RegionalTransmission

Corridors

Energy Summit 2010Ports-to-Plains AllianceBroomfield, COApril 9, 2010

Energy Summit 2010Ports-to-Plains AllianceBroomfield, COApril 9, 2010

TopicsToday’s Transmission SystemRenewable EnergyTransmission Planning

Proposed ProjectsConceptual Plans

Issues to Address

Tri-State G&T

Tri-State is a member owned, not-for-profit, generation and transmission cooperative

44 member owners across Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska and New MexicoOur Members serve a population of 1.4 million

Tri-State owns 5,300 miles of HV transmissionAnother 1,300 miles planned over the next 10 years

Tri-State has revamped its interconnection process to expedite the connection of new generation to its system

Tri-State G&T Members

Port-to-Plains—NERC

7

Reno-Alturas

COI

NW to Idaho

West of MCNary

Cross Cascades South

Cross Cascades North

North of John Day

North of Hanford

West ofHatwai

Northwest to Canada

PDCI

Monroe-Echo Lake

Paul-Raver

Paul-Allston

Allston-Keeler

Montana to NW

West of Broadview

West of Colstrip

Midway-Los Banos

Idaho-Sierra

Borah West

Idaho-Montana

Bridger WestPath C

Southwest of Four CornersNorthern-Southern

California

IPP DC

Intermountain-Mona

TOT 1A

TOT 2A

Bonanza West

TOT 2C

TOT 3

TOT 4ATOT 4B

TOT 5

SDG&E-Comision Federal de Electicidad

WOR

EOR

Cholla-Pinnacle Peak

Montana Southease

Western InterconnectTransmission PathsAlberta to BC

NOTE: For clarity, not all WECC Rated Paths are shown.

Southwest Power Pool Transmission

Another Way To Look At It

WinterPeak Load

Spring/FallLoad Valleys

Summer Peak Load

Data: 08/2003 to 08/2004

Utilization Dictates Transmission Rates(HPX)

$-

$5

$10

$15

$20

$25

30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

EFFE

CTI

VE $

/MW

H R

AT

NM-AZ @ $5.00/kW-moCO-NM @ $4.00/kW-moWY-CO @ $3.25/kW-mo

RENEWABLES-ONLY MIX OF RESOURCES

TRANSMISSION LINE UTILIATION

TRA

NS

MIS

SIO

N R

ATE

$/M

Wh

How to Improve Transmission Utilization• Geographic Diversity (wind in multiple locations)• Blending wind with solar and other renewables• Use of gas-fired generation for “firming” and meeting load

Transmission Segments

Largely comprised of existing transmission corridors~100 segments identifiedSuitability for siting or path rating not assessedLinkage between WREZs (~60) and Loads Zones (20)

RUPERT

ENDAKO

WILLISTON

GORDON M SHRUM

TUMBLER

PORT MCNEIL

INDEGLOW

NEW 53

NICOLA

GOLDSTREAM

SELKIRK

JANET

KELLY LAKE

NEW56

NEW42

WEST BROOKS EMPRESS

RED DEER

BIG KNIFE CREEK

MONROE

OLYMPIA

TROUTDALE

JOHN DAY

SACAJAWEA

CALGARY

BELL

NEW92

GARRISON

NEW39

NEW93

HAVRE

CONRAD

BRADY

MIDPOINT

NEW 19

BOISE

OXBOW

NEW 15

SUMMER LAKE

CAPT JACK

MIRACLE MILE

MIDWAY

MONA

CASPER NORTH

YELLOWCAKE

NEW 35

LARAMIE RIVER

ARCHER

AULT STERLI

PAWNEE

NEW

LAMAR

NEW

MONTROSEPONCHA

SAN LUIS

WEST CEDAR

ELY

TRACY

NEW 12

NEW 10

NEW 9

MEADNEW 11

ANTELOPE

SERRANO

PISGAH

DEVERS MOUNTAIN

BLYTHE

ALAMORIO

BELLOTA

VACA DIXON

HARQUAHALA

LUNAHILDAGO

WESTWING

SANTA ROSAGREENLEE

CHOLLA

CUDEI

FOUR CORNERS

RIO PUERCO

NEW 28

TOME

NEW 26

CALIENTE

ARROYOCPO

SN FELIPE

TORTOLITA

LOS COCHES

BETHEL

BROADVIEW

WREZ Transmission Segments sub-group chaired by Andy Leoni of Tri-State Generation & Transmission

State Government Interest

Western Governors AssociationColorado Energy Development AuthorityNew Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission AuthorityWyoming Infrastructure AuthorityNebraska—Wind for Export LegislationUpper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative (IA, MN,ND, SD, WI)Texas-CREZ

Local Market versus Export Market

Estimated wind energy potential exceeds local needs.NREL estimate of Ports-to-Plains states: 5 to 9 million MWUS installed generating capacity 2008 (all fuels) 1.1 million MW

Everyone wants to export to either California or southeastStates are trying to be first to market:

Competing with each other for economic development opportunitiesWant to change transmission planning philosophy to focus on wind export in addition to reliability

Export scenarios will put tremendous stress on existing transmission built primarily to serve local load.Electric system stability will limit installed wind generation installation to a fraction of the theoretical capability.

Gateway West—Idaho power and Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp)

SunZia Southwest Transmission Project

Tres Amigas

SPP Expansion Plan

National Grid “Overlay” Concept

The “Battleground” Issues

Who pays (cost allocation)? Customers, generators, utilities, or taxpayersShould local customers/utilities pay for export lines?

States Rights vs. National/Regional/Customer InterestsPermitting, siting, and economic developmentInterstate commerce

Who Plans, Owns & Manages the Grid?Planning Issues

Oversizing Transmission for Optimized Land Use & Economies of ScaleNational Grid OverlayGreen Transmission Lines