Imperial Valley and Tehachapi Implementation Groups, Pier Final Project Report

Download Main Report
(PDF file, 99 pages, 578 kb)

Publication Number: CEC-500-2010-012
Publication Date: February 2011

 

Report Appendices

Appendices, (PDF file, 1,789 pages, 22.5 megabytes)

Abstract

California has adopted policies to expand significantly the use of renewable energy resources for electric generation. Renewable resource areas are often located remote from the existing high voltage transmission system, necessitating construction of major new transmission facilities to interconnect renewable generators and to expand capacity of the existing grid in the region. Here the authors report activities undertaken by the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies to facilitate planning activities for two of California's major renewable energy resource zones.

The Tehachapi Wind Resource Area located east of Bakersfield has generation potential estimated in excess of 4,500 megawatts (MW). The Imperial Valley, centered around the Salton Sea east of San Diego, is believed to have geothermal potential in excess of 2,000 MW in addition to a large solar energy resource.

The authors facilitated a process involving investor-owned and publicly owned utilities, state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders to plan needed transmission facilities and address many related issues. The resulting transmission plans of service to access renewable energy in Tehachapi and Imperial Valley have been approved by the California Independent System Operator, eleven applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity have been approved by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Keywords: Electric transmission, transmission planning, renewable energy, wind power, solar, Tehachapi, Imperial Valley, Sunrise Powerlink, Green Path, CEERT, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) Southern California Edison (SCE), Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Imperial Irrigation District (IID)