USA, California:

California Energy Commission Confirms Calpine Grant to Study Flexibility Enhancements at The Geysers

The California Energy Commission (CEC) today agreed to a resolution approving Agreement EPC-14-002 with Geysers Power Company LLC (The Geysers) for a $3,000,000 grant to investigate the methods, risks and costs associated with flexibly operating the Geysers geothermal plants to facilitate the integration of other intermittent renewable resources onto the grid in support of California's energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Calpine will match the grant award, which will fund a study to investigate how generation at The Geysers may be modified to enhance flexibility and address the greater demands imposed on the grid by intermittent renewables.

The CEC solicited grant proposals to help “fund applied research and development projects that develop emerging utility scale renewable energy generation technologies and strategies to improve power plant performance, reduce costs, and expand the resource base.” The funding is contingent upon approval at a public business meeting of the CEC in November and execution of a grant agreement. The solicitation comes from funds awarded by the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program, an electricity ratepayer surcharge established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in December 2011. The EPIC funds clean energy technology projects that promote greater electricity reliability, lower costs and increased safety.