Morgan Lewis partners Floyd L. Norton, IV and Levi McAllister presented a webinar titled "Implications of Integrating Variable Energy Resources."
A combination of energy and environmental public policy initiatives has driven the rapid growth of variable energy resources (VERs) in the United States in recent years. The variability of VER generation output, however, makes it difficult to operate and plan bulk-power systems in real time, as well as in near-term and long-term operating and planning horizons. FERC and the industry have struggled to overcome these problems as more VERs have reached commercial operation. In light of the above complications, among other issues, FERC issued a Final Rule adopting reforms to facilitate the integration of VERs into the bulk-power systems. The June 22, 2012, Final Rule adopts two reforms from FERC's November 18, 2010, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
Topics discussed in this webinar included:
- The FERC's amendments to the pro forma Open Access Transmission Tariff and Large Generator Interconnection Agreement to facilitate the integration of VERs into bulk-power systems
- Potential business and regulatory implications of the Final Rule
- Compliance obligations of public utility transmission providers