QUICK NEWS, September 21: FRENEMIES – WIND AND NAT GAS; AZ UTIL CALLS FOR SUN; NEW ORE-WASH WIND CONNECT; LOCKHEED TO TEST WAVES

FRENEMIES – WIND AND NAT GAS
…Bode reaching out to industry
Jim Roth, September 16, 2011 (The Journal Record)

"…[Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association] grew up in the heart of Oklahoma’s oil business and is the daughter of a Phillips Petroleum executive. She was the first woman to head the Independent Petroleum Association of America, promoting the interests of oil drillers, riggers and natural gas producers for seven years. She knows a lot about energy.

"…Bode is reaching out to the natural gas industry in hopes of firming up what she believes is a natural alliance…Bode said opportunities abound for wind and gas to partner…[B]oth are central parts of most utility generation planning…[and] should rely on each other to continue their success."

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"…[T]he country needs both wind and gas and that a partnership is a natural solution to our energy needs. By adding wind and natural gas to a generation portfolio, utilities are committing to the long-term security of the country and security for consumers, she said…

"She believes that having a diversified portfolio solution as America is shutting down more coal generation is something people want…The synergy between flexible natural gas-fired generation and renewable generation can benefit utilities’ generation portfolios and allow generators to avoid high compliance costs of continued reliance on coal…"


AZ UTIL CALLS FOR SUN
APS Seeks Renewable Energy Projects from Solar; Request for Proposal Issued
September 15, 2011 (Arizona Public Service)

"Arizona Public Service Co. [announced] a Request for Proposal (RFP) from solar developers and installers to construct a 17-megawatt solar photovoltaic facility – financed by APS through the company’s AZ Sun Program…Interested parties are encouraged to participate in a bidder’s webinar on October 12… at aps.com/rfp.

"Projects must employ commercially proven technology. When completed in 2013, the new solar facility, part of the AZ Sun Program, will be owned and operated by APS and is expected to provide electricity to more than 4,000 Arizona homes."

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"With AZ Sun, APS is investing in the development of 100 MW of solar photovoltaic power plants across Arizona. APS is partnering with third-party developers and equipment providers to design and construct the facilities, increasing the opportunity for more developers to participate since project financing is provided by APS.

"The AZ Sun Program was approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2010.
The four-year program is expected to have at least six solar facilities online by 2014 and create more than 1,000 Arizona construction jobs…"


NEW ORE-WASH WIND CONNECT
BPA begins 500kV transmission line
John McKenna, 20 September 2011 (Windpower Monthly)

"North-west transmission operator the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)… will begin building a new 500kV transmission line that will run 28 miles between Oregon and Washington state.

"The new high-voltage power line, called the Big Eddy-Knight line, will help BPA move energy from east of the Cascade Mountains to homes and businesses in population centres west of the Cascades. It will provide transmission services to up to 4GW of wind-generating capacity."

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"Construction is tentatively scheduled to start the week of 19 September 2011.

"BPA is currently embroiled in legal action with wind-farm owners in the Pacific Northwest region over nightly curtailments of their projects' electricity output. As of 13 July, a total of 97,557MWh of wind had been curtailed — 6.1% of the scheduled output…[BPA also plans to upgrade] its transmission links with California."


LOCKHEED TO TEST WAVES
Wave energy system to be built by Lockheed Martin
September 13, 2011 (PennWell via HydroWorld)

"Ocean Power Technologies Inc. is collaborating with Lockheed Martin to build a planned 1.5 MW capacity wave energy generation project in Oregon…Lockheed Martin will provide design, manufacturing, system integration and supply chain management expertise with OPT’s PowerBuoy technology…"

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"The Department of Energy (DOE) awarded OPT a $2.4 million contract to promote development of marine energy…Construction of the Oregon PB150 PowerBuoy’s steel structure has been completed and testing is ongoing."