BPA Rules Address 'Explosive' Wind Power Growth

摘要

The Bonneville Power Administration in the Pacific Northwest has run smack into an issue that may well be repeated elsewhere as wind power gains a larger share of the electric power generation mix. The issue is wind integration and, more to the point, how to manage operational and cost allocation issues that arise as wind power projects come into service. It also touches on public perceptions about wind and what role it can and can't play in meeting electricity demand. BPA's tariff decision adopted a rate of $5.70/MWh for wind integration or wind balancing services. Whether or not the BPA's tariff approach wins any followers elsewhere remains to be seen. BPA said that as wind has grown on its system, its "lenient policy" has led to "rather indiscriminate use of balancing services even when within the control of wind operators." It said its new policies have begun to alter this unwanted behavior.