TREIA was fortunate to have the opportunity to hear from Chairman Wellinghoff. In addition to addressing the differences on renewable energy policy between the FERC and the State of Texas and areas where each could learn from the other Chairman Wellinghoff discussed Demand Response technology and the Smart Grid.

Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) welcomed Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, (FERC) Chairman Jon Wellinghoff, who spoke at the latest in a long series of informative TREIA Policy Luncheons on November 10th, 2011. Lloyd Gosselink, Attorneys at Law hosted the luncheon and the Geothermal Electric Subcommittee of TREIA coordinated Chairman Wellinghoff’s visit to Austin.

FERC, Chairman Wellinghoff is highly experienced in state level policy with a focus on the development of Geothermal/Geo-pressure, Solar, Wind and Biomass energy. He has published articles on the electrification of our transportation system, using consumer loads to improve the efficiency of the electric system (known as Demand Response), and the integration of renewable energy into the electric grid.

Referring to the need for a power system that can deliver greater efficiency and lower costs, while delivering reliability and sustainability Chairman Wellinghoff discussed the convergence of energy, communication, transportation and building systems.  He talked about vehicle to grid (V2G) technology that would allow cars to become a resource to regulate grid variability and maintain grid balance during vehicle charging. The vehicle then becomes a source of income and lowers the cost of vehicle ownership.  He discussed Demand Response technology in trial stages in office buildings and homes enabling buildings to regulate power usage to meet individual needs while responding to grid demand.

Russel Smith, TREIA Executive Director said, “I was particularly interested in Chairman Wellinghoff’s strong support of state level renewable portfolio standards (RPS) as a primary means of developing markets. He speaks from experience, having authored Nevada’s 1997 25% by 2025 RPS, helped shape standards in six other states, and monitored RPS successes across the U.S.”  Smith continued, “This state’s RPS has resulted in over 10,000 megawatts of wind generation capacity. It included a modest 500 megawatt non-wind target focused on spurring solar, biomass, geothermal, and hydrokinetic installations which still awaits successful implementation at the Public Utility Commission.”

TREIA represents over 600 member companies, organizations, agencies and individuals providing products, services and information within Texas's growing renewable energy sector.  Founded in 1984, the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) is a key trade and advocacy organization headquartered in Austin, Texas. TREIA http://www.treia.org/ is the oldest renewable energy non-profit trade organization in Texas whose work promoting development of renewable resources and their wise use has spanned a quarter of a century.