Stakeholder outreach | Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc

Stakeholder outreach

Tri-State is committed to an open, transparent, and meaningful transmission planning process and welcomes input from all stakeholders concerning Colorado transmission projects and the possible alternative solutions. Stakeholder meetings are held to provide information specifically related to Tri-State's transmission plans in Colorado and the Colorado PUC’s new Transmission Planning Rule 3627 and to allow stakeholders the opportunity to participate in Tri-State’s transmission planning process.

2020 IRP Public Process

Earlier this year Tri-State posted a notice regarding the postponement of public meetings related to its 2020 Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process in the interest of public safety due to COVID-19. Given that public safety issues due to COVID-19 are still of high concern, Tri-State has decided to utilize a virtual approach to receiving and responding to public input and concerns in regards to our 2020 IRP. The following information is meant to provide insight into Tri-State's 2020 IRP scenario focus as well as to identify a means for the public and Tri-State to interact.

Tri-State's 2020 IRP Scenario focus:

Tri-State is focusing its 2020 IRP on key uses that may have significant reliability, economic and/or environmental impact to Tri-State's Utility Member Systems. These issues are identified as follow:

Changes to Tri-State's load forecast driven by increased flexibility in how Tri-State Utility Member Systems serve their load
Changes to Tri-State's load forecast driven by Tri-State Utility Member System customer adoption of newer technology
Regulatory requirements throughout Tri-State's Member Service Territory including Renewable Portfolio Standards, Renewable Energy Standards and Greenhouse Gas Emissions reductions
Member Exit from Tri-State Membership

As part of Tri-State's overall IRP process, a Resource Planning Period (RPP) of 2021 to 2040 was chosen. Tri-State will run a base case along with various scenarios which will represent the impacts of the above items. The purpose of the base case and scenarios is to identify Tri-State's resource needs within the RPP and the most reliable, cost-effective way to fill that need.

The scenario process begins with an expansion planning tool that is used to identify the most reliable, cost-effective plan for a given scenario. From there the plan is dispatched in an hourly production cost model, and the results along with other financial data related to resources, including but not limited to transmission and generation build capital expenses, are sent to financial models to determine the final Present Value Revenue Requirement of each scenario. The final assessment of all scenarios will be based on a combination of dispatchability, diversity, environmental impacts and economic impacts to Tri-State's Utility Member Systems.

Tri-State considers both supply and demand side resources in regards to expansion planning. Both build and purchases options are considered. Generic resources are modeled as available throughout Tri-State's system to the extent technologically feasible. Generic resources available in the expansion planning process include:

Renewables - Wind and Solar
Energy Storage - Utility Scale Batteries and Pumped Storage
Gas Fueled Plants - Combustion Turbine, Combined Cycle, Reciprocating and Aeroderivative
Demand Side Management - Energy Efficiency and Demand Response

Capacity credit[1]

100% for thermal and energy storage resources
Solar resources begin with a 35% capacity credit in 2021 and decline throughout the RPP
Wind resources begin with a 30% capacity credit in 2021 and decline slightly throughout the RPP

Key assumptions for all scenarios modeled include the following:

Tri-State May 2020 Spring Reset Power Forward Curve
Tri-State May 2020 Spring Reset Gas Forward Curve
Tri-State May 2020 Annual Long Term Load Forecast
Contracts are allowed to expire on their terms
Meet or exceed Renewable Energy/Portfolio Standards
Planned Coal Retirements
- Craig 1 12/31/2025
- Craig 2 9/30/2028
- Craig 3 12/31/2029

Other assumptions Vary by Scenario.

Public Inputs to Tri-State's 2020 IRP

Based on the above information and the Tri-State Summary posted here, we ask that interested parties provide input to Tri-State's 2020 IRP via email at resourceplanning@tristategt.org. This email inbox will be monitored by Tri-State Energy Resource staff from late July 2020 through the end of September 2020. During this period, Tri-State will post input received via this inbox including issues, questions or concerns from the public, along with any applicable responses on the Stakeholder Outreach page of Tri-State's website: https://www.tristate.coop/statekholder-outreach.

[1] Capacity credit values are based on a modified Effective Load Carrying Capability study completed by Black & Veatch for Tri-State in June 2020.

for existing and generic resources are as follows:

View the presentation here.

2019 ERP/IRP Update

On May 31, 2019, Tri-State filed a petition with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission requesting that the Commission issue an order extending the deadline for filing Tri-State’s next ERP from October 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020. Additionally, the petition included a request that the Commission issue an order opening a miscellaneous proceeding for the purpose of soliciting input and information concerning electric resource planning for wholesale electric cooperatives and rule proposals consistent with 40-2-134, C.R.S.

This petition was filed and these requests were made as a result of the recently passed Colorado legislation that will impact Tri-State’s Resource Planning processes, including the current ERP process. Tri-State will continue to update stakeholders about its current ERP process and timeline as it receives direction and guidance from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

Past meetings

Colorado Rule 3627 Stakeholder Outreach and FERC Order 890 Stakeholder Meeting

Meeting date and time: November 19, 2024; 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Tri-State’s Hub Thompson Conference Center; Webinar (Microsoft Teams)

Objectives: This meeting is intended to provide stakeholders another opportunity to participate in Tri-State’s transmission planning process. Much of the information has or will also be presented at Colorado Coordinated Planning Group (CCPG) meetings.

Stakeholders will be able to provide input in connection with Tri-State’s long-range transmission plans. Such input and relevant alternatives will be considered and included in the appropriate biennial transmission plans submitted to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission pursuant to Commission Rule 3627, as developed in partnership with the Colorado Coordinated Planning Group.

Webinar: Webinar information to be posted to the Westconnect calendar at www.westconnect.com.

Attendees
Meeting presentation slides
Meeting presentation video

Colorado Rule 3627 Stakeholder Outreach and FERC Order 890 Stakeholder Meeting

Meeting date and time: November 20, 2023; 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: Tri-State’s Hub Thompson Conference Center; Webinar (Microsoft Teams)

Objectives: This meeting is intended to provide stakeholders another opportunity to participate in Tri-State’s transmission planning process. Much of the information has or will also be presented at Colorado Coordinated Planning Group (CCPG) meetings.

Stakeholders will be able to provide input in connection with Tri-State’s long-range transmission plans. Such input and relevant alternatives will be considered and included in the appropriate biennial transmission plans submitted to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission pursuant to Commission Rule 3627, as developed in partnership with the Colorado Coordinated Planning Group.

Webinar: Webinar information to be posted to the Westconnect calendar at www.westconnect.com.

Attendees
Meeting presentation slides
Meeting presentation video