Use of regional resource forecasts

This paper illustrates the use of a regional resource forecast model in conjunction with powerflow and security constrained economic dispatch models as part of the planning process required for developing economic transmission projects. The use of these models as part of an integrated process for transmission planning specifically focusing on the development of economic transmission project is new. To illustrate the integrated process, the analysis performed to identify economic transmission requirements associated with the DOE Eastern Wind Integration and Transmission Study (EWITS) that is being conducted to identify and address large scale wind generation integration issues including the need for transmission expansion, will be discussed. The integrated process described in this paper conforms to the combined reliability and economic process used to develop the 2008 Midwest ISO Transmission Expansion Plan.