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Utility Executive Roundtable: Co-op renewable energy initiatives Lee Boughey September 16, 2010. TRI-STATE G&T. Consumer-owned, not-for-profit wholesale power supplier to 44 member co-ops Initiatives Improving existing fleet Transmission development Renewable energy Energy efficiency
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Utility Executive Roundtable: Co-op renewable energy initiatives Lee Boughey September 16, 2010
TRI-STATE G&T • Consumer-owned, not-for-profit wholesale power supplier to 44 member co-ops • Initiatives • Improving existing fleet • Transmission development • Renewable energy • Energy efficiency • Developing technology options to manage GHG risk
TRI-STATE UTILITY-SCALE RENEWABLE SUPPLY • Western Area Power Administration hydropower • Cimarron Solar • Kit Carson Windpower • Other contracts for distributed generation, including small hydro and biomass • Member renewable and distributed energy contracts
RENEWABLE MANDATES • 10 percent energy in 2020 • Applies to member cooperatives in Colorado and New Mexico • Tri-State will supply renewable energy to meet members’ requirements • Tri-State supports member development of local renewable energy
RENEWABLES RFP • Meet Colorado and New Mexico RPS definition • Commercial technology • Sought least 150,000 MWH per year, equivalent to 50 MW wind farm at 35 percent capacity • Minimum delivery of at least 15,000 MWH per year • Fuel and technology neutral • Cost was key criteria
CIMARRON SOLAR PROJECT • 30-megawatts • 500,000 thin film panels • 250 acres near Springer, N.M. • 25-year PPA • Online late 2010 • No transmission required • EPC is First Solar • Owned by the Southern Company and Turner Renewable
KIT CARSON WINDPOWER PROJECT • 51-megawatts • 34 GE 1.5 SLE turbines • 6,000 acres near Burlington, Colo. • 20-year PPA • Online late 2010 • No transmission required • Owner and operator is Duke Energy Generation Services
MEMBER LOCAL RENEWABLE PROJECTS • Policies support local development of resources • 25 MW Member projects planned or in place • Kit Carson solar projects in northern N.M. • Highline Electric (NE Colo.) and La Plata Electric (SW Colo.) recovered energy facilities • San Miguel Power hydro and solar facilities in SW Colo. • Poudre Valley REA methane gas facility in northern Colo. • Delta-Montrose EA hydropower project in western Colo.
SOLAR AUGMENTATION • Tri-State’s Escalante Station hosting solar augmentation project • EPRI study on feasibility of integrating concentrated solar power technology with coal-based power plant • If economical, could provide options to reduce emissions and increase efficiency
BIOMASS AUGMENTATION • Tri-State’s Nucla Station uses atmospheric circulating fluidized-bed combustion that could support biomass co-firing • Tri-State’s gas units could use biomass derived oils or gas • Tri-State evaluating technology and economics – could be cost effective relative to other technologies