In this issue
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UWIG News
2011 Forecasting Workshop Draws Near
For the fourth year in a row, UWIG is conducting a workshop on Variable Generation Forecasting Applications to Utility Planning and Operations. This multi-day workshop will be held at the Crowne Plaza Albany February 23-24, 2011. The workshop, which traditionally has focused on wind forecasting, will feature a session devoted to solar power production forecasting.
Additional details on this event, which will conclude with an optional tour of the New York Independent System Operator on February 25, can be found on the UWIG web site..
Registration is open to employees of UWIG member organizations and invited guests. Requests for the registration link should be sent to sandy@uwig.org. Please note that the Crowne Plaza Albany cannot accept hotel reservations for the evening of February 24. Information on an alternate hotel for that night can be found on the meeting information page.
Application Deadline for UWIG Academic Scholarships Extended to February 4
UWIG has opened the 2011-2012 application cycle for its scholarship program for students working towards careers in the electric power and wind industries. Up to three scholarships may be awarded for this cycle. One to two $2,000 scholarships will be granted to students enrolled in accredited engineering schools that are pursuing a career in power engineering with a focus on or major in wind generation, and one $1,000 scholarship will be granted to a student enrolled in an accredited wind technician program. The schools must be in the United States or Canada. The UWIG Board will determine the winner of each scholarship based on grade point average and a short essay explaining why the student is pursuing a career related to wind generation.
The recipients of these scholarships will be recognized at UWIG’s Annual Membership Meeting next April. The application cycle ends February 4 (deadline extended a week from the original one of January 28). Application instructions and the application form are posted on the UWIG web site.
For more information, send e-mail to info@uwig.org.
Spring Technical Workshop and Annual Meeting to be Held in Kansas City
The 2011 Spring Technical Workshop and Annual Meeting will be held April 13-15 at the Crowne Plaza Kansas City (Mo.) Downtown. The schedule of events includes meetings of the UWIG User Groups, the 2011 UWIG Membership Meeting and Board of Directors election on April 15 and a reception featuring the presentation of the UWIG Annual Achievement Awards on April 14.
The Operating Impacts and Integration Study, Solar Integration, Market Operations and Transmission Policy, and Wind Turbine Modeling and Interconnection Study Users Groups will all meet at the Crowne Plaza on April 13. The Wind Turbine Operations & Maintenance Users Group will meet at the Hilton President April 12-13 (see next story).
UWIG is partnering with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to host a workshop on the work of NERC’s Integration of Variable Generation Task Force. The workshop will be held April 12 at the Crowne Plaza.
Additional information on accommodations, agenda, and registration will be posted on the UWIG web site. The group block at the Crowne Plaza expires March 25.
Turbine O&M Group to Meet in Kansas City
The UWIG Turbine Operations & Maintenance Users Group will hold its next meeting April 12-13 at the Hilton President Hotel in Kansas City This event is the seventh meeting under this user group’s new scope, membership requirements, and participation limitations. The morning of April 12 will consist of a Plenary Session open to user group members and interested parties from UWIG member organizations. The Plenary Session at this meeting will focus on end of warranty issues for wind turbines, with an eye towards preparing attendees for this situation and the various steps that need to be taken and decisions that need to be made.
The afternoon of April 12 will be devoted to meetings of the GE and Vestas Roundtables with the morning of April 13 devoted to meetings of the Siemens and Clipper Roundtables. Discussions are underway to schedule a Gamesa/Mitsubishi Roundtable meeting at this event. These manufacturer-specific Roundtable Forums are for turbine owner/operators only. They provide the opportunity for frank and open discussion among users, who will share their information, knowledge and experience. A networking reception will take place the evening of April 12. For information on participation eligibility requirements, please contact Sandy Smith, sandy@uwig.org. Note that the room block at the Hilton expires March 19.
Remainder of 2011 Meeting Schedule Firming Up
UWIG is partnering with Energinet.dk to present a special topical workshop on Market Design and Operation with Variable Renewables, June 22-23, 2011 in Fredericia, Denmark.
The Fall Technical Workshop will take place October 11-14 on Maui, Hawaii. The events will kick off with a workshop focusing on solar integration on October 11 and end with the Fall Technical Workshop on October 13-14.
More details on all of these events will be posted on the UWIG web site.UWIG Helps Organize Wind Tutorial at IEEE Power Systems Conference
UWIG has partnered with the IEEE Power and Energy Society to organize the tutorial Fundamentals of Wind Energy to be presented March 23 at the IEEE PES Power Systems Conference March 20-23 in Phoenix, Ariz. This tutorial will provide an introduction to the basic considerations associated with planning and operating a power system with wind power plants. Additional information can be found on the conference web site.
UWIG Co-sponsors International Wind Integration WorkshopUWIG will co-sponsor the 10th International Workshop on Large-Scale Integration of Wind Power into Power Systems as well as on Transmission Networks for Offshore Wind Farms. The event will be held October 25-26 in Aarhus Denmark. This workshop provides an international forum to:
A call for papers has been released with abstracts due by May 22. For more information, please visit http://www.windintegrationworkshop.org.
UWIG Membership Benefit Spotlight - Getting Connected
UWIG publishes a monthly newsletter for its members. Connected, which was recognized in 2008 for editorial excellence, features articles about UWIG activities and events as well as developments related to wind and solar generation interconnection, integration, and plant operation. Although the bulk of its editorial focus is on the United States, topics related to wind and solar generation in Canada, Europe, Asia, and other regions are also covered.
The newsletter is sent to employees of UWIG member organizations as well as key stakeholders. For more information, or to see about receiving Connected, please send e-mail to sandy@uwig.org.
Industry Events
UWIG maintains a calendar of events focusing on wind, renewable energy, and electric power topics. It can be found on the UWIG web site.
UWIG Board of Directors
Henry Durrwachter, Luminant – President
Steve Beuning, Xcel Energy - Vice President
Gary Thompson, Nebraska Public Power District – Secretary
Brent Petrie, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative – Treasurer
Jay Caspary, Southwest Power Pool
Kevin Gaden, Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska/NMPP Energy
Richard O’Conor, We Energies
Dale Osborn, Midwest Independent System Operator
Ron Rebenitsch, Basin Electric Power Cooperative
Brad Reeve, Kotzebue Electric Association Inc.
Brian Skeahan, Cowlitz Public Utility District
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