Board approves ISO strategic vision for increasing renewables

The Board of Governors of the California Independent System Operator (ISO) recently approved an update to its 2014-2016 strategic plan by adding a blueprint for dealing with challenges emerging in the energy industry, while further greenifying the grid.

The document, “Pursuing a Strategic Vision for a Sustainable Energy Future,” details changes on the horizon of the electricity landscape and ways the power grid operator can work to meet Governor Jerry Brown’s recent call for 50% of the state’s energy to come from renewable sources. The board recently approved the plan at its meeting at ISO’s Folsom headquarters.

“This strategic vision outlines how the ISO will respond to a rapidly changing electric system,” said Steve Berberich, ISO president and chief executive officer. “We will keep our focus on reducing carbon, lowering costs and working collaboratively for everyone’s benefit, while maintaining a reliable grid.”

Richard Maullin, Chair of the ISO Board, explained the vision statement was needed because of the rapid pace of change in the energy industry and the issues stemming from rising amounts of renewable energy integration into the power grid, including the growing occurrence of over-generation, or producing excess power at times of the day when it’s not needed.

“The strategic vision summarizes the opportunities and challenges facing California and the West in the ongoing transition to a low-carbon electric grid, through the integration of more renewable energy generation into our power mix,” he said. “The vision statement emphasizes strategies for matching supply with energy demand and coordinating usage to match energy production, and the benefits of enhanced regional cooperation for assuring grid reliability along with carbon reduction.”