The top chart is net generation from Maine independent gas-fired power producers, such as the Westbrook ( Calpine ), Rumford (  Emera ) and Veazie ( Casco Bay Energy,…

 Although we often hear how natural gas makes up 50% of electrical generation in Maine, EIA data reveals Maine's natural gas plants do not run anywhere near 100% of the time and, in fact, in-state hydro out-produced natural gas generation for 2013 and trends would indicate the same for…

Since 2008, the Maine PUC has approved 4 wind projects, 1 biomass project and 0 hydro projects for long term renewable energy contracts. This is getting old and is starting to smell akin to Alfond's abuse of power to aid wind during  the last legislative session.…

Above is the ISO-NE interconnection requests for proposed generation. Number 470/471 is a First Wind project under the name of King Pine Wind, Phase 1 & 2. 

Calendar/Real Audio/ Maine PUC

January 20, 2015

Deliberations

10:00 AM

Proposed MassDEP Clean Energy Standard (CES)

" Regulatory Arrogance "  Is there a chance of that in the halls of Augusta ?

Thank you, Lisa Linowes ....................https://www.masterresource.org/cape-wind-project-windpower/cape-wind-dead-forever/

     Would anyone from the legislature be willing to offer a bill to direct the PUC to determine if there is presently enough qualified Maine Class 1 Renewable Energy Credits ( REC )  accumulated to satisfy the 2017 goal of 10% new renewable in the State's electric portfolio, assuming a 2% growth in electricity consumption from 2015 to 2017 ?  If such a scenario is presently available, then the Maine Renewable Portfolio Standard should be retired two years early and the Maine Class 1 REC…

   This graphic depicts the several wind projects in place or looking for approval to build in Maine. Power Purchase Agreements with out of state utilities have provided collateral for financing.

    DEP/BEP approval is essentially a given for these projects.

    The Maine PUC is aware of the transmission constraints  these projects will encounter in trying to…

 Wind projects in New England receive such enormous payments for their generation, they will offer their output to the grid even when prices go negative. Clearly, when low or negative pricing occurs, the best course for the electric power providers is to reduce the production of energy. That's common sense, unless the power producer can be paid handsomely for products attached to their output, " the enhancers ."

Date: 11/11/2013

During 2013, ISO New England (ISO-NE), the region's independent system operator, continued to address a range of issues that impact wind power's access to and participation in the regional power market. These issues cover the integration of variable resources; the forward capacity market; bidding rules in ISO's energy market; and transmission congestion, planning, and cost allocation. Many of the topics are under active consideration, and depending on the outcome,…

 It won't be long before wind is setting some of the clearinghouse prices for electric supply in New England.

http://isonewswire.com/updates/2014/4/1/new-wind-power-forecast-integrated-into-iso-ne-processes-and.html

Another recently adopted change to ISO-NE energy market pricing rules will (pending FERC final approval) affect wind power projects. Today, intermittent generators like wind projects participating in ISO's energy markets can simply bid zero ($0 per MWh) and be assured of being selected and getting paid the real-time market clearing price, a practice referred to as being a "price taker." There are times, however, when the output of all projects acting as price takers would exceed the load. In…

http://blogs.platts.com/2013/11/22/ee-nov13/#more-13051

The Legislature finds that it is in the public interest to explore opportunities for and encourage the development, where appropriate, of wind energy production in the State in a manner that is consistent with all state and federal environmental standards and that achieves reliable, cost-effective, sustainable energy production on those sites in the State that will attract investment and permit the development of viable wind energy projects. The Legislature finds that the development of the…

Feb. 20, 2009 ISO-NE question to CMP about MPRP :

Q. What percentage of this Project, if any, can be attributed solely for generation

integration?

March 16,2009 CMP answer :

A. None. 100% of the project was developed and designed solely to address reliability

issues in the Maine transmission system. At ISO's request, CMP evaluated the ability

of MPRP to accommodate the addition of wind generation resources, but no portion of

the project was modified as a…

Webpage to the Maine's PUC report to the EUT committee.......http://www.maine.gov/mpuc/legislative/documents/Economics%20of%20Renewable%20Energy%20Policy.pdf

Maine may be even “ Greener “ than anyone realized. From the EIA website……………………………,

“Trade is highest in regions with large amounts of hydropower. Canadian hydroelectric generators are concentrated in the Pacific Northwest; in Northern Manitoba, which exports electricity via transmission lines running south through Minnesota and North Dakota; in Ontario bordering New York and Michigan; and in Quebec north of New England. Certain states rely heavily on imported electricity:…

Maine and Massachusetts have the greatest potential to grow their renewable capacity while Connecticut has the least.

To be “Green” in New England is a matter of law, not individual choice. With the exception of Vermont, every other New England State has a Renewable Portfolio Standard which mandates a certain percentage of electricity sold within the State will be derived from renewable sources. Each year, this percentage increases at 1% for all States, except Connecticut, which…

"Through its Maine Power Reliability Program, CMP is upgrading a swath of power lines through central Maine to connect to lines from Canada."  Excerpt from Sun Journal story :     http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2012/12/20/cmp-powers-larrabee-road-substation/1295931

This is the first I've heard of the connection to Canadian lines…