California ISO Approves Two Changes on Renewable Energy

The Board of Governors of the California ISO has approved two essential changes that are likely to assist integrate renewable producing resources such as geothermal, solar and wind onto the energy grid efficiently and quickly. Even as the California State adds more renewable production, such resources will eventually replace traditional production. This transition promises considerable environmental benefits, however it also has challenges as renewable resources are generally situated in remote regions.

The first essential change involves a proposal that requires renewable resources to meet some of the exact performance standards that traditional generators need to meet. Such novel requirements help ensure intermittent resources to be more reliable for operations.

The second essential change modified the existing ISO grid planning procedure that facilitates transmission projects’ approval based only on the economic benefits or reliability they offer. The ISO revised grid planning procedure will assist California in a long way to achieve the goal of meeting its electricity requirements with 33% renewable power by 2020.

It is important to note that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has not yet approved these two policies.