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| Stephen Conant, Senior Vice President for Project Development, Anbaric Transmission, a speaker at the marcus evans Transmission & Distribution Summit 2012, discusses the key conditions needed for attaining low cost and reliable power delivery. |
NEW YORK, N.Y., Oct 3, 2012 - (ACN Newswire) - "There are substantial renewable energy sources in northeastern US and eastern Canada, but to get them to market, new transmission infrastructure must be built to satisfy demand driven by public policy," says Stephen Conant, Senior Vice President for Project Development, Anbaric Transmission. Private market investors can be approached to support these projects, he adds.
A speaker at the marcus evans Transmission & Distribution Summit 2012, in Dallas, Texas, November 12-14, Conant suggests that the industry should make evaluations for the long term and let those create the projects to be put in place.
- How can transmission companies meet the renewable portfolio and other policy standards in the New England states?
There are substantial renewable energy sources in northeastern US and eastern Canada but to get them to market new transmission infrastructure must be built to satisfy demand driven by public policy. Policies can be met by having private market investors support these projects if long-term contracts are made available. In New England there is not one customer large enough to sign long-term contracts at the scale needed to construct transmission, so the states are developing a joint procurement to meet common public policy objectives.
Stricter environmental regulations, as well as low natural gas prices are pushing coal plants toward closure. Consequently, natural gas is becoming the dominant electric fuel in New England. This creates concern about the vulnerability of the grid to the loss of gas supply. Hence, government policy and action to build transmission to address the need for fuel diversity and price stability is needed now before a crisis pushes them to act.
- What are the key conditions for attaining low cost and reliable power delivery?
Market competition drives down price, but if price is the only factor, we run the risk of one fuel source dominating the market. In this case intervention into the market may be needed to ensure that low cost is not driving the industry into a more volatile state. Development of renewable energy that often is located away from load and needs new transmission to bring it to market, but long-term contracts are needed. Independent transmission developers can compete to bring low transmission prices and ensure reliability by responding to competitively bid on projects.
- What cost allocation suggestions could you give to transmission companies?
Everyone benefits from having reliable and low priced electricity therefore, cost should be allocated accordingly to transmission companies, incumbent or non-incumbent, that provide that benefit. This is especially true to projects that meet public policy criteria or provide for market efficiency.
- Is there any further advice you would like to share?
We need government policies that support a long-term view for US based fuel supplies and reliable transmission. The US electric industry has a crisis-driven history, since the great north-east blackout of November 9, 1965. The stakes are now higher and global in scale. Energy efficiency, conservation, a diversity of fuels supply, and a reliable transmission grid are essential to meeting our 21st century challenges. Low price cannot be the only driving factor.
About the Transmission & Distribution Summit 2012
This unique forum will take place at The Westin Stonebriar, Dallas, Texas, November 12-14, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on transmission development, electric utility systems maintenance methodology and how to efficiently manage a critical infrastructure audit. For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at www.t-dsummit.com/StephenConantInterview.
The Energy Network - marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.
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Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.
Contact:
Maria Gregoriou
Journalist, marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: +357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com
Topic: Research / Industry Report
Source: marcus evans Summits
Sectors: Daily Finance, Daily News
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