Integrating Renewable Energy into the Power Grid: national Policy and RTO Collaboration
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Authors
Kilkka, Marissa P.
Issue Date
2008
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Within this essay, a summer internship experience at American Electric Power is
discussed, followed by an exploration into the topic of renewable power in the energy industry.
The first section goes into detail about the company, the intern's experience in the Portfolio and
Margin Analysis Group, and her learning from that experience. She acquired a broad exposure
to a number of different topics in the utility industry, including renewable energy issues.
The second section of this essay seeks a means of balancing environmental friendliness
with the ·economics of the current energy system. In a time of increasing awareness of the harms
caused by carbon dioxide emissions, more and more businesses and individuals, including
American Electric Power, are looking for financially feasible ways to mitigate their emissions.
This essay explores the operations of the current U.S. power grid and the inherent obstacles to
utilizing more renewables and mitigating emissions within it, including public apathy, policy
deficiencies, transmission restraints, and cost redemption issues. It argues, first and foremost, for
an updated transmission system, so as to allow for. additional renewable power sources to
connect to the grid. After a sufficient transmission system is in place, it calls for a national
renewable portfolio standard combined with a renewable energy credit program. Finally, it
argues that the above mentioned policies are best administered through the existing Regional
Transmission Organizations across the United States. Using Texas as a case study, this essay
seeks to adjust and promote Texas' existing renewable energy system so as to make it feasible
nation-wide. A persuasive and··action-based essay, it concludes that any changes will need to be
precipitated by a public that is willing to shoulder the monetary burden of this pervasive
problem. Utilities, it argues, are willing to increase use of renewable power sources, but as in
any business, they need permission from their consumers to recoup the additional expenses.
Description
34 p.
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License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.