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October 7, 2011

ISO NE highlights electric grid challenges

By The Mainebiz News Staff

A report from ISO New England, the operator of Maine's electricity grid, found that the low price of natural gas, aging power plants and the increased development of renewable energy could threaten the reliability of electricity delivery over the next several years.

According to the report, the New England power grid needs additional capacity to handle spikes in demand for natural gas, an energy source becoming increasingly popular for both heat and electrical power, The Associated Press reported. Natural gas's low price has fueled increased demand, and without new gas pipelines, electricity generators could be unable to get the gas they need to generate power, ISO New England CEO Gordon van Welie told the news service. In addition, 25% of the region's generating capacity is older than 40 years, and either must be replaced or repaired at great cost to make them comply with new pollution controls. The increased development of wind and solar power is also a challenge for the region's grid, since integrating it and moving the power from remote areas to population centers pose problems.

ISO New England releases an updated plan for the grid, but Thursday's report included a more extensive look at the grid's future because "we think we're going to be facing some out-of-the-ordinary circumstances in the next 10 years," van Welie said.

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