Western Regional Renewable Energy Markets

The purpose of this analysis is to provide the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with an overview of renewable energy (RE) generation markets, transmission planning efforts, and the ongoing role of the BLM RE projects in the electricity markets of the 11 states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) that comprise the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) Region. Specific objectives are to: Determine current levels of renewable energy generation in the WECC Generation; Provide an estimate of future demand based on requirements arising only from state renewable portfolio standards (RPS) existing as of June 2011. For purposes of this analysis, we assume there will be no new national or state-level legislation for clean energy policies; Develop an estimate of renewable generation that is under development; Estimate the current balance between planned supply (existing and projected projects) and projected demand from RPS requirements for renewable energy in the region; Assess how the planned renewable energy projects of DOI and the BLM fit within this broader market perspective; Provide an update on regional transmission planning efforts and assess the impact of these efforts on renewable energy development in general and the BLM renewable energy program in particular; Develop suggestions for increasing the strategic value of BLM projects and synergies across all federal lands. This analysis focuses on the status of, and projections for, likely development of nonhydroelectric renewable electricity from solar (including photovoltaic PV] and concentrating solar power CSP]), wind, biomass and geothermal resources in these states.