Wyoming Infrastructure Authority

Gestamp Worthington Wind Steel - Wind Tower Manufacturing Facility in Cheyenne:
Bob Jensen, CEO, Wyoming Business Council will discuss the Business Council’s efforts to attract new business to our State and will introduce John H. McConnell, Manager of Development, Worthington Industries; Josh Oakes, Wind Project Lead, Worthington Energy Group; and Dan Guerttman, Vice President, Granite Peak Development. John will provide an overview on Worthington’s emerging efforts in the energy market. Josh will update on the new turbine tower manufacturing facility to be located in the Swan Ranch Rail Park south of Cheyenne. Dan will provide an overview of the Swan Ranch.

Presentations:
John H. McConnell, Manager of Development, Worthington Industries; Josh Oakes, Wind Project Lead, Worthington Energy Group

Dan Guerttman, Vice President, Granite Peak Development (Map 1)
Dan Guerttman, Vice President, Granite Peak Development (Map 2)
Dan Guerttman, Vice President, Granite Peak Development (Map 3)

The True Cost of Integrating Renewable Energy on the Grid:
Later this morning, we’ll hear about the benefits of geographical diversity which, where present, mitigates the number of ramping events by wind and solar that requires dispatchable generation to address. Now that renewable energy has been integrated onto the grid in significant amounts in different areas of the West, the Industry is starting to quantify the impact of such integration. Brannin McBee, Energy Analyst, BENTEK Energy will provide some interesting results of a study recently conducted by BENTEK.

Presentation:
Brannin McBee, Energy Analyst, BENTEK Energy

An Examination of the Benefits of Geographical Diversity of Renewable Energy between WY and CA and other Market Areas:
Jonathan Naughton, Ph.D., Director, University of Wyoming’s Wind Energy Research Center has been commissioned by the WIA to examine the diversity of wind between Wyoming and California’s connected wind resources. In addition, Jonathan will report on the diversity between Wyoming and Colorado’s connected wind resources.

Presentation:
Jonathan Naughton, Ph.D., Director, University of Wyoming’s Wind Energy Research Center

The Value of Transmission as an Enabler to Aggregate Diverse Variable Renewable Resources: A Study Using MORE Power:
Randy Allis, Ph.D., Manager, Atmospheric Effects, Northrop Grumman Information Systems will provide an overview of MORE Power and show various examples of its use to support the renewable energy community, both solar and wind. These examples include the benefits of site diversity in maximizing useable power and minimizing ramping as well as the value of long distance transmission expansion as an enabler to aggregate wind power. MORE Power is a game changing and disruptive technology used to address quantitatively the inherent variability in natural resources such as wind and solar. This technology has been leveraged from a US government space to ground laser communications application developed by Randy’s group and applied to the renewable industry.

Presentation:
Randy Allis, Ph.D., Manager, Atmospheric Effects, Northrop Grumman Information Systems

Addressing the Variability of Wyoming Wind with Quick-Start Natural Gas-Fired Equipment, a Case Study:
Dennis Finn, General Sales Manager, Wärtsilä North America will provide approaches to firming 3,000 MW of Wyoming wind generation serving the marketplace.

Presentation:
Dennis Finn, General Sales Manager, Wärtsilä North America

Impact of Recent federal Regulations and Guidelines and other issues regarding the Permitting and Siting of Transmission & Generation:
A panel comprised of representatives from those companies which are on the front-lines of the permitting and siting process, Jennifer Rouda, Principal Transmission Planner, Ecology and Environmental Inc moderating. Each panel member will asked to provide a brief overview of their respective companies; their perspective on recent policy out of Washington DC including Wild Lands, Land-based generation development guidelines, Eagle guidelines and the Migratory Bird Protection Act; and some closing suggestions to both developers and state & federal agencies as to mitigating the cost and timing of the permitting process. Panel members include:

1) Randy Palmer, Principal & COO, EPG
2)  Steve Negri, Senior Wildlife Scientist, TetraTech
3) Ginger Melms, Sr. Project Manager, Terracon
4) Floyd Robertson, Project Manager, Ecology and Environmental Inc
5) Rick Harness, Certified Wildlife Biologist, EDM

RES Americas’ on Wind Energy and Transmission:
Jerry Vaninetti, Sr. VP, RES Americas will provide an overview of RES Americas and its perspective on the transmission-related aspects of renewable energy development, including interconnections, genties, merchant transmission, FERC policy reforms, and RTOs.

Presentation:
Jerry Vaninetti, Sr. VP, RES Americas

Bureau of Reclamation’s Report on Hydro Activity in Wyoming and the West:
Kerry McCalman, Acting Senior Advisor, Hydropower, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will present the results of a recent study which identifies 70 small hydro projects in the West for possible development. In addition, Kerry will address the recent Reclamation and DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement for development of small hydro and pumped storage.

Presentation:
Kerry McCalman, Acting Senior Advisor, Hydropower, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Pump Storage Development in Wyoming:
Matthew Shapiro, CEO, Gridflex Energy will present the results of a study combining Wheatland/Chugwater wind with a proposed pumped storage hydro facility and the resulting benefits, including creation of firm capacity wind, a home for off-peak power, and transmission savings.

Presentation:
Matthew Shapiro, CEO, Gridflex Energy