(September 9, 2009) - Texas industry-research institution partnership in Texas is proposing a regional demonstration project aimed at better integrating the vast Texas wind energy resources into the state's electric transmission, distribution and metering system.
The Center for the Commercialization of Electric Technologies (CCET) is leading a coalition of Texas electricity market participants in applying for a $13.5 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to fund half of a $27 million set of projects to demonstrate Texas' continued national leadership in wind integration. Southwest Research Institution, an independent, nonprofit applied research and development organization and CCET member will guide the overall management of the project.
CCET is an association of Texas electric utilities, competitive retail electric providers, high-technology companies and educational and research institutions working together to enhance the security, reliability and efficiency of the electric infrastructure in Texas through research, development, demonstration and commercialization of advanced technologies.
CCET has proposed a unique set of projects that will:
- Enhance use of Synchrophasor measurement to monitor conditions of the Texas transmission backbone;
- Enhance real-time use of direct load control allowed by the advanced meter information collected by the Texas leading transmission and distribution utilities; and
- Develop the model for electric distribution system behavior under a model “future community” project that includes central system solar and storage, distributed generation and distributed storage, customer-centric energy controls, and homes with extraordinarily efficient building envelopes.
“CCET and individual members are working to advance technological innovation in the electric energy industry. Federal funding will help expedite plans of the Texas Public Utility Commission and the Texas Legislature, which laid out guidelines for an advanced metering system and renewable portfolio standard several years ago,” said CCET Chairman Paul Hudson. Texas is the nation's leader in developing renewable wind energy to generate electricity.
Dr. Milton Holloway, CCET president and chief operating officer, said “The project presents a unique opportunity for industry and state leaders to gain insight into what actions produce the most benefits during peak periods and during wind events that challenge grid reliability.
"Texas leading electricity market participants are deploying state-of-the-art technologies such as PMU units, advanced meters and information networks and the planning for remote load control to ensure that wind energy is used to its greatest advantage," said Dr. Holloway.
CCET's leadership on the proposal ensures broad stakeholder participation and represents a unique partnership between traditional electric market participants, research institutions and technology companies.
The Center for the Commercialization of Electric Technologies was created in 2005 by the electric industry and technology companies. CCET is made up of 22 Texas electric and high tech companies and five universities in a collaborative effort to modernize the Texas electric system. CCET's purpose is to encourage private sector initiatives that promote growth in high-quality employment, as well as scientific breakthroughs in the operation of the Texas electric system. CCET's objective is to develop and capture the benefits of advancing technologies in electric energy transmission, distribution and end use by bringing together the extensive existing facilities and technical capabilities of electric utilities, high technology leaders, and Texas universities and research entities.
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