Category – Energy

It’s been a colder winter for us in the Pacific Northwest, which has meant a healthy snowpack and a later runoff for now.

Intense heat waves and winter storms with extreme temperatures have underscored the need to strengthen the power system’s ability to withstand these stresses, in part through well-insulated homes and buildings.

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance briefed the Council on some promising technologies in energy efficiency, as the 2021 Power Plan includes strong recommendations for continued investments in emerging technologies.

Wholesale power markets in the West are a key factor to review annually to track the Council 's 2021 Power Plan, as well as helping utilities in their own price forecasts and providing avoided market emissions rate guidance for state agencies developing building codes.

Last week, the Council approved for release the 2027 Resource Adequacy Assessment, representing many months of work to ensure the power plan will provide “an adequate, efficient, economic and reliable power supply.”

An effort is underway to explore adding fast-acting energy storage into traditional hydroelectric units to improve response and stability, and to increase operational flexibility, particularly when integrating renewable power.

Fuel up on that leftover Halloween candy and join our Power Division at November meetings to learn more about the Council’s critical work on resource adequacy.

Last year, the Northwest saved 216 average megawatts of energy, which is slightly lower than the 223 average megawatts achieved in 2020, according to the Council’s recently released 2021 Regional Conservation Progress Report.

The Regional Technical Forum models how heating and cooling equipment performs in various climates as part of its work. Recent weather events in the region suggest that the past may no longer be a reliable predictor of the future.

With an ever-growing need to decarbonize the grid while providing reliable and affordable generation, offshore wind is receiving significant industry attention.