MISO Energy Storage Market Reforms Possible with Utility Complaint to FERC

February 8, 2017 in Energy Systems Author: Matt Prorok

*This is an update of a post that was originally published in December*

On October 21, 2016, Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL), an Indianapolis based, vertically integrated utility, filed a formal complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) against the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) under Section 206 of the Federal Power Act over what it perceives as the mistreatment of its Harding Street Station Battery Energy Storage System (HSS BESS) (Docket EL17-8). Essentially, IPL’s complaint boils down to three “asks,” with plenty of details surrounding timing, ongoing proceedings, and stakeholder input left for FERC to figure out. Continue reading »

Great Northern Transmission Line Bringing Flexibility and Clean Energy to Northern Minnesota

December 29, 2016 in Energy Systems Author: Matt Prorok

With regulatory hurdles cleared at both the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the U.S. Department of Energy, the Great Northern Transmission Line is set to connect Minnesota Power to Manitoba Hydro, across the U.S./Canadian border. The 224-mile, 500 kV transmission line will connect Minnesota Power transmission system in northern Minnesota to Manitoba Hydro’s grid. Continue reading »

New Transmission to Expand Midwestern Wind Power

October 26, 2016 in Energy Systems Authors: Dane McFarlane, Matt Prorok

Wind Turbine

Note: This blog post contains three interactive maps and may take a moment to load

A set of new electric transmission lines, developed with the help of the Great Plains Institute, is under construction to connect more Midwestern wind power to large cities in the east. The Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator (MISO), which operates the electric grid in the Midwest, has been moving forward with the Multi-Value Project (MVP) portfolio since 2011. Continue reading »

Midwestern Governor’s Association 6th Transmission Summit Draws Engaged Crowd

October 13, 2016 in Energy Systems Author: Matt Prorok

On October 5th and 6th, the Midwestern Governor’s Association, with assistance from the Great Plains Institute, convened its sixth transmission summit in Columbus, OH. This year’s meeting focused on modernizing the electric grid, and the emerging technologies and regulatory hurdles that accompany an industry in transition.  Information is available at the Midwestern Governors Association website. Continue reading »

Transmission Done Right in the Upper Midwest

June 1, 2016 in Energy Systems Author: Matt Prorok

Power Lines

In April 2016, the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs released a report, Transmission Planning and CapX2020; Building Trust to Build Regional Transmission¹, detailing the monumental effort a coalition of eleven Midwestern utilities² undertook from 2004-2012 to design, site, and build 800 miles of new high-voltage transmission lines worth over $2 billion across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The CapX2020 project was as much a feat in cooperation and coordination as it was in transmission capacity expansion. Continue reading »

New Transmission to Expand Midwestern Wind Power

February 16, 2016 in Energy Systems Authors: Dane McFarlane, Matt Prorok

Note: This blog post contains three interactive maps and may take a moment to load

A set of new electric transmission lines, developed with the help of the Great Plains Institute, is under construction to connect more Midwestern wind power to large cities in the east. The Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator (MISO), which operates the electric grid in the Midwest, has been moving forward with the Multi-Value Project (MVP) portfolio since 2011. Continue reading »