Emerging technologies could reshape the way electricity is generated in the Pacific Northwest in the future, although major questions linger on their costs and timelines to commercial viability. Because these supply-side emerging technologies could play important roles in the future grid, the Council heard a briefing about three options at its February meeting in Portland.

The threat of invasive species continues to loom large in the Columbia River Basin, with the potential to significantly disrupt ecosystems and infrastructure. Ahead of National Invasives Species Awareness Week (February 23-27), the Council heard from a panel of regional experts on existing and emerging species of concern.

Power Division staff are using a suite of advanced, innovative computer modeling tools as well as statistical methods to glean insights, test, and analyze future potential buildouts of the Northwest’s electricity grid over the next two decades. At February’s Council meeting, staff provided a primer on their modeling tools and statistical methods, as well as the type of data that will be available once modeling is completed this spring.

A building design standard for data centers in the Pacific Northwest could reduce peak energy consumption in their electrical and mechanical systems by one-fifth, the Council heard during a panel discussion at its January meeting in Portland. Additionally, panelists discussed programs allowing data center companies whose projects agree to load-flexibility requirements and other standards to speed through grid planning processes and get interconnected sooner.