News
LCG, April 17, 2025--The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and its Regional Entities today issued a joint staff report concluding that the nation’s Bulk-Power System (BPS) "performed well during successive cold weather events in January 2025, without major issues in either the natural gas or electric systems."
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LCG, April 15, 2025--Matrix Renewables announced today the successful commissioning of the Pleasant Valley Solar 1 power generation facility in Ada County, Idaho. The 200-MWac solar facility includes a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that was secured through negotiation with Meta and Idaho Power. Matrix Renewables states the facility is the largest operational solar facility in Idaho Power's system. Sundt Renewables, the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services provider, completed construction of the project on March 2nd.
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Industry News
Minnesota Power Moves Forward with Biomass Initiative
LCG, April 18, 2007--Minnesota Power announced earlier this week its plans to develop biomass resources as a key element to providing clean, renewable, "carbon-friendly" electricity to serve its customers. The plans are part of its "Biomass Initiative," a long-term energy plan that includes the evaluation and screening of a variety of biomass projects. Primary biomass feedstocks include wood waste and forestry residues.
The screening process included a number of factors, and those feasible projects with the best economics have now advanced to become finalists in the process. The short list includes the construction of 50-MW biomass fueled unit at Minnesota Power's Laskin Energy Center in Hoyt Lakes, and consuming biomass fuel at existing Minnesota Power facilities; and developing projects at customer sites which provide process improvements and generation additions.
Minnesota Power will work with other entities to further define the top projects, including the development of the biomass supply plan necessary to support the fuel requirements of the projects. The final plans will be submitted by Minnesota Power to the State as part of the company's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) later this year.
In February, Minnesota Governor Pawlenty signed legislation that requires electric utilities, including municipal power entities, to use renewable energy to supply 25% of retail electric sales to customers in Minnesota by the year 2025. The new law includes renewable supply goals for most utilities of 7% by 2010, 12% by 2012, 17% by 2016 and 20% by 2020. The largest electric utility, Xcel Energy Inc., has a higher goal of 30% by 2020.
Renewable supply resources include wind, hydroelectric, solar, biomass and hydrogen. Wind energy is specifically targeted to account for one quarter of the renewable supplies utilized.
The new law includes provisions to develop a renewable energy credit trading system that would allow utilities to trade in order to achieve renewable goals. Financial penalties may be assessed if goals are not met.
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UPLAN-NPM
The Locational Marginal Price Model (LMP) Network Power Model
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UPLAN-ACE
Day Ahead and Real Time Market Simulation
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UPLAN-G
The Gas Procurement and Competitive Analysis System
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PLATO
Database of Plants, Loads, Assets, Transmission...
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