USA:

Warren Buffett's PacifiCorp Considers Joining California ISO (Utility Dive)

Expanded grid would include geothermal energy from Utah

PacifiCorp, the vertically-integrated Western utility owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc., is considering joining the grid operated by California Independent System Operator (CAISO).

PacifiCorp and CAISO have signed a memorandum of understanding indicating that the utility will study the feasibility of becoming a transmission-owning member of the California grid.

Bloomberg Business reports that joining the grid would see CAISO take operational control of PacifiCorp's 16,300 miles of transmission lines, expanding the grid operator's territory by nearly 40%.

If PacifiCorp does join the grid operator's system, it would fully open up the California energy market to PacifiCorp's generation, including large amounts of cheap renewables, principally wind and hydropower but also the Blundell 34-megawatt geothermal facility near Milford, Utah.

Read More.......