UWIG to Honor Three for Contributions to Understanding and Growth of Wind Power

Reston, Va. – March 22, 2006 – The Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG) announced today that Ken Donohoo, manager of transmission services at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Abraham Ellis, senior transmission planning engineer for Public Service Company of New Mexico and Rob Rebenitsch, marketing manager for Basin Electric Power Cooperative, will be the 2006 recipients of its Annual Achievement Award.

The nomination for the award notes that Donohoo has made "substantial contributions to the development of more accurate computer models of wind turbines for use in planning and reliability studies," while Ellis is "a strong supporter of expanding the knowledge base dealing with wind interconnection and integration issues, and is a problem solver who likes to get the job done." Rebenitsch's nomination states that he "is a recognized leader of wind energy development in the Upper Midwest," and "through his efforts, Basin Electric was the first Cooperative to utilize Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Loan funds for the acquisition of Wind Energy."

UWIG President Henry Durrwachter will present the award to Donohoo, Ellis and Rebenitsch at a reception during UWIG’s annual meeting Thursday, April 6, in Washington, D.C.

According to Durrwachter, the award recognizes Donohoo's more than 25 years of dedication to the industry and his efforts in improving wind plant modeling: "Through Ken’s efforts, ERCOT has provided funds for the development of more accurate and detailed models of the electric characteristics for the various types of wind turbines in service in the ERCOT system. These models are now available for use by all UWIG members in planning studies. Ken's work also led to the creation of the UWIG Wind Plant Modeling and Interconnection User Group."

Durrwachter said that Ellis: "initiated and remains the driving force behind an investigation into the feasibility of developing a set of generic models for the major classes of wind turbines. This activity has become engaged internationally with model development and verification efforts, and is leading the way in exploring the development of a new generation of models which can be used for a broad range of interconnection studies."

Durrwachter noted Rebenitsch's willingness to share Basin Electric's experience with wind with others: "Ron has always been generous with his time to provide technical information for utilities about the issues of integrating wind energy appropriately. His efforts have helped pave the way for Basin Electric Power Cooperative and the wind industry."

The UWIG annual meeting will be held April 6-7 at the Radisson Hotel Reagan National in Washington, D.C. UWIG members, as well as nonmembers, are welcome to attend.

The Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG) was established in 1989 to provide a forum for the critical analysis of wind technology for utility applications and to serve as a source of credible information on the status of wind technology and deployment. The group’s mission is to accelerate the appropriate integration of wind power for utility applications through the coordinated efforts and actions of its members, in collaboration with The U.S. Department of Energy, its National Renewable Energy Laboratory and utility research organizations. UWIG's membership spans investor-owned, public power, and rural electric cooperative utilities; transmission system operators; and associate member corporate, government, and academic organizations.