NYISO to Host Public Forum on Transmission Congestion Study

RENSSELAER, NY (04/17/2012)(readMedia)-- On Monday, April 30, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) will host a forum to present the results of its most recent Congestion Assessment and Resource Integration Study (CARIS). The forum will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Peter A.A. Berle Conference Center at the NYISO's corporate headquarters in Rensselaer.

The CARIS study is an economic analysis of transmission congestion on the New York state bulk power system and the potential costs and benefits of relieving transmission congestion. Issued in March, the study was developed with extensive stakeholder input and is part of the NYISO's comprehensive planning process that addresses both economic and reliability issues affecting New York's electric system.

Transmission congestion results from physical limits on how much power the New York electric grid can reliably transfer. Congestion adds to the costs of electricity by limiting the ability of lower-cost power to be transmitted to consumers. Solutions to congestion may include building or upgrading transmission lines and related facilities, building a less expensive power generation source in closer proximity to an area needing supplies or employing measures to reduce demand.

The CARIS forum is designed to allow stakeholders and the general public an opportunity to ask questions regarding the study's methodology and findings.

The study identified the most congested parts of the New York state bulk power system based upon historic data as well as estimates of future congestion. Those areas include all or parts of the path from Oneida County through the Capital Region and south to Dutchess County. The CARIS process analyzed generic transmission, generation and demand response solutions in these regions that could ultimately yield savings for power consumers.

During the next phase of the CARIS process, developers are invited to propose specific transmission projects to address congestion on the New York bulk power system. The NYISO will perform a benefit/cost analysis for each specific proposed transmission project to assess eligibility for regulated cost recovery.

The full CARIS report and appendices are available for download from the NYISO website (www.nyiso.com).

The CARIS public forum is free of charge, however, space is limited. Registration must be received by Friday, April 27 to participate in person. The proceedings also will be available via the Web. Interested attendees can register online by clicking the "RSVP here" link on the NYISO Committee Calendar located http://www.nyiso.com/public/committees/calendar/index.jsp.