: $29.04 WAPA R.M. LOAD: $29.37 Gen: $29.57 LOAD: $32.43 Gen: $31.00 SOCOLIF LOAD: $32.42 Gen: $33.18 New Mexico WAPA L.C. LOAD: $31.13 Gen: $30.52 Sandiego ImperialCA LOAD: $31.81 Gen: $31.41 Mexico -C LOAD: $30.80 Gen: $31.20 Arizona LOAD: $31.53 Gen: $30.99 LMP Costs (2003$) SCENARIO (AW-AG): Renewable LOAD: $32.67 Gen: $32.93 LOAD: $32.53 Gen: $32.53 Legend LOAD: LMP Costs for the Load Gen: LMP Costs for the Generator

50 50 How to Apply Capital Costs?

51 51 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Generation Integration ~ 2m/mi mi

52 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Caveat: For discussion purposes only and not to be construed as final. 52 Transmission Capital Costs

53 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Caveat: For discussion purposes only and not to be construed as final. Which is the appropriate cash flow to consider? 53 Loads priced at bus LMP Savings from total operating costs Net load savings, generation revenue change less VOM savings

54 Caveat: For discussion purposes only and not to be construed as final. 54

55 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection Caveat: For discussion purposes only and not to be construed as final. 55 Cost & Savings of the Three Scenarios» Just a quick cut at incremental costs and investments.» The coal scenario has incremental capital costs of ~$24 billion while the Renewable is ~$22B (on top of ~$19B for the gas case).» Savings average ~$3.8B for coal and ~$2.7B for renewable, so a 6 and 8 year simple payback.

56 56 Seams Steering Group of the Western Interconnection SSG-WI Study Conclusions» Gas resources require less new transmission to develop» Resources at remote areas require more transmission and longer time» Transmission additions, common to all three scenarios, were designed to relieve congestion seen in 2008 and 2013» Emphasis on reliability to be addressed in the sub-regional process as a necessity» All scenario additions show to be cost effective» Other supportive benefits from building transmission:» Loss savings benefits» lost time for maintenance» Symbiotic effects of transmission paving the way for more opportunities (i.e. wind developments in Montana, coal in the eastern states of WECC)» There are areas on the grid that will be congested in the near future and solutions should be investigated in sub regional forums