CargoAdmin, Bureaucrats, Moderators (CommentStreams), fileuploaders, Interface administrators, newuser, Push subscription managers, Suppressors, Administrators
5,230
edits
Western Area Power Administration (2020 Presidential transition): Difference between revisions
Western Area Power Administration (2020 Presidential transition) (view source)
Revision as of 22:02, 20 December 2024
, 20 December 2024Text replacement - "{{w or p|" to "{{W|"
(Extracted from files at Transition book#Department of Energy) |
m (Text replacement - "{{w or p|" to "{{W|") |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
[[File:depenergy.png|thumb|Seal of DOE]] | [[File:depenergy.png|thumb|Seal of DOE]] | ||
{{ | {{W| Western Area Power Administration}} (WAPA) contributes to a more economically competitive, environmentally responsive, secure and resilient U.S. energy infrastructure. A critical leader in the energy industry, WAPA is an integral asset to the Department’s mission and future vision of a vibrant, reliable, and responsible energy economy with its vast interconnected power system, expert staff, and strong relationships with utility customers and Federal and industry partners. | ||
WAPA operates and maintains one of 10 largest high-voltage electric transmission systems in the U.S. Mission activities include marketing power, controlling several balancing areas, and maintaining its 17,000-plus miles of high-voltage transmission lines across 1.5 million square miles in 15 central and western states. WAPA markets hydropower generated at 57 Federal hydroelectric dams to more than 700 customers each year, most of which are not-for-profit public utilities in rural America. | WAPA operates and maintains one of 10 largest high-voltage electric transmission systems in the U.S. Mission activities include marketing power, controlling several balancing areas, and maintaining its 17,000-plus miles of high-voltage transmission lines across 1.5 million square miles in 15 central and western states. WAPA markets hydropower generated at 57 Federal hydroelectric dams to more than 700 customers each year, most of which are not-for-profit public utilities in rural America. | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
WAPA was formed from functions previously carried out by the {{ | WAPA was formed from functions previously carried out by the {{W| Department of the Interior}}’s {{W| Bureau of Reclamation}} (BOR) and {{W| International Boundary Water Commission}} (IBWC) upon the creation of DOE in 1977. WAPA markets and delivers clean hydroelectric power from 57 hydropower plants owned and operated by the {{W| U.S. Army Corps of Engineers}} (Corps), BOR, and IBWC. The primary authorization for BOR and Corps dams is to provide flood control, irrigation, and navigation, among other functions; however, any power produced in excess of project pumping needs, is sold to repay the government’s investment in the projects (for example Hoover Dam). WAPA markets this power to customers in a manner that encourages the most widespread use at the lowest possible rates consistent with sound business principles. (Flood Control Act of 1944) | ||
One of WAPA’s greatest accomplishments occurred in 2009 when it was authorized by {{ | One of WAPA’s greatest accomplishments occurred in 2009 when it was authorized by {{W| Congress}} via the {{W| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act}} to borrow up to $3.25 billion from the {{W| U.S. Department of Treasury}} to support the development of projects that facilitate and optimize the delivery of reliable, affordable power generated by renewable energy resources. WAPA established the {{W| Transmission Infrastructure Program}} (TIP) to carry out and manage this authority and has already seen three projects successfully completed. WAPA’s headquarters office is located in Lakewood, Colorado, which is within its service territory, and its Administrator and CEO reports to the Assistant Secretary, {{W| Office of Electricity}}. | ||
== Functions == | == Functions == | ||
In compliance with {{ | In compliance with {{W| Reclamation Act of 1902}} and the {{W| Reclamation Project Act of 1939}}, WAPA’s mandated functions performed include: power marketing; providing transmission and ancillary services; building transmission lines; operating and maintaining transmission infrastructure; and providing energy system balance and delivery services. | ||
== Recent Organization Accomplishments == | == Recent Organization Accomplishments == | ||
=== Strategic Roadmap 2024 === | === Strategic Roadmap 2024 === | ||
The creation of the {{ | The creation of the {{W| Strategic Roadmap 2024}} applies WAPA’s historic mission to the dynamics of an evolving energy industry environment that includes a myriad of new regulations; a growing presence of interruptible and intermittent generation resources; and constraints on WAPA hydro resources. The roadmap ties together WAPA’s strategy, initiatives, capital budgets, and annual targets to enable the agency to continue to meet customer needs and provide the best value as an organization. It consists of four overarching goals (“Critical Pathways”) all aimed toward promoting WAPA’s mission. These Critical Pathways are: Business; Technology and Organizational Excellence; Mutually Beneficial Partnerships; Evolution of Services; and Powering and Energy Frontier. | ||
=== Asset Management === | === Asset Management === | ||
| Line 46: | Line 46: | ||
=== Continuous process improvement === | === Continuous process improvement === | ||
WAPA’s {{ | WAPA’s {{W| Continuous Process Improvement Program}} is based on the {{W| Lean Six Sigma}} process improvement methodology. This methodology focuses on improving customer service, efficiency, and effectiveness to support the lowest possible rates consistent with sound business practices. Since the program’s inception in March 2014, the program has resulted in more than $110 million in mostly cost avoidance. | ||
=== Expanding broadband access to rural America === | === Expanding broadband access to rural America === | ||
| Line 52: | Line 52: | ||
=== Transmission and Infrastructure Program === | === Transmission and Infrastructure Program === | ||
WAPA’s {{ | WAPA’s {{W| Transmission Infrastructure Program}} (TIP) leverages WAPA’s depth of transmission project development experience and expertise, along with its statutory borrowing authority, to advance projects aimed at expanding and modernizing the electric grid. | ||
TIP accomplishments: The {{ | TIP accomplishments: The {{W| Montana Alberta Tie Line}} (MATL) was the first TIP project, which was developed to deliver wind generation into the Alberta market. The project’s $161 million loan financing, primarily through construction, was repaid in August 2012. {{W| Electric District No. 5}} to {{W| Palo Verde Hub}} (ED5-PVH), was the second TIP project and was energized in January 2015 to renewable energy development in the Southwest. The TransWest Express development phase supported preliminary activities before construction of a potential 725-mile transmission line between Wyoming and the Southwest capable of carrying 3000 megawatts of energy. Development activities included environmental reviews, feasibility studies, and permitting requirements. TIP contributed $25 million to support the development phase and retains the ability to participate in the construction phase, if desired, in the future. To date, WAPA had advanced funding arrangements (AFA) with project developers to cover all costs associated with TIP- led technical and other development assistance for the following projects: AES Energy Storage, Ten West, TransWest Express, Southline, SunZia, and Westlands. | ||
Additionally, WAPA has Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) in place for the following projects: San Luis Transmission Project and Meade to Adelanto Transmission Upgrade. | Additionally, WAPA has Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) in place for the following projects: San Luis Transmission Project and Meade to Adelanto Transmission Upgrade. | ||
| Line 66: | Line 66: | ||
In addition, WAPA operates supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems in our control centers at Watertown, SD; Phoenix, AZ; Loveland, CO; and Folsom, CA. These systems provide critical grid monitoring and control functions, are connected via private networks to the substations in their respective regions, and as appropriate to neighboring utilities and business partners. | In addition, WAPA operates supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems in our control centers at Watertown, SD; Phoenix, AZ; Loveland, CO; and Folsom, CA. These systems provide critical grid monitoring and control functions, are connected via private networks to the substations in their respective regions, and as appropriate to neighboring utilities and business partners. | ||
WAPA’s Cybersecurity Program has been extremely validated through multiple audits and peer reviews by DOE, the {{ | WAPA’s Cybersecurity Program has been extremely validated through multiple audits and peer reviews by DOE, the {{W| North American Electric Reliability Corporation}} (NERC), and industry peer groups. WAPA continues to work with the intelligence community, the National Laboratories, and DOE’s {{W| Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response}} (CESER) to provide opportunities to improve critical infrastructure skills and awareness. | ||
=== Ten-Year Capital Plan === | === Ten-Year Capital Plan === | ||
| Line 83: | Line 83: | ||
== Critical Events and Action Items == | == Critical Events and Action Items == | ||
* '''January/March 2021.''' WAPA’s {{ | * '''January/March 2021.''' WAPA’s {{W| Desert Southwest Region}} plans to announce its decision on energy imbalance management in late 2020 or early 2021. WAPA’s {{W| Colorado River Storage Project}}, Rocky Mountain and Upper Great Plains–West will transition into the {{W| Southwest Power Pool Western Energy Imbalance Service}} in February 2021, and its Sierra Nevada Region will transition into {{W| California Independent System Operator Western Energy Imbalance Market}} in March 2021. In addition, WAPA’s plans to implement its Responsible Workplace Reentry plan to safely return some employees to the office in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in late January or early March 2021. WAPA also plans to provide interconnections in support of the Keystone XL project. The design, procurement, and/or construction award may occur during early 2021. WAPA will implement new reliability compliance standards, including: BAL-003.2, CIP- 008-6, PRC-006-3, PRC-012-2, PRC-027-1, PER-006-1, and TPL-007-4.<ref>DOE. (2021). Transitions 2020: Organization Overviews. US Department of Energy.</ref> | ||
== Organizational Chart == | == Organizational Chart == | ||