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CREPC Meeting. Ray Brush NorthWestern Energy April 20, 2005. Open Season. Typical Open Season Transmission Developer has Transmission Plan and seeks participants and/or parties to contract for capacity. Northwestern Open Season Interest in New Capacity in Montana- Southeast Idaho (AMPS).
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CREPC Meeting Ray Brush NorthWestern Energy April 20, 2005
Open Season • Typical Open Season • Transmission Developer has Transmission Plan and seeks participants and/or parties to contract for capacity. • Northwestern Open Season • Interest in New Capacity in Montana- Southeast Idaho (AMPS). • Develop transmission additions to provide service for new capacity. • Allows consideration of multiple needs in one study. • Within the current FERC Process for Transmission Service Requests. • If works out will expand to other paths.
Why Montana-Idaho Path (Path 18)? • RMATS Study • Recent RFPs for Resources (IPC and PAC-Utah) • SPP need for access to additional resources. • Resource development proposals in Montana. • Fewer Siting Issues • NWE’s Firm capacity in existing facilities fully committed.
NorthWestern’s Open Season Process • Expression of Interest (EOI) • Open Season Capacity Request period • Not require deposit • System Impact Studies at NWE’s expense. • Current requests considered. • System Impact Study Results • Facilities Study • Deposit Required to continue • Facility Study Results • Contract for New Capacity
Results to Date • EOI • 800 MW of new capacity • Open Season Capacity Request • About 2250 MW signed up for new capacity • System Impact Study • System Additions range from new 230 kV line up to a new 500 kV line.
Open Season Benefits • Brings generators/suppliers/load serving entities together • Allows “preview” of system impacts prior to significant financial commitment • Potentially eliminates “lumpiness” in transmission planning and construction (Ex. 200 MW expansion that no single party can commit to) • All parties cooperate, including the transmission provider, to solve regionwide problem of “what comes first, transmission or generation”
Questions and Comments