CONFERENCE Transmission Expansion in the West The Scottsdale Plaza Resort EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 1.0 CEUs for the conference. 1
Overview The need and importance of new electricity transmission is a hotly debated topic as it involves issues associated with climate change, economic security and development, and the integration of renewable resources. This is especially true in the western United States where demand is growing and opportunities abound to attach renewable energy sources to the grid. In addition, new transmission will increase efficiency, provide a more reliable energy delivery system, and will encourage a more diverse and efficient energy supply for the western U.S. and the nation as a whole. This EUCI conference will highlight solutions to address the most current issues in western transmission expansion. Increased regulations in interstate transmission planning and increased costs have a huge impact. All the while, interest in integrating renewable resources into transmission planning has also increased. How will the ends meet? This conference will explore these issues in-depth with the organizations that must work together to ensure new transmission can be built to meet the challenge of providing enough green power for the West. Who Should attend Transmission owners and project developers Renewable energy project owners and developers State, county, and local regulatory agencies Energy consultants, project managers, and engineers Learning Outcomes Analyze how WestConnect implements FERC Order 1000 and the specifics of transmission development both regionally and inter-regionally Review renewable development issues, transmission study process and interconnection challenges in securing transmission capacity on the grid to connect renewable energy resources Discuss the Western Area Power Administration s transmission infrastructure program Apply challenges and lessons learned from the CREZ transmission project Identify key challenges and solutions with both interstate and multiple partner transmission projects Discuss HA-NG2 transmission project planning and development processes Compare best practices for transmission projects supporting the integration of renewable resources into current projects Review the design and costs involved with HVDC transmission projects in the west Discuss how diversity of wind mitigates the cost of integration relative to variable renewable resources An informative conference covering current issues with a knowledgeable group of speakers. Manager Energy Infrastructure, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission 2
Agenda Monday, April 7, 2014 8:00 8:30 a.m. registration & Continental Breakfast 8:30 9:15 a.m. Transmission Planning & Development in WestConnect WestConnect is a transmission company composed of utility companies throughout the western portion of the United States and is committed to coordinating its work with other regional industry efforts to achieve as much consistency as possible in the Western Interconnection. This presentation will discuss how WestConnect is implementing FERC Order 1000 both regionally and inter-regionally. It will cover transmission development within the WestConnect area, highlighting active projects, how they are being developed by and who. - Bob Smith, Director, Energy Delivery Asset Management and Planning, Arizona Public Service 9:15 10:00 a.m. solar/wind Developer s Perspectives on Securing Transmission Capacity to Deliver Renewable Energy Transmission system constraints are one of the major obstacles for deployment of renewable generation in the West. Currently, significant amounts of renewable projects are waiting in a generation interconnection queue to connect to the grid because there is inadequate transmission capacity to carry the electricity they would produce. A majority of these projects will require new or significant upgrades to the existing transmission grid which are costly and time consuming in nature. To promote the expansion of renewable energy, the transmission grid should be built to link areas with vast potential to generate clean electricity to the areas that have significant demand for electric power. Significant policy barriers (not technical or economic barriers) are the chief factors impeding the construction of transmission infrastructure needed for renewable resource interconnection. A cohesive effort is required from local, state, and federal officials to eliminate barriers that hinder investments in transmission infrastructure. A critical aspect of project development for renewable energy projects of all sizes is successful interconnection of the project to the transmission grid. Interconnection procedures and processes at utilities and ISOs must be streamlined in order to ensure the project is developed according to commercial schedule and without triggering any cost overruns. This session will be an overview of renewable development issues, the transmission study process, and interconnection challenges in securing transmission capacity on the grid to connect renewable energy resources. - Bhaskar Ray, Sr. Director Transmission & Interconnection Planning, SunEdison 10:00 10:30 a.m. networking Break 10:30 11:15 a.m. Western Area Power Administration s Transmission Infrastructure Program This presentation will highlight the improvements that have been made to this Program and provide a forum to discuss the Program s role in developing transmission and related technology projects for the purpose of delivering renewable energy. - Stacey Harris, Western Area Power Administration 11:15 a.m. 12:00 p.m. how Diversity of Wind Mitigates the Cost of Integration Relative to Variable Renewable Resource Loyd Drain, Executive Director, Wyoming Infrastructure Authority (WIA) will discuss the value of geographic diversity from both cost and emissions perspectives. Loyd will reference several studies commissioned by the WIA including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Grid Integration Study for WY wind to CA and the University of Wyoming s Phase II Geographic Diversity Study comparing WY wind to wind & solar in CA. Both studies are scheduled for release in early 2014. - Loyd Drain, Executive Director, Wyoming Infrastructure Authority (WIA) 12:00 1:00 p.m. group Luncheon 3
Agenda Monday, April 7, 2014 (CONTINUED) 1:00 2:30 p.m. panel Discussion: Interstate and Multi-Developer Transmission Projects: Challenges & Lessons L learned According to EEI, Interstate projects account for about 10,000 miles and $26.5 billion of the total $51.1 billion (52%) spent on transmission projects. Due to this fact and the risks and challenges of developing transmission, many companies are collaborating with other utilities to develop large-scale transmission projects. According to EEI, 67% of transmission projects collaborate with multiple partners. This panel discussion will showcase case studies of various transmission projects in the west to discuss the challenges and lessons learned. Moderator: Jennifer Rouda, Senior Project Manager, CH2M Hill - Tom Wray, Project Manager, SunZia Project - Stacey Harris, Western Area Power Administration - Bob Smith, Director, Energy Delivery Asset Management and Planning, Arizona Public Service - John Sullivan, Director of Transmission Projects, Portland General Electric - Cindy Smith, Senior Project Manager, Environmental Planning Group (EPG) 2:30 3:00 p.m. networking Break 3:00 3:45 p.m. hvdc Transmission Projects Design and Cost This presentation will provide an overview of operating modes for a DC link, discuss both overhead and underground transmission basics, as well as converting AC transmission lines to DC transmission lines. Last, it will discuss ground electrode or metallic return conductors. - Brian Furumasu, Senior Project Manager, POWER Engineers 3:45 5:00 p.m. panel Discussion: Transmission Supporting the Integration of Renewable Resources in the West Renewable energy technologies include wind power, solar power, hydroelectricity, geothermal, biomass and biofuels. According to EEI, transmission projects facilitate the integration of renewable resources, adding and/or upgrading over 13,000 miles of transmission with an accompanying investment cost of about $38.7 billion of the total $51.1 billion spent. This panel discussion will cover how transmission projects integrate renewable resources into their plans. Moderator: Brian Furumasu, Senior Project Manager, POWER - Bhaskar Ray, Senior Director- Transmission & Interconnection Planning, SunEdison - Ali Amirali, Senior Vice President, Starwood Energy - Loyd Drain, Executive Director, Wyoming Infrastructure Authority (WIA) - Bob Smith, Director, Energy Delivery Asset Management and Planning, Arizona Public Service There is no greater issue impacting the ability to make large-scale renewables happen through transmission. This conference reinforced that view. Manager, SCE 4
Agenda Tuesday, April 8, 2014 8:00 8:30 a.m. continental Breakfast 8:30 9:15 a.m. case Study: HA-NG2 (Hassayampa to North Gila) 500kV Transmission Project This project will provide transmission capacity and import capability into the Yuma area required to supplement transmission and generation resources in the Yuma area. This project consists of approximately 111.41 miles of single-circuit 500 kv line from the Hassayampa switching station to the existing North Gila 500 kv substation. It is anticipated the line will be a joint participation project but is still under discussion. The expected in service date is 2015. This presentation will cover all aspects of the project including: the siting process, sourcing strategy, internal support, substations, accounting and scheduling, progress of the project and lessons learned thus far. - Mike DeWitt, Manager- Substation Design & Transmission Construction Projects, Arizona Public Service 9:15 10:00 a.m. ac to HVDC Conversion and the Proposed Mead-Adelanto Project The presentation will be on the proposal for upgrading the existing Mead-Adelanto Project from its existing AC to HVDC operation which would increase the transmission capacity between central/southern Nevada to the Southern California load center by approximately 2,200 MW. As this proposed transmission upgrade project does not require the construction of new transmission facilities, it is a cost-effective and environmentally benign way to increase the transmission capacity in the region. Project design and planning aspects will be discussed. - Ali Amirali, Senior Vice President, Starwood Energy Group Global, LLC - Jennifer Rouda, Senior Project Manager, CH2M Hill 10:00 10:30 a.m. networking Break 10:30 11:15 a.m. case Study: Risk Management of a Large Transmission Project The Energy Transmission of Texas (ETT)* portion of the CREZ build-out comprises seven 345 kv line segments totaling 420 miles of transmission, eight new 345 kv substations and several series capacitors/ SVCs. As Program Manager/Owners Agent, URS is responsible for the design and construction of the $1.2 billion project. The discussion will focus on methods and technologies for managing and mitigating risk throughout the project which has recently gone into service. - Robert Wood, Vice President and Program Manager, URS - AEP, TBD 11:15 a.m. 12:00 p.m. california Grid Analysis - Local and Long Distance Renewable Energy Scenarios: The WIA and TransWest Express co-commissioned the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to conduct an in-depth study to determine the impact of Wyoming wind on the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) market and provide an analysis of the capacity value of such wind power delivered to California together with a projected cost of energy. A study group comprised of professionals from California and across the west was formed to review the study. - Dave Corbus, Laboratory Program Manager, Electricity Systems, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) (Invited) 5
Instructional Methods This program will use PowerPoint Presentations, group and panel discussions, as well as active participation. Requirements for Successful Completion of Program Participants must sign in/out each day and be in attendance for the entirety of the conference. iacet Credits EVENT LOCATION EUCI has been approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, VA 22102. In obtaining this approval, EUCI has demonstrated that it complies with the ANSI/IACET Standards, which are widely recognized as standards of good practice internationally. As a result of its Authorized Provider membership status, EUCI is authorized to offer IACET CEUs for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standards. EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 1.0 CEUs for the conference. A room block has been reserved at the The Scottsdale Plaza Resort, 7200 N. Scottsdale Rd., 85253, for the nights of April 6-7, 2014. Room rates are $185, plus applicable tax. Call 1-480-948-5000 for reservations and mention the EUCI program to get the group rate. The cutoff date to receive the group rate is March 6, 2014, but as there are a limited number of rooms available at this rate, the room block may close sooner. Please make your reservations early. PROCeEDINGS A copy of the conference proceedings will be distributed to attendees at the event. If you are unable to attend or would like to purchase additional copies, flash drives are available two weeks after the conference is complete. The cost per flash drive is US $295 (add US $50 for international shipments). Flash drives include visual presentations only. Upon receipt of order and payment, the flash drive will be shipped to you via regular USPS mail. NOTE: All presentation flash drive sales are final and are nonrefundable. 6
EVENT LOCATION please register the following A room block has been reserved at the The Scottsdale Plaza Resort, 7200 N. Scottsdale Rd., 85253, for the nights of April 6-7, 2014. Room rates are $185, plus applicable tax. Call 1-480-948-5000 for reservations and mention the EUCI program to get the group rate. The cutoff date to receive the group rate is March 6, 2014, but as there are a limited number of rooms available at this rate, the room block may close sooner. Please make your reservations early. : US $1395 Early bird on or BEFORE March 28, 2014: US $ 1195 I'M SORRY I CANNOT ATTEND, BUT PLEASE SEND ME THE CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS FOR US $295. (PLEASE ADD $50 FOR INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING.) EUCI s Energize Weekly e-mail newsletter compiles and reports on the latest news and trends in the energy industry. Newsletter recipients also receive a different, complimentary conference presentation every week on a relevant industry topic. The presentations are selected from a massive library of more than 1,000 current presentations that EUCI has gathered during its 26 years organizing conferences. Sign me up for Energize Weekly. How did you hear about this event? (direct e-mail, colleague, speaker(s), etc.) Print Name Job Title Company What name do you prefer on your name badge? Address City State/Province Zip/Postal Code Country Telephone Email List any dietary or accessibility needs here CREDIT CARD Name on Card Account Number Billing Address Billing City Billing State Billing Zip Code/Postal Code Exp. Date Security Code (last 3 digits on the back of Visa and MC or 4 digits on front of AmEx) OR Enclosed is a check for $ to cover registrations. All cancellations received on or before March 7, 2014, will be subject to a US $195 processing fee. Written cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event or publication. This credit will be good for six months. In case of event cancellation, EUCI s liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800. (201) 871-0474. EUCI reserves the right to alter this program without prior notice. 7