The California Independent System Operator (California ISO) board of governors has approved two rule changes designed to help integrate renewable generating resources onto the power grid faster and more efficiently.
The board first approved a proposal to apply to renewable resources some of the same performance standards conventional generators must meet. The new requirements make intermittent resources more reliable for real-time operations, and are key to meeting the state's renewable energy goals, according to the California ISO. The ISO believes implementing these new requirements now will preserve grid reliability and avoid having to apply them retroactively.
The second vote modified the current ISO grid-planning process that only allows approval of transmission projects based on the reliability or economic benefits they provide. To help achieve California's goal of meeting electricity demand with 33% renewable energy by the year 2020, the ISO-revised grid-planning process will enable the ISO to approve transmission projects that support state policies. It also allows qualified independent transmission developers to build and own some projects.
Both new policies require approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
SOURCE: California ISO
