Do the rules of the nations electric grid discriminate against wind power?
The future mix of electric power generation sources in the United States is critically linked to the fate of climate legislation in Congress. But changes in the way the grid works — if they occur — hinge more on what happens at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, where a set of central policy issues are on the table. FERC has solicited comments (FERC docket RM10-11) into whether the grid’s current operating rules discriminate unduly against wind power, and if so, what should be done about it. The inquiry focuses on possible rule changes in how wind power forecasts are handled, how backup generation for wind is priced, and whether wind generation should be coordinated more widely across grid regions to dampen the impact of sudden wind shifts. The comments fill 2,800 pages, and the commission has set no timetable for taking action.
