December 14, 2007RPG - CREZ Meeting

CREZ Transmission Optimization Study: Update

Warren LasherERCOT System Assessment

2RPG - CREZ Meeting

December 14, 2007

Designated Zones and Scenario Wind Levels

Capacity of New CREZ Wind by Scenario (MW)

Wind Zone Scen. 1

Scen. 2

Scen. 3

Scen. 4

Panhandle A 1,422 3,191 4,960 6,660

Panhandle B 1,067 2,393 3,720 0

McCamey 829 1,859 2,890 3,190

Central 1,358 3,047 4,735 5,615

Central West 474 1,063 1,651 2,051

Total* 12,053 18,456 24,859 24,419

* Assumes 6,903 MW of existing wind capacity

3RPG - CREZ Meeting

December 14, 2007

Overview of Power Flows – Scenario 2

DFW

SA

There are limitations on how much generation any one load center can absorb.

Too much power flow being directed to DFW can cause significant planning challenges.

5,600 MW

2,600 MW

10,300 MW

HGA

4RPG - CREZ Meeting

December 14, 2007

Overview of Alternate Power Flows

HGA

DFW

SA

One possible solution is to direct all power flows towards the southeast

5RPG - CREZ Meeting

December 14, 2007

Overview of Alternate Power Flows

HGA

DFW

SA

An alternative solution is to create a significant pathway through the core of ERCOT (shown in red)

6RPG - CREZ Meeting

December 14, 2007

Game Plan

ERCOT Planning is evaluating several different general concepts for transporting wind from CREZ generation to load centers.

Initial analysis has been conducted using Scenario 2 because this level of wind can be modeled in steady-state power flow models and in SCUC economic dispatch model.

We will be evaluating the differential performance of the solutions that are developed. Some solutions may be better suited to higher or lower scenarios.

Our intent is to develop each of these solutions to the point that each can be compared from an economic, steady-state, and transient stability context. Final solution for each scenario may contain aspects of several of these conceptual designs.

7RPG - CREZ Meeting

December 14, 2007

Solutions being considered include the following:1) Reconductoring existing circuits

2) Incremental 345-kV solution

3) Reduced number of right-of-ways using higher voltage circuits (500 kV and 765 kV)

4) Low Impedance Backbone for Wind Connections

5) Low Impedance loop circuits (around load centers and/or around wind generation zones)

6) HVDC Circuit(s) to move wind generation to load centers or to move power between load centers

7) Development of 2 west Texas transmission systems

Solutions

8RPG - CREZ Meeting

December 14, 2007

Solutions being considered include the following:2) Incremental 345-kV solution

4) Low Impedance Backbone for Wind Connections

Solutions

Advantages:1) Congestion between load centers in ERCOT is reduced (overall system benefit)2) Increased flexibility of connecting additional circuits from CREZ generation to load –

connect to nearest portion of backbone circuitDisadvantages:

1) Cost of low-impedance backbone2) Use of low-impedance backbone may require upgrades of underlying transmission

system in some areas

Advantages:1) Networked solution will lead to flexibility for generation siting2) New ROWs can be used to alleviate congestion on underlying circuits

Disadvantages:1) May lead to solution with numerous new ROWs2) May not provide much transmission expansion capacity3) A sufficient number of suitable connection points to load centers will need to be

identified

Questions or Comments?

10RPG - CREZ Meeting

December 14, 2007

HVDC Economic Modeling

There are two options for modeling HVDC lines in UPlan

1) Place a load at one end of the line, and a generator at the other end. Give each an predefined hourly pattern to reflect flows on the DC line.

• User can define power flows to match wind levels or to match operational limitations

• User can model losses on the line

2) Use the automatic modeling of a HVDC line in UPlan

• User defines the end points of the HVDC line and specifies the line rating

• UPlan will model the HVDC line as though there were loads and generators at each line terminus

11RPG - CREZ Meeting

December 14, 2007

UPlan HVDC ModelingOutput of Generator A will equal load A

Output of Generator B will equal load B

If Gen A ≠ 0 then Gen B = 0 and vice versa

Gen A and Gen B have zero cost; max output equals rating of line

Cost to serve loads A and B are defined by LMP algorithm

UPlan will select the output of Gen A (or Gen B) in every hour to minimize total production cost

A

A

B

B

12RPG - CREZ Meeting

December 14, 2007

Other Issues1) Distribution of models

2) Volunteers for evaluating or developing plans

1) 138 kV limiting pathways

2) Overall plans

3) Request for Project Locations

4) GE Wind Impact Study

5) Other RPG Issues

Feel free to contact me with questions or comments: wlasher@ercot.com or 512-248-6379.