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California ISO Accepts Tariff Revisions for 'Grid Reliability'

Sept. 7, 2016
Renewable resources will adjust their system controls so that power voltages and currents remain in sync with grid operations.

The California Independent System Operator Board of Governors has accepted proposed tariff revisions that will ensure solar, wind and battery storage resources can provide needed grid services. In doing so, renewable resources will adjust their system controls so that power voltages and currents remain in sync with grid operations.

“California has a history of leading the nation in the integration of renewable resources. We are pleased to now take this next step in which clean power resources can contribute to the reliability of the grid,” said Steve Berberich, ISO President and CEO. “By providing reactive power, these resources are better suited to help us integrate increasing numbers of renewable resources.”

The proposed tariff revisions, which are required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), establish uniform rules for ensuring that new renewable resources, or resources that planned to be upgraded, take the steps to align alternating currents and voltages with grid requirements. This measure will help avoid energy inefficiencies and losses that occur when the grid and resources are not properly in sync.

The ISO will also submit these rules to the FERC for its review. During its August meeting, the board also authorized ISO management to pursue “reliability must-run” contracts with specific generation plants in 2017 to ensure the availability of adequate power supplies. In addition, the board accepted changes to market settlement rules to allow participants more time to review and dispute settlement invoices.

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