In response to regulatory, environmental and market incentives, the amount of distributed generation (DG) and Utility-Scale solar photovoltaic (PV) generation added to the electric utility grid has grown and is expected to continue to be robust. Until recently, electric utility planners and operators have been able to accommodate most of this new generation without significant impact or expansion of the electric grid. However, there is uncertainty as to how the variability of large-scale wind and PV generation profiles may strain the ability of the grid to integrate and economically and reliably deliver the power.
Navigant is now conducting analyses that will address timely and critical issues, including the amount of DG that can be added to the existing distribution grid without compromising reliability or system performance. The results of the distribution study were filed with the Nevada Commission on December 30, 2010, and it identified technical and economic impacts of small PV and small wind generation on NV Energy’s distribution system.