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An IDACORP company
2006 Integrated Rg~pnf(e Plan
IPC-O6-
2006 Integrated Resource Plan
IDAHO
POU\IE R
An IDACORP Company
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Acknowledgement
Resource planning is a continuous process that Idaho
Power Company constantly works to improve. Idaho Power
prepares and publishes a resource plan every two years and
expects the experience gained over the next few years will
lead to modifications in the 20-year resource plan presented
in this document. Idaho Power invited outside participation
to help develop both the 2004 and 2006 Integrated
Resource Plans.
Idaho Power values the knowledgeable input, comments
and discussion provided by the Integrated Resource Plan
Advisory Council and the comments provided by other
concerned citizens and customers. Idaho Power looks
forward to continuing the resource planning process with
its customers and other interested parties.
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You can learn more about Idaho Power s resource planning
process at www.idahopower.com.
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Safe Harbor Statement
This document may contain forward-looking statements , and it is important to note that the future results
could differ materially from those discussed. A full discussion of the factors that could cause future results to
differ materially can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Printed on recycled paper
Idaho Power Company Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Tables.... .................. ..............
............... ......."... ...... ..................
"""'" .............. ........." ......."........... vi
List of Figures...... ........ ...................... .................
..... .............. ............................. ........ ......... ...........
..... ..... vii
List of Appendices................................................................................................................................... viii
Glossary of Terms................................................ ..................................................,................................... ix
1. 2006 Integrated Resource Plan Summary..............................................................................................
Introduction............................................................................................................................................
Potential Resource Portfolios..............................................................
;..................................................
Risk Management .........,......................................................................................,.................................
Near-Term Action Plan..........................................................................................................................
Renewable Resource Education, Research and Development............................ ............
.......... ............
Portfolio Composition.............................................................................................,..............................
IRP Methodology .........................................................."""""""""""""""""""""""""""".................
Public Policy Issues ........,........................................................................................................,.............
Environmental Attributes or Green Tags.........................................................................................
Emission Offsets .................,............................................................................,...............................
Financial Disincentives for DSM Programs.................................................................................... 8
IGCC Technology Risk....................................................................................................................
Asset Ownership ..........................................................................................,...................................
Idaho Power Company Today................................................................................................. ..,........ .
Customer and Load Growth........ ..........
............... ....... ...... ......, ....................... ...... ..... ............ ....,.... .....
Supply-Side Resources............... ............... ..............
.............................................................. ........... ...
Hydro Resources ...................................................................,........................................................
General Hells Canyon Complex Operations..................................................................................
Brownlee Reservoir Seasonal Operations.................................................................................... ..
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Relicensing Process..................................................... .
Environmental Analysis.................................................................................................................
Hydroelectric Relicensing Uncertainties.......................................................................................1 7
Baseload Thermal Resources .........................................................................................................1 7
Jim Bridger....................................................................................,..........................................
Valmy.......................................................................................................................................
Boardman.................................................................................................................................
Peaking Thermal Resources............................................................................................,..............
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page i
Table of Contents Idaho Power Company
Danskin ....,..............................................................................,................................................
Bennett Mountain....................................................................................,................................
Salmon Diesel...... ...... ............................................... .................. ..................
.............. ........... ..
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act........................................................................................ ...
Idaho Projects...........................................................................,...............................................
Oregon Projects.............................................."""""","""""""""""""""""""'"....................
Cogeneration and Small Power Producers (CSPP)................................................................ ..
Purchased Power ..... .................
.................................. ..... ..... ............. ....... ....... ..... ........ ......"........ ..
Transmission Interconnections .................................................,..........................................................
Description. .............. ........... .....
...... .... ........ ........ .......... ............... ... ... ..... .......................... ............ ..
Capacity and Constraints .......................,.......................................................................................
Brownlee-East Path .................................................................................................................
Oxbow-North Path ........................................,.........................................................................
Borah-West Path .....................................................................................................................
Northwest Path........ ................ .......
.......... ... ... ............. """"""'" ..... """"""""""" ...................
Midpoint-West Path """"""""""""""""""""'
"""""""".......................................................
Regional Transmission Organizations """"""""""""""""""""""""""""".................................
Off-System Purchases , Sales, and Load-Following Agreements ........................................................
Demand-Side Management. ........... .... ................
... ....... ........... ...... ............ ........ ........ ........... ..... ,...... ....
Overview of Program Performance .................................,.............................................................
Planning Period Forecasts..........................................................................................,.........................
Load Forecast............................................
:............................,.............................................................
Expected Load Forecast-Economic Impacts............................................................................... ..
Expected Load F orecast- Weather Impacts.................................................................................. ..
Micron Technology.............................................................................................................
............
Idaho National Laboratory ......................................."....................................................................
Simplot Fertilizer ...........................................................................................................................
Firm Sales Contracts ........................................................
;................................................,............
Hydro Forecast....................................................................................................,................................
Generation Forecast ............................................."...................................................,..........................
Transmission Forecast ............................,.....................................,......................................................
Fuel Price Forecasts ...................................................................,.........................................................
Coal Price Forecast ................................................,.......................................,...............................
Natural Gas Price Forecast...........................................................................................
;................., ,
Page ii 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company Table of Contents
4. Future Requirements............................................................................................................................
Water Planning Criteria for Resource Adequacy.................................................................................3 5
Transmission Adequacy ......................................................"""""""""""""""""""""""""""".........
Planning Reserve Margin.................................................................................................,...................
Salmon Recovery Program and Resource Adequacy..........................................................................3 7
Planning Scenarios...............................................................................................................................
Average Load (Energy)...........................................................................................,......................
Peak-Hour Load....................................................................,........................................................
5. Potential Resource Portfolios............................................................................................."................
Resource Cost Analysis """"""""""""""""""""""""""'".......,........................................................
Emission Adders for Fossil Fuel-Based Resources .......................................................................44
Production Tax Credits for Renewable Generating Resources......................................................44
30- Year Nominally Levelized Fixed Cost per kW per Month ................"......................... ...........
30- Year Nominally Levelized Cost of Production (Baseload and Peaking Service
Capacity Factors) ............................................................................................................".............
Resource Cost Analysis Results......................................... .......................................,....................
Supply-Side Resource Options ............................................................................................................
Wind.. ........ ...... ........ ....... .... ........ ....
... ..... ... .... ....... ..... ... .... .......,...... ............,.. .... ... ......... ....... ... .......
Wind Advantages...............................................................................................,.....................
Wind Disadvantages ................,...............................................................................................
Geothermal-Binary and Flash Steam Technologies......................................................................
Geothermal Advantages...........................................................................................................
Geothermal Disadvantages ......................................................................................................
Pulverized Coal (Regional, Wyoming, and Southern Idaho) ........................................................
Pulverized Coal Advantages ....................................................................................................
Pulverized Coal Disadvantages................................................................................................
Advanced Coal Technologies (IGCC , CFB) and Carbon Sequestration .......................................
Advanced Coal Technology Advantages............................................................................... ..
Advanced Coal Technology Disadvantages............................................................................ 53
Combined-Cycle Combustion Turbines ......................................,.................................................
CCCT Advantages ...................................................................................................................
CCCT Disadvantages.......
........................................................................................................
Simple-Cycle Combustion Turbines..............................................................................................
SCCT Advantages....................................................................................................................
SCCT Disadvantages.. ..................................... ................................. ............ ..".....
...., ......... ....
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page iii
Table of Contents Idaho Power Company
Combined Heat and Power..................... ...................................................................................... .
CHP Advantages...........................................................................,..........................................
CHP Disadvantages ..............................................................................................................
~..
Biomass...... ...
....... .... ...... ....... .............................. .... ...... ........ ......... ..,.... ...... .......... ..."................ ... .
Solar Energy and Photovoltaics ................................................................................................... ..
Nuclear ....... ........ ........ ......... ........
...... ... .................. .... ........ ..................., ......... ... .......... ...,..... .........
Nuclear Advantages ..................,..............................................................................................
Nuclear Disadvantages..........................................................................
...................................
Hydroelectric....... ......... ......
.......,. .... .............. ......... ........ .... ............... .................,.... ................. ... ...
Efficiency Upgrades at Existing Facilities.................................................................................... .
Transmission Path Upgrades..........................................................................................................
McN ary to Locust via Brownlee............................................................................................. .
Lo 10 to Oxbow......................................................................................................................... 61
Bridger, Wyoming to Boise Bench via Midpoint ....................................................................
Garrison or Townsend, Montana to Boise Bench via Midpoint ..............................................
White Pine, Nevada to Boise Bench via Midpoint ..................................................................
Transmission Advantages ........................................................................................................
Transmission Disadvantages...... ........
... ......... """" ....... .... ... ..,............. .... ...... ....... .... .... ....... ....
Demand-Side Management. ...... ........................... ........
...... .................. .............. ........ ....... ......... ..........
Demand Response Programs """"""""""""""""""""""""""""'"..............................................
Energy Efficiency Programs ...............,..........................................................................................
Market Transformation Programs..................................................................................................
DSM Evaluation..................................................................................................,................................
2006 IRP Demand-Side Programs................................................................................................ .
2006 IRP DSM Program Description and Metrics ........................................................................
Residential Efficiency Program-Existing Construction......................................................... .
Commercial Efficiency Program-Existing Construction .........
...... .............. ...........................
Industrial Efficiency Program Expansion................................................................................
General DSM Discussion....................................................................,..........................................
Regional DSM Savings Comparison............................................................................................. 69
Resource Portfolios.... .....
.... ................... ...... .............. ............. ........... .... ..... ............................,. ...........
Portfolio Selection ..................................,............................................................................................
Risk Analysis """""""""""""""""""""""""""'"..........................................,...................................
Selection of Finalist Portfolios.............. ...
...... ... ..... .,...... ......... ...........;........ .,.......... ..... .... .....,......... .....
Page iv 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
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Idaho Power Company Table of Contents
Risk Analysis of Finalist Portfolios .................... .............
............. ........................... ............ ...... ..........
Quantitative Risk ...........................................................................................................................
Carbon Risk """"""""""""""""""""""""""".......................................................................
Natural Gas Price Risk........... ........ ......................
.......... ......... ........ ........ ...... ............ ........... ....
Capital and Construction Cost Risk................. .......
....... .............. ................... ....... ................. .
Hydrologic Variability Risk.....................................................................................................
Market Risk...................................................""""""""""""""""""""""""""".....................
Qualitative Risk ..............................................................................................................,..............
Regulatory Risk ...................
................................................................................,...................
Declining Snake River Base Flows.......................................................................................... 86
FERC Relicensing Risk ...........................................................................................................
Resource Commitment Risk """"""""""""""""""""""""""'".............................................
Resource Siting Risk................................................................................................................
Fuel, Implementation, and Technology Risks....................................................................... ..
Risk Analysis Summary.......................................................................................................................
Ten-Year Resource Plan .......... ...................
""""""'" .................. .......... ...... ...... .......... ........... ........... ..
Introduction.............. ..........
.... ..................... .... ... ... ... ....... .... .... ................. ..... ... ................. ........ ... ...... ..
Supply-Side Resources ..........,.............................................................................................................
Demand-Side Resources ................................................................................,.....................................
Renewable Energy .......................................................................
,.......................................................
Peaking Resources .........,...................................................................................,.................................
Market Purchases """""""""""""""""""""""""""......................................................,....................
Transmission Resources.......................................................................................................................
Demand-Side Management Programs ....................................................,............................................
Near-Term Action Plan...................................................................................................................... 1 0 1
Introduction........................................................................................................................................10 1
Near-Term Action Plan...................................................................................................................... 1 0 1
Generation Resources........................................................................................................................1 02
Thermal Generation-Baseload...................................,,"""""""""""""""""""""""""""........1 02
Thermal Generation-Peaking............................................................................................... .
....
1 03
Renewable Energy """"""""""""""""""""""""""'""""""""""""""""""""""""""""'".............103
Wind Generation.............................................."""""""""""""""""""""""""""'"...................104
Geothermal Generation................................................................................................................ 1 04
Transmission Resources...................................................................................................,.................104
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page v
Table of Contents Idaho Power Com~InY
Demand-Side Management............................................."""""","""""""""""""""""""'"............104
Risk Mitigation..................................................................................................................................l 05
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LIST OF TABLES
2006 Preferred Portfolio Summary and Timeline................................................................... 5
Historical Data (1990-2005).... ..... .............................. ............................. ................. .......... ..
Changes in Reported Nameplate Capacity Since 1990.........................................................12
Supply-Side Resources .........................................................................................................
Hydropower Proj ect Relicensing Schedule......................................................................... ..
Transmission Interconnections ...................................................,.........................................
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2005 DSM Energy and Peak Impact.....................................................................................25
Load Forecast Probability Boundaries (aMW) .....................................................................27
Range of Total Load Growth Forecasts (aMW) ...................................................................
Firm Sales Contracts """""""""""""""""""""""""""""...................................................
Recent Brownlee Inflow History .............................."......................................................... .
Planning Criteria for Average Load and Peak-Hour Load ...................................................
Emissions Adders for Fossil Fuel Generating Resources-Base Case...................................
Emission Adders-Dollars per MWh (2006 Dollars)-Base Case ..........................................44
Potential Demand-Side Programs ...................................................,.....................................
Summary of Residential Efficiency Program-Existing Construction ..................................
Summary of Commercial Efficiency Program-Existing Construction.................................
Summary of Industrial Efficiency Program Expansion........ ........
........ ........... .........., ........ ..
Comparison of Initial Portfolios........................................................................................... 70
Portfolio Comparison............................................................................................................
Summary of Primary Strengths and Weaknesses Used for Portfolio Selection ...................
Summary of Finalist Portfolios............................................................................................. 78
Carbon Risk Analysis............................................................................................................
Natural Gas Price Risk Analysis........................................................................................... 81
Cost of Construction Risk Analysis...................................................................................... 82
Capital Risk Analysis (Discount Rate) ...........................".................................................... 83
Summary Statistics of Hydrologic Variability Analysis....................................................... 83
Market Risk Analysis................................................................................................"..........
Risk Analysis Summary........................................................................................................
Page vi 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company Table of Contents
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Portfolio F2 (Supply-Side and Demand-Side Resources).......................................... .......... .
Portfolio F2 (10- Year Resource Plan) ............................................................".................... 96
Portfolio F2 (Near-Term Action Plan through 2008) .........................................................102
LIST OF FIGURES
Historical Data (1990-2005)..... ............" ........ ............... ....... ................
....... .................. .......
2005 Energy Sources ............................................................................................................
Transmission System ............................................................................................................
Monthly Energy Surplus/Deficiency 70th Percentile Water, 70th Percentile Average
Load (Existing and Committed Resources)
""""""""",""""""""""""""""""""""""""" .
Monthly Peak-Hour Surplus/Deficiency 90th Percentile Water, 95th Percentile Peak
Load (Existing and Committed Resources) ..........................................................................40
Monthly Peak-Hour Northwest Transmission Deficit 90th Percentile Water, 95th
Percentile Peak Load (Existing and Committed Resources) ............................................
,..
.42
30- Year Nominal Levelized Fixed Costs Cost of Capital and Fixed Operating Costs....... ..
30- Year Nominal Levelized Cost of Production at Baseload Capacity Factors ...................47
30- Year Nominal Levelized Cost of Production at 4% Capacity Factors (Peaking
Service) .,...................................................................................................,...........................
Transmission Plus Market Purchase Alternatives 30- Year Nominal Levelized Cost
of Production at Baseload Capacity Factors.........................................................................5 8
Transmission Plus Market Purchase Alternatives 30- Year Nominal Levelized Cost
of Production at Peaking Service Capacity Factors............................................................ ..
Transmission Plus Market Purchase Alternatives 30- Year Nominal Levelized Fixed
Costs Cost of Capital and Fixed Operating Costs.................................................................
Existing and Potential DSM..................................................................................................
Levelized Price for Generating Resources vs. Carbon Adder ..............................................
Hydrologic Variability Portfolio Comparison ($OOOs)
............................................."........ ..
Present Value of Risk Adjusted Portfolio Costs................................................................... 85
Portfolio F2 (Capacity Compared to Low, Expected, and High Peak-Hour Load
Forecast)................................................................................................................................
Idaho Power Energy Sources in 2007 and 2025 ...................................................................
Page vii2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Table of Contents Idaho Power Company
LIST OF ApPENDICES
Appendix A-Sales and Load Forecast
Appendix B-Demand-Side Management 2005 Annual Report
Appendix C-Economic Forecast
Appendix D- Technical Appendix
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Page viii 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company Glossary of Terms
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
A/C - Air Conditioning
AIR - Additional Information Request
Alliance - Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
aMW - Average Megawatt
BOR - Bureau of Reclamation
BP A - Bonneville Power Administration
C&RD - Conservation and Renewable Discount
CAMR - Clean Air Mercury Rule
CCCT - Combined-Cycle Combustion Turbine
CDD - Cooling Degree-Days
CFB - Circulating Fluidized Bed
CFL - Compact Fluorescent Light
CHP - Combined Heat and Power
CO2 - Carbon Dioxide
CRC - Conservation Rate Credit
CSPP - Cogeneration and Small Power Producers
CT - Combustion Turbine
DOE - U.S. Department of Energy
DG - Distributed Generation
DSM - Demand-Side Management
EA - Environmental Assessment
EEAG - Energy Efficiency Advisory Group
EIA - Energy Information Administration
EIS - Environmental Impact Statement
ESA - Endangered Species Act
FCRPS - Federal Columbia River Power System
FERC - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
GDD - Growing Degree-Days
HDD - Heating Degree-Days
IDWR - Idaho Department of Water Resources
IGCC - Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle
INL - Idaho National Laboratory
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page ix
Glossary of Terms Idaho Power Company
IOU - Investor-Owned Utility
IPC - Idaho Power Company
IPUC -Idaho Public Utilities Commission
IRP - Integrated Resource Plan
IRP AC - Integrated Resource Plan Advisory Council
kV - Kilovolt
kW - Kilowatt
kWh - Kilowatt Hour
LIW A - Low Income Weatherization Assistance
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MAF - Million Acre Feet
MMBTU - Million British Thermal Units
MW - Megawatt
MWh - Megawatt Hour
NEP A - National Environmental Policy Act
NWPCC - Northwest Power and Conservation Council
NOx - Nitrogen Oxides
OPUC - Oregon Public Utility Commission
PCA - Power Cost Adjustment
PM&E - Protection, Mitigation, and Enhancement 'l
PP A - Power Purchase Agreement
PTC - Production Tax Credit
, .!
PUC - Public Utility Commission
PURPA - Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
PV - Present Value
QF - Qualifying Facility
REC - Renewable Energy Credit
Rider - Energy Efficiency Rider
RFP - Request for Proposal
RPS - Renewable Portfolio Standard
RTO - Regional Transmission Organization
SO2 - Sulfur Dioxide
SCCT - Simple-Cycle Combustion Turbine
WACC - Weighted Average Cost of Capital
WECC - Western Electricity Coordinating Council
Page x 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 2006 Integrated Resource Plan Summary
1. 2006 INTEGRATED
RESOURCE PLAN SUMMARY
Introduction
The 2006 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is
Idaho Power Company s eighth resource plan
prepared to fulfill the regulatory requirements
and guidelines established by the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission (IPUC) and the Oregon
Public Utility Commission (OPUC).
In developing this plan, Idaho Power worked
with the Integrated Resource Plan Advisory
Council (IRPAC), comprised of major
stakeholders representing the environmental
community, major industrial customers
irrigation customers, state legislators, public
utility commission representatives, the
Governor s office, and others. The IRPAC
meetings served as an open forum for discussion
related to the development of the IRP, and its
members have made significant contributions to
this plan. While input from the IRP AC has been
considered and incorporated into the 2006 IRP
final decisions on the content of the plan were
made by Idaho Power. A list of IRP AC
members can be found in Appendix D-
Technical Appendix. Idaho Power encourages
IRP AC members to submit comments
expressing their views regarding the 2006 IRP
and the planning process.
The 2006 IRP assumes that during the planning
period (2006-2025), Idaho Power will continue
to be responsible for acquiring resources
sufficient to serve all of its retail customers in
its mandated Idaho and Oregon service areas
and will continue to operate as a vertically-
integrated electric utility.
The two primary goals of Idaho Power s 2006
IRP are to:
I. Identify sufficient resources to reliably
serve the growing demand for energy
within Idaho Power s service area
throughout the 20-year planning period;
and
2. Ensure the portfolio of selected
resources balances costs, risks, and
environmental concerns.
In addition, there are several secondary goals:
1. Give equal and balanced treatment to
both supply-side resources and
demand-side measures;
Highlights
Idaho Power uses 70th percentile water conditions and 70th percentile average load for
energy planning.
For peak-hour capacity planning, Idaho Power uses 90th percentile water conditions and
95th percentile peak-hour load.
The 2006 IRP includes 1,300 MW (nameplate) of supply-side resource additions and
DSM programs designed to reduce peak load by 187 MW and average load by 90 aMW.
Idaho Power s average load is expected to increase by 40 aMW (1.9% annually);
summertime peak-hour loads are expected to increase by 80 MW (2.1 % annually) per
year through 2025.
Idaho Power expects to add 11 000-000 retail customers per year through 2025.
In July 2006, Idaho Power set a new peak-hour load record of 3 084 MW.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 1
1. 2006 Integrated Resource Plan Summary Idaho Power Company
2. Involve the public in the planning
process in a meaningful way;
3. Explore transmission alternatives; and
4. Investigate and evaluate advanced coal
technologies.
The number of households in Idaho Power
service area is expected to increase from around
455 000 in 2005 to over 680 000 by the end of
the planning period in 2025. Population growth
in southern Idaho is an inescapable fact, and
Idaho Power will need to add physical resources
to meet the electrical energy demands of its
growing customer base.
Idaho Power, with hydroelectric generation as
the foundation of its energy production, has an
obligation to serve customer loads regardless of
the water conditions which may occur. In light
of public input and regulatory support of the
more conservative planning criteria used in the
2002 IRP, Idaho Power will continue to
emphasize a resource plan based upon a
worse-than-median level of water. In the 2006
IRP, Idaho Power is again emphasizing 70th
percentile water conditions and 70th percentile
average load for energy planning, and the 90th
percentile water conditions and 95th percentile
peak-hour load for capacity planning. A 70th
percentile water condition means Idaho Power
plans generation based on a level of streamflows
that is exceeded in seven out of ten years on
average. Conversely, streamflow conditions are
expected to be worse than the planning criterion
in three out of ten years. This is a more
conservative planning criterion than median
water planning, but less conservative than
critical water planning. Further discussion of
Idaho Power s planning criteria can be found in
Chapter 4.
Idaho Power extended the planning horizon in
the 2006 IRP to 20 years. Recent Idaho Power
IRPs utilized a 10-year planning horizon, but
with the increased need for baseload resources
with long construction lead times along with the
need for a 20-year resource plan to support
PURP A contract negotiations, Idaho Power and
the IRP AC decided to extend the planning
horizon of the 2006 IRP to 20 years.
Potential Resource Portfolios
Idaho Power examined 12 resource portfolios
and several variations of portfolios in preparing
the 2006IRP. Discussions with the IRPAC led
to the selection of four finalist portfolios for
additional risk analysis-a portfolio that
emphasized thermal resources, a portfolio with a
strong commitment to renewable resources , a
resource portfolio that emphasized regional
transmission, and a modified version of the
2004 IRP preferred portfolio.
Following the risk analysis, a modified version
of the 2004 preferred portfolio was selected as
the preferred portfolio for the 2006 IRP. The
selected portfolio adds supply-side and
demand-side resources capable of providing
091 MW of energy, 1 250 MW of capacity to
meet peak-hour loads, and 285 MWof
additional transmission capacity from the
Pacific Northwest. The selected portfolio also
includes demand-side management (DSM)
programs estimated to reduce loads by 90 aMW
annually and peak-hour loads by 187 MW.
. !
The preferred portfolio represents resource
acquisition targets. It is important to note the
actual resource portfolio may differ from the
above quantities depending on acquisition or
development opportunities, specific responses to
Idaho Power s Request for Proposals (RFPs),
the business plans of any ownership partners
and the changing needs ofIdaho Power
system.
\."
Risk Management
Idaho Power, in conjunction with the IPUC staff
and interested customer groups, developed a
risk management policy during 2001 to protect
against severe movements in Idaho Power
Page 2 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 1. 2006 Integrated Resource Plan Summary
power supply costs. The risk management
policy is primarily aimed at managing
short-term market purchases and hedging
strategies with a typical time horizon of 18
months or less. The risk management policy is
intended to supplement the existing IRP
process.
Whereas the IRP is the forum for making
long-term resource decisions, the risk
management policy addresses short-term
resource decisions that arise as resources, loads
costs of service, market conditions, and weather
vary. The Risk Management Committee
oversees both the implementation of the risk
management policy and the IRP to ensure the
planning process is consistent and coordinated.
Idaho Power intends to commit to, or acquire, a
variety of resource types including renewable
thermal, and combined heat and power (CHP)
resources, demand-side programs, and
transmission resources early in the planning
period. If any of the selected resources differ
from the expected levels of production or
reliability, Idaho Power may need to adjust the
resource proportions in later resource plans.
Should market or policy conditions change
dramatically, the customers of Idaho Power will
have the protection of a diverse resource
portfolio.
Near-Term Action Plan
Customer growth is the primary driving force
behind Idaho Power s need for additional
resources. Population growth throughout
southern Idaho--specifically in the Treasure
Valley-requires additional resources to meet
both instantaneous peak and sustained energy
needs. Idaho Power s data, projections , and
analyses show that a blended, diversified
portfolio of resources and full utilization of its
import capability during peak-load hours is the
most cost-effective, least-risk, and
environmentally responsible method to address
the increasing energy needs of its customers.
Idaho Power has selected a balanced portfolio
which adds renewable resources, demand-side
measures, transmission resources, and thermal
generation to meet the projected electric
demands over the next 20 years. The 2006 IRP
identifies the following specific actions to be
taken by Idaho Power prior to the next IRP in
2008:
September 2006: 2006 Integrated Resource
Plan filed with the Idaho and Oregon Public
Utility Commissions
Fall 2006
I. Conclude 100 MW wind RFP issued in
response to the 2004 IRP
2. Notify short-listed bidders in 100 MW
geothermal RFP issued in response to
the 2004 IRP
3. Initiate McNary-Boise transmission
upgrade process
4. Develop implementation plans for new
DSM programs with guidance from the
Energy Efficiency Advisory Group
(EEAG)
5. Continue coal-fired resource evaluation
with A vista and consider expansion
opportunities at Idaho Power s existing
projects (Jim Bridger, Boardman, and
Valmy)
6. Investigate opportunities to increase
participation in the highly successful
Irrigation Peak Rewards DSM program
7. Complete the wind integration study
8. Evaluate the Energy Efficiency Rider
(Rider) level to fund DSM program
expanSiOn
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 3
1. 2006 Integrated Resource Plan Summary Idaho Power Company
2007
1. Finalize DSM implementation plans and
budgets with guidance from the EEAG
2. Conclude 100 MW geothermal RFP
3. Assess CHP development in progress via
the PURP A process-consider issuing
RFP for 50 MW CHP depending on
level of PURP A development
4. Identify leading candidate site(s) for
coal-fired resource addition and begin
permitting activities
5. Continue study of225 MW McNary-
Boise transmission upgrade
6. Bring 100 MW of wind on-line
7. Evaluate/initiate DSM programs
8. Select coal-fired resource, finalize
contracts, begin design, procurement
and pre-construction activities
2008
1. Make final commitment to 225 MW
McN ary-Boise transmission upgrade
2. Complete 250 MW Borah-West
transmission upgrade
3. Bring 170 MW Danskin expansion
on-line
4. Evaluate/initiate DSM programs
5. Prepare and file 2008 IRP
The 2006 IRP has two significant supply-side
resource additions that will require considerable
preconstruction commitments; approximately
250 MW of coal-fired generation could come
from either the expansion of an existing facility
or the addition of a new generation facility and a
225 MW upgrade of the McNary to Boise
transmission line. Idaho Power will continue its
research efforts on these two resource additions
during the fall of 2006.
The preferred portfolio also includes 250 MW
of advanced coal technology in the form of an
integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC)
plant in the later stages of the planning period.
The timing and commitment to the IGCC or
other advanced coal facility will be assessed in
future resource plans when additional feasibility
information should be available concerning this
technology.
, ", ;
Renewable Resource
Education , Research
and Development
In the 2004 IRP, Idaho Power expressed its
commitment to renewable energy by stating,
Idaho Power will continue to fund education
and demonstration energy projects with up to
$100 000 of funding." One of the projects
supported with this commitment was the
Foothills Environmental Learning Center in
north Boise. Idaho Power s support for this
project included the installation of a 4.6 kW fuel
cell and a 2.0 kW solar panel. In addition, Idaho
Power repaired and upgraded the 15 kW solar
energy project on the roof of its corporate
headquarters in downtown Boise.
Continuing with its commitment to support
renewable energy through education and
demonstration projects, Idaho Power intends to
commit up to an additional $100 000 to support
renewable energy education and demonstration
projects. Areas currently under consideration
include solar energy projects and river flow
energy conversion devices. At present, Idaho
Power has not selected a specific project(s) to
pursue with this funding.
"..
Page 4 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 2006 Integrated Resource Plan Summary
Idaho Power intends to conclude the wind
integration study during the fall of 2006. Idaho
Power also has an open RFP for a geothermal
resoprce which it intends to conclude in early
2007. Idaho Power is currently negotiating a
power purchase contract with the successful
bidder identified for the wind RFP issued in
2005. The 2006 preferred portfolio includes
250 MW of wind resources, 150 MW of
geothermal resources, and 150 MW ofCHP
generation resources.
Portfolio Composition
The resource quantities identified in the
preferred portfolio approximate the generation
resources Idaho Power may acquire. Each
resource and each resource acquisition has
different characteristics and Idaho Power may
alter the resource quantities to capitalize on
market conditions, acquisition or development
opportunities, and the specific characteristics of
the bids offered during an individual RFP.
Additionally, the results of Idaho Power s wind
integration study may cause either an increase
or decrease in the amount of wind generation
included in the preferred portfolio. Idaho Power
conducts the IRP process every two years which
provides an opportunity to revisit the resource
portfolio and make adjustments in response to
changing conditions. The diversified resource
portfolio allows Idaho Power to continue to
reliably serve its customers while balancing
costs , risks, and environmental concerns. A
summary and timeline of the 2006 preferred
portfolio is listed in Table I-
IRP Methodology
A brief outline ofldaho Power s IRP
methodology is as follows:
1. Assess present and estimate future
conditions by:
Developing load, hydrologic, and
generation forecasts
Determining energy surplus and
deficiency on a monthly and hourly
basis
Developing a peak-hour transmission
analysis to estimate transmission
deficiencies from the Pacific
Northwest
Determining energy (monthly) and
capacity (peak-hour) targets
Table 1-1. 2006 Preferred Portfolio Summary and Timeline
Summary
Resource
250
150
150
285
250
250
250
585
Wind........................................................
Geothermal (Binary)................................
CHP
.......................................................
Transmission...........................................
Coal.........................................................
RegionallGCC Coal................................
Nuclear....................................................
Total Nameplate
DSM Peak...............................................
Energy (aMW) .........................................
Transmission...........................................
Peak.......................................................,
187
091
285
250
Year
Timeline
Resource
100
150
225
250
250
100
250
585
2008 Wind (2005 RFP) .""""".'.'."'.'
2009 Geothermal (2006 RFP)...........
2010 CHP
.........................................
2012 Wind.........................................
2012 Transmission McNary-Boise ...
2013 Wyoming Pulverized Coal........
2017 RegionallGCC Coal.................
2019 Transmission Lolo-IPC............
2020 CHP
"."""".'.'.""".""."""""'"
2021 Geothermal..............................
2022 Geothermal..............................
2023 INL Nuclear .......,...................."
Total Nameplate
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 5
1. 2006 Integrated Resource Plan Summary Idaho Power Company
2. Inventory the potential supply-side and
demand-side options and construct
numerous portfolios capable of meeting
energy and capacity targets by:
Estimating the costs of potential
supply-side resources and demand-
side programs using preliminary
transmission interconnection cost
estimates
Constructing practical portfolios
based on supply-side resources and
demand-side program costs and
estimates
Simulating performance and
determining the portfolio costs
Ranking each portfolio based on the
present value of expected costs and
selecting finalist portfolios for
further risk analysis
3. Evaluate the finalist portfolios and
identify a preferred portfolio by:
Refining the transmission integration
cost analysis and incorporating
backbone upgrades
Performing qualitative and
quantitative risk analyses
4. Develop near-term and 10-year action
plans based on the preferred portfolio
Public Policy Issues
A number of public policy issues have emerged
since Idaho Power filed the 2004 IRP. These
issues include green tags, emission offsets
financial disincentives for DSM programs
technology risks, and asset ownership. Each
issue significantly affects long-term resource
planning and the resulting portfolio of resources
acquired. The near-term actions that Idaho
Power takes to position itself and its customers
for potential future regulations are also affected
by a range of public policy issues.
Idaho Power discussed a range of public policy
issues with the IRP AC and was hopeful a
consensus opinion would emerge as a result of
the discussions. While the topics were discussed
at length, it became apparent that a consensus
opinion would likely compromise individual
positions on these important issues.
'. '
In lieu of being able to provide recommenda-
tions from the IRP AC on these issues, Idaho
Power has chosen to present a series of
questions and its position on each of the issues.
Members of the IRPAC and the public are
invited to provide specific comments on Idaho
Power s proposed position on each of the topics.
Public comments will help Idaho Power, the
Idaho and Oregon PUCs, and the IRPAC assess
the level of public support for each of the
proposals.
Environmental Attributes
or Green Tags
Due to a growing interest in renewable
resources, over the past five years the electric
industry has seen the output from renewable
resources separated into two components
delivered energy and environmental attributes.
Environmental attributes are more commonly
referred to as "green tags" due to the positive
environmental aspects, measured in dollars-per-
MWh of production, of renewable resources.
The emergence of two products stemming from
one resource raises policy questions that are
beginning to influence resource decisions for
Idaho Power and other electric utilities. The
main policy questions Idaho Power associates
with green tags are:
- -'~ '
Should Idaho Power acquire the green
tags for any renewable energy regardless
of whether the energy is generated at an
Idaho Power generation unit or
purchased through a purchased power
Page 6 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 2006 Integrated Resource Plan Summary
agreement, PURP A contract, energy
exchange or some other arrangement?
Should Idaho Power pay to acquire
green tags even if the State ofIdaho, the
State of Oregon, and the federal
government have no current statutory
requirement for green tags through
renewable portfolio standards (RPSs) or
other regulations?
Must Idaho Power possess green tags in
order to accurately represent the
renewable segments of its generation
portfolio?
Should future RFPs require the bidders
to include green tags as part of the
product and pricing?
Should green tags be delivered to Idaho
Power as part of any PURP A Qualifying
Facility (QF) purchase?
Should Idaho Power s voluntary Green
Power Program express a preference to
purchase green tags from developments
within Idaho Power s service area?
Should the costs associated with
acquiring green tags be recoverable as a
legitimate power purchase expense?
The 2006 IRP is the policy instrument that
Idaho Power is using to introduce public
discussion on the questions surrounding
environmental attributes. This discussion is
designed to bring these questions to the
attention of the public through the Idaho and
Oregon regulatory commissions for resolution.
Idaho Power believes it should purchase and
retain green tags from any renewable resource
built or purchased by Idaho Power for the
supply of energy to its customers. In addition
the acquisition and retention of green tags is
necessary to accurately represent the renewable
energy component ofldaho Power s resource
portfolio. Acquiring and retaining green tags
assures Idaho Power s customers it has acquired
the energy from renewable resources.
Idaho Power intends to acquire the green tags
associated with energy generation, power
purchases, and exchanges. Should future federal
or state law impose renewable energy
requirements, Idaho Power will be prepared to
satisfy the environmental requirements with the
green tags.
Any new RFPs involving renewable resources
will require green tags be provided to Idaho
Power as part of the purchase contract. Idaho
Power also will pursue regulatory commission
approval to require any new PURP A contracts
to provide green tags as part of the standard
avoided cost rates or as part of the negotiated
PURP A purchased power contract
Idaho Power s Green Power Program will not
pursue the purchase 'of green tags from
renewable resources contained in its resource
portfolio, as Idaho Power already anticipates
acquiring those tags. If green tags in Idaho
become available from a resource not contained
in Idaho Power s resource portfolio, it may
pursue the purchase of those tags for the Green
Power Program.
Idaho Power believes acquiring green tags is a
prudent decision and it intends to seek recovery
of the costs associated with purchasing green
tags as a purchased power expense through
regulatory filings. As an interim step, Idaho
Power would also consider selling the green
tags on a year-to-year basis until they were
required by either its Green Power Program or
the adoption of a federal or state renewable
requirement. Revenue from any green tag sales
would flow through the Power Cost Adjustment
(PCA) mechanism.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 7
1. 2006 Integrated Resource Plan Summary Idaho Power Company
Emission Offsets
Depending on market conditions, it may be
possible to purchase emission offsets for less
than the cost of the CO2 emission adder used in
the IRP analysis ($14 per ton). Some members
of the IRP AC have suggested it would be
prudent for Idaho Power to hedge the carbon
emission risk by purchasing emission offsets
today at prices less than the $14 per ton used in
the IRP analysis.
There are differing opinions among IRP
members regarding carbon offset purchases. The
principal reason cited for not purchasing offsets
today is the uncertainty associated with whether
or not carbon offsets purchased today will meet
future carbon control requirements and
regulations.
Idaho Power believes it should investigate
purchasing options to acquire future carbon
offsets. Idaho Power could potentially reduce
the large financial exposure of possible carbon
taxes for the cost of the option premium. Idaho
Power believes it should be able to recover the
cost of purchasing emission offset options as
well as the cost of any emission offsets
purchased.
Financial Disincentives
for DSM Programs
Idaho Power believes fmancial disincentives for
DSM programs should be eliminated. One
objective of an effective IRP is to assemble a
diversified mix of demand-side and supply-side
resources designed to minimize the societal
costs of reliably supplying electricity to
customers. The regulatory requirement is to
treat supply-side and demand-side resources
equally in the IRP. Idaho Power is a resource
portfolio manager for its customers.
Like many utilities, Idaho Power recovers a
portion of its fixed costs through the energy
charges per kWh. Utilities could use two billing
components; a fixed charge representing the
capital investment and other fixed costs, and a
kWh charge reflecting the variable cost of
energy. However, low energy charges would
likely encourage consumption. Electric utilities
and regulatory commissions use the fixed costs
to set the kWh charge high in order to
discourage waste. In other words , a part of the
cost of every kWh represents the system s fixed
charges for existing plant and equipment; the
rest of the kWh charge reflects the variable cost
of producing that kWh of energy.
Idaho Power s rates are set based upon
assumptions about annual kWh sales through
the regulatory process in a general rate case.
Whether actual energy consumption is above or
below the initial assumptions defined in the rate
case, every reduction in sales from efficiency
improvements yields a corresponding reduction
in fixed cost recovery to the detriment of the
utility shareholder. Electric utilities such as
Idaho Power support energy efficiency but the
rate structure provides a disincentive for Idaho
Power to encourage reduced energy
consumption due to the resultant reduction in
fixed cost recovery. Idaho Power continues to
promote energy efficiency and supports the
elimination of all financial disincentives for
DSM using a process or mechanism that will
allow implementation of effective DSM
programs without penalizing its shareholders
through reduced fixed-cost recovery.
: ,,( ." !
IGCC Technology Risk
Idaho Power believes there are significant risks
associated with developing an Integrated
Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC)
generation resource given the current status of
the technology. While there have been
significant advances in IGCC technology at the
component level, sustained long-term integrated
operation in baseload utility service is still in the
development stage.
\ .
At the present time, there are only two
operational IGCC projects in the United States.
In Idaho Power s opinion, two operational units
Page 8 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 1. 2006 Integrated Resource Plan Summary
do not qualify IGCC as a proven technology.
Idaho Power believes IGCC is an important and
promising technology that may playa
significant role in the utility industry in the near
future.
The 2006 IRP includes a 250 MW IGCC project
in 2017. Idaho Power is interested in
participating in the development of IGCC
technology, but developing an IGCC project is
not a risk that Idaho Power is comfortable
taking alone. If a near-term opportunity existed
to develop a jointly-owned IGCC project with a
number of regional utilities, Idaho Power would
consider participating in such a project.
Although participation in a regional IGCC
proj ect is not specifically identified in the
preferred portfolio, Idaho Power anticipates the
planning flexibility exists to participate if a
suitable opportunity is identified. Adding
additional resources early in the planning
period, such as a share in a regional IGCC
project, may allow the 250 MW ofIGCC
identified in 2017 to be deferred, allowing Idaho
i..
Power and its customers to benefit from
continued development and cost reductions in
this technology.
Asset Ownership
Idaho Power can develop and own generation
assets, rely on power purchase agreements
(PP As) and market purchases to supply the
electricity needs of its customers, or use a
combination of the two ownership strategies.
Idaho Power expects to continue participating in
the regional power market and enter into
mid-term and long-term PP As. However, when
pursuing PP As, Idaho Power must be mindful of
imputed debt and its potential impact on Idaho
Power s credit rating. In the long run, Idaho
Power believes asset ownership results in lower
costs for customers due to the capital and
rate-of-return advantages inherent in a regulated
electric utility. Idaho Power s preference is to
own the generation assets necessary to serve its
customer load.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 9
1. 2006 Integrated Resource Plan Summary Idaho Power Company
Page 10 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 2. Idaho Power Company Today
2. IDAHO PO'PJER
COMPANY TODAY
Customer and Load Growth
In 1990, Idaho Power Company had over
290 000 general business customers. Today,
Idaho Power serves more than 456 000 general
business customers in Idaho and Oregon. Firm
peak-hour load has increased from less than
100 MW in 1990 to nearly 3 000 MW in the
summers of2002, 2003, and 2005. In July 2006
the peak-hour load reached 3 084 MW, which
was a new system peak-hour record. Average
firm load has increased from 1 200 aMW in
1990 to 1 660 aMW at the end of 2005.
Summaries of Idaho Power s load and customer
data are shown in Table 2-1 and Figure 2-
Simple calculations using the data in Table 2-
suggest that each new customer adds nearly
6 kW to the peak-hour load and nearly 3 kW to
average load. In actuality, residential
commercial, and irrigation customers generally
contribute more to the peak-hour load, whereas
industrial customers contribute more to average
load. Industrial customers generally have a more
consistent load shape whereas residential
commercial, and irrigation customers have a
load shape with greater daily and seasonal
variation.
Table 2-Historical Data (1990-2005)
Total Peak Average
Nameplate Firm Firm
Generation Load Load
Year (MW)(MW)(MW)Customers
1990 635 052 205 290,492
1991 635 972 206 296 584
1992 694 164 281 306 292
1993 644 935 274 316 564
1994 661 245 375 329 094
1995 703 224 324 339,450
1996 703 2,437 1,438 351 261
1997 728 352 1,457 361 838
1998 738 535 1,491 372,464
1999 2,738 675 552 383 354
2000 738 765 653 393 095
2001 851 500 576 403 061
2002 912 963 622 414 062
2003 912 944 657 425 599
2004 912 843 671 438 912
2005 085 961 660 456 104
Since 1990, Idaho Power s total nameplate
generation has increased by 450 MW to
085 MW. The planned addition of a 170 MW
combustion turbine at the Danskin Project in
April 2008 will increase Idaho Power s total
Highlights
Idaho Power had over 456 000 retail customers at the end of 2005.
Idaho Power expects to add 11 000-000 retail customers per year through 2025.
In July 2006, Idaho Power set a new peak-hour load record of 3 084 MW.
Summertime peak-hour loads are expected to increase by 80 MW per year through
2025.
Average load is expected to increase by 40 aMW per year through 2025.
In 2005, DSM programs resulted in a savings of 41 ,267 MWh of electricity and a
reduction in peak-hour loads of 47.5 MW.
Idaho Power incurs a capital cost of approximately $5 500 to acquire the generation
resources necessary to serve each new residential customer.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 11
2. Idaho Power Company Today Idaho Power Company
3500
Figure 2-1. Historical Data (1990-2005)
500 000
3000
----
~ 2500
~ 2000
...J
,,- ,
g 1500
~ 1000
500
,_...~~-'=---"....-=--' -,/ "
450 000
400,000
350 000
300 000
250 000 g
200 000 u
150 000
100 000
50,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Year
Total Nameplate Generation -.--Peak Firm Load -Al.erage Firm Load -Customers
nameplate generation to 3 255 MW. Actual
generation is lower than total nameplate
generation due to factors such as hydrological
conditions, fuel purity, maintenance, and facility
degradation. The 450 MW increase in capacity
represents enough generation to serve about
000 customers at peak times and represents
the average energy requirements of about
160 000 customers. Table 2-2 shows Idaho
Power s changes in reported nameplate capacity
since 1990.
Table 2-2. Changes in Reported Nameplate
Capacity Since 1990
Resource Type Year
Milner (addition) ................Hydro 1992
Wood River Turbine
(removal) .......................Thermal -50 1993
Swan Falls (upgrade) ........Hydro 1994 , 1995
Twin Falls (upgrade)..........Hydro 1995
Jim Bridger (upgrade)........Thermal 1997 1998
2002
Boardman (upgrade) .........Thermal 1997
Valmy (upgrade)................Thermal 2001
Danskin (addition) .............Thermal 2001
Bennett Mountain (addition) Thermal 173 2005
Since 1990 , Idaho Power has added more than
165 000 new customers. The simple peak-hour
and average energy calculations mentioned
earlier suggest the additional 165 000 customers
require over 900 MW of additional peak-hour
capacity and over 450 aMW of energy.
Idaho Power anticipates adding between 11 000
and 12 000 customers each year throughout the
planning period. The same simple calculations
suggest that peak-hour load requirements are
expected to grow at about 80 MW per year and
average energy is forecast to grow at about
40 aMW per year. More detailed customer and
load forecasts are discussed in Chapter 3 and in
Appendix A-Sales and Load Forecast.
The simple peak-hour load calculations indicate
Idaho Power will need to add peaking capacity
equivalent to the 90 MW Danskin plant every
year or peaking capacity equivalent to the
173 MW Bennett Mountain plant every two
years, throughout the entire planning period.
The 10- year and near-term action plans to meet
the requirements of the new customers are
discussed in Chapters 7 and 8.
( ,( .
Page 12 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 2. Idaho Power Company Today
The generation costs per kW included in
Chapter 5 help put the customer growth in
perspective. Load research data indicate the
average residential customer requires about
1.5 kW of base load generation and 6.5 to 7 kW
of peak-hour generation. Baseload generation
capital costs are about $2 000 per kW for
advanced coal technologies, wind, or
geothermal generation, and peak-hour
generation capital costs are about $500 per kW
for a natural gas combustion turbine. The capital
costs do not include fuel or any other operation
and maintenance expenses.
Based on the capital cost estimates, each new
residential customer requires about $3 000 of
capital investment for 1.5 kWofbaseload
generation, plus $2 500 for an additional 5 kW
of peak-hour generation for a total generation
capital cost of $5 500. Other capital costs such
as transmission costs, distribution costs, and
customer systems costs are not included in the
500 capital generation requirement. The
forecasted residential customer growth rate of
500 new customers per year translates into
over $50 million of new generation plant capital
per year to serve new residential customers.
Supply-Side Resources
Idaho Power has over 3 087 MW of installed or
existing generation including 1 379 MW of
thermal generation (nameplate capacity). In
2005 , hydroelectric generation supplied
36 percent of the customers ' energy needs
thermal generation supplied 42 percent, and
purchased power supplied the remaining
22 percent of the customers ' energy needs.
Idaho Power s supply-side resources are listed
in Table 2-
In addition to its existing resources, Idaho
Power has made a commitment to develop two
additional generation resources. In 2005, Idaho
Power issued an RFP to acquire an additional
peaking resource. The RFP was identified in the
2004 IRP as part of the 10-year action plan.
Idaho Power evaluated the submitted bids and
selected a 170 MW, simple-cycle, natural
gas- fired combustion turbine proposed for the
Danskin plant. Idaho Power is presently before
the IPUC seeking a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity for the Danskin
addition which is scheduled to be on-line in
2008.
Table 2-3. Supply-Side Resources
Nameplate
Capacity
(MW)
585
392
190
Resource Type
American Falls ..... Hydro
Bliss ..................... Hydro
Brownlee .............. Hydro
Cascade............... Hydro
Clear Lake............ Hydro
Hells Canyon........ Hydro
Lower Malad ........ Hydro
Upper Malad ........ Hydro
Milner ................... Hydro
Oxbow.................. Hydro
Shoshone Falls .... Hydro
Shoshone Falls
(2010) ..".......... Hydro
Lower Salmon ...... Hydro
Upper Salmon A... Hydro
Upper Salmon B... Hydro
J. Strike ............ Hydro
Swan Falls ........... Hydro
Thousand
Springs ............ Hydro
Twin Falls............. Hydro
Boardman ............ Thermal
Jim Bridger ........... Thermal
Valmy ................... Thermal
Bennett Mountain Thermal
Danskin ..........:..... Thermal
Danskin (2008)..... Thermal
Salmon ................. Thermal
, Coal2 Natural Gas
3 Diesel
771
284
173
170
Location
Upper Snake
Mid-Snake
Hells Canyon
N Fork Payette
S Central Idaho
Hells Canyon
S Central Idaho
S Central Idaho
Upper Snake
Hells Canyon
Upper Snake
Upper Snake
Mid-Snake
Mid-Snake
Mid-Snake
Mid-Snake
Mid-Snake
S Central Idaho
Mid-Snake
N Central Oregon
SW Wyoming
N Central Nevada
SW Idaho
SW Idaho
SW Idaho
E Idaho
Idaho Power has also committed to upgrading
the 12.5 MW Shoshone Falls Hydroelectric
Project. The project currently has three
generator/turbine units with nameplate
capacities of 11.5 MW, 0.6 MW, and 0.4 MW.
The upgrade project involves replacing the two
smaller units with a single 50 MW unit which
will result in a net upgrade of 49 MW. The total
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 13
2. Idaho Power Company Today Idaho Power Company
nameplate capacity of the project will be
61.5 MW when the upgrade is completed in
2010. The Danskin addition and Shoshone Falls
upgrade do not appear in the 2006 preferred
portfolio because they are considered to be
committed resources.
Hydro Resources
Idaho Power operates 18 hydroelectric
generating plants located on the Snake River
and its tributaries. Together, these hydroelectric
facilities provide a total nameplate capacity of
708 MW and annual generation equal to
approximately 970 aMW, or 8.5 million MWh
annually under median water conditions.
The backbone of Idaho Power s hydroelectric
system is the Hells Canyon Complex in the
Hells Canyon reach of the Snake River. The
Hells Canyon Complex consists of the
Brownlee, Oxbow, and Hells Canyon dams and
the associated generating facilities. In a normal
water year, the three plants provide
approximately 67 percent of Idaho Power
annual hydroelectric generation, and nearly 40
percent of the total energy generation. The Hells
Canyon Complex alone annually generates
approximately 5.84 million MWh, or 667 aMW
of energy under median water conditions. Water
storage in Brownlee Reservoir also enables the
Hells Canyon Complex to provide the major
portion of Idaho Power s peaking and
load-following capability.
Idaho Power s hydroelectric facilities upstream
from Hells Canyon include the American Falls
Milner, Twin Falls, Shoshone Falls, Clear Lake
Thousand Springs, Upper and Lower Malad
Upper and Lower Salmon, Bliss, C.J. Strike
Swan Falls , and Cascade generating plants.
Although the Mid-Snake projects of Upper and
Lower Salmon, Bliss, and C.J. Strike, typically
follow run-of-river operations, the Lower
Salmon, Bliss, and C.J. Strike plants do provide
a limited amount of peaking and load-following
capability. When possible, the schedules at the
plants are adjusted within the FERC license
requirements to coincide with the daily system
peak demand. All of the other upstream plants
are operated as run-of-river projects.
Idaho Power has entered into a Settlement
Agreement with the u.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service that provides for a study of Endangered
Species Act (ESA) listed snails and their habitat.
The objective of the research study is to
determine the impact of load following
operations on the Bliss Rapids snail and the
Idaho Spring snail. The five-year study requires
Idaho Power to operate the Bliss and Lower
Salmon facilities under varying operational
constraints to facilitate the Idaho Spring snail
research. Run-of-river operations during 2003
and 2004 will serve as the baseline, or control
for the study. Idaho Power will operate the
plants to follow load during the 2005 and 2006
years of the study.
General Hells Canyon
Complex Operations
Idaho Power operates the Hells Canyon
Complex to comply with the existing FERC
license, as well as voluntary arrangements to
accommodate other interests, such as
recreational use and environmental resources.
Among the arrangements are the fall chinook
plan voluntarily adopted by Idaho Power in
1991 to protect spawning and incubation of fall
chinook below Hells Canyon Dam. The fall
chinook is a species that is listed as threatened
under the ESA.
' ,
Additional voluntary arrangements include the
cooperative arrangement that Idaho Power had
with federal interests between 1995 and 2001 to
implement portions of the Federal Columbia
River Power System (FCRPS) biological
opinion flow augmentation program. The flow
augmentation plan was viewed as a reasonable
and prudent alternative under the biological
opinion and the intent of the arrangement was to
avoid jeopardizing the ESA-listed anadromous
species as a result of FCRPS operations below
the Hells Canyon Complex.
Page 14 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 2. Idaho Power Company Today
Brownlee Reservoir is the only one of the three
Hells Canyon Complex reservoirs-and Idaho
Power s only reservoir-with significant active
storage. Brownlee Reservoir has 101 vertical
feet of active storage capacity, which equals
approximately one million acre-feet of water.
Both Oxbow and Hells Canyon reservoirs have
significantly smaller active storage capacities-
approximately 0.5 percent and 1.0 percent of
Brownlee Reservoir s volume, respectively.
Brownlee Reservoir
Seasonal Operations
Brownlee Reservoir is a year-round, multiple-
use resource for Idaho Power and the Pacific
Northwest. Although the primary purpose is to
provide a stable power source, Brownlee
Reservoir is also used to control flooding, to
benefit fish and wildlife resources, and for
recreation.
Brownlee Dam is one of several Pacific
Northwest dams that are coordinated to provide
springtime flood control on the lower Columbia
River. Between 1995 and 2001 , Brownlee
Reservoir, along with several other Pacific
Northwest dams, was used to augment flows in
the lower Snake River consistent with the
FCRPS biological opinion. For flood control
Idaho Power operates the reservoir in
accordance with flood control directions
received from the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (US Army COE) as outlined in
Article 42 of the existing FERC license.
After the flood-control requirements have been
met in late spring, Idaho Power attempts to refill
the reservoir to meet peak summer electricity
demands and provide suitable habitat for
spawning bass and crappie. The full reservoir
also offers optimal recreational opportunities
through the Fourth of July holiday.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)
periodically releases water from BOR storage
reservoirs in the upper Snake River in an effort
to augment flows in the lower Snake River to
help anadromous fish migrate past the FCRPS
projects. The periodic releases are part of the
flow-augmentation implemented by the 2000
FCRPS biological opinion. From 1995 through
the summer of 200 1 , Idaho Power cooperated
with the BOR and other interested parties by
shaping (or pre-releasing) water from Brownlee
Reservoir and occasionally contributing water
from Brownlee Reservoir to the flow-
augmentation efforts. The pre-released water
was later replaced with water released by the
BOR from the upper Snake River reservoirs.
Recognizing the federal responsibility for the
flow-augmentation program, in 1996 the
Bonneville Power Administration (BP A)
entered into an energy exchange agreement wi th
Idaho Power to facilitate Idaho Power
cooperation with the FCRPS flow-augmentation
program. The BP A energy exchange agreement
expired in April 2001 and even though Idaho
Power expressed a willingness to continue to
participate in the FCRPS flow-augmentation
program through a similar arrangement, BP A
chose not to renew the agreement. Although the
agreement has expired, Idaho Power continues
to support the flow-augmentation program to
benefit anadromous fish migration.
Brownlee Reservoir s releases are managed to
maintain constant flows below Hells Canyon
Dam in the fall as a result of the voluntary fall
chinook plan adopted by Idaho Power in 1991.
The constant flow helps ensure sufficient water
levels to protect fall chinook spawning nests, or
redds. After the fall chinook spawn, Idaho
Power attempts to refill Brownlee Reservoir by
the first week of December to meet wintertime
peak-hour loads. The fall spawning flows
establish the minimum flow below Hells
Canyon Dam throughout the winter until the fall
chinook fry emerge in the spring.
Maintaining constant flows to protect the fall
chinook spawning contributes to the need for
additional generation resources during the fall
months. The fall chinook operations result in
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 15
2. Idaho Power Company Today Idaho Power Company
lower reservoir elevations in Brownlee
Reservoir and the lower reservoir elevations
reduce the power production capability of the
plant. The reduced power production may cause
Idaho Power to have to acquire power from
other sources to meet customer load.
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission Relicensing Process
Idaho Power s hydroelectric facilities, with the
exception of the Clear Lake and Thousand
Springs plants, operate under licenses issued by
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC). The process of relicensing Idaho
Power s hydroelectric projects at the end of
their initial 50-year license periods is well under
way as shown in the schedule in Table 2-4.
Table 2-4. Hydropower Project Relicensing
Schedule
FERC Nameplate Current File FERC
License Capacity License License
Project Number (MW)Expires Application
Hells Canyon
Complex..
,.......
1971 167 July 2005 July 2003
Swan Falls...........503 June 2010 June 2008
Bliss.....................1975 Aug. 2034 July 2032
Lower Salmon .....2061 Aug. 2034 July 2032
Upper Salmon A..2777 Aug. 2034 July 2032
Upper Salmon B..2777 Aug. 2034 July 2032
Shoshone Falls...2778 Aug. 2034 July 2032
J. Strike............2055 Aug. 2034 July 2032
Upper/Lower
Malad..............2726 March 2035 Feb. 2033
1 Operating under annual renewal of existing license
Applications to relicense Idaho Power s three
Mid-Snake facilities (Upper Salmon, Lower
Salmon, and Bliss) were submitted to FERC in
December 1995. The application to relicense the
Shoshone Falls Project was filed in May 1997.
The application to relicense the C.J. Strike
Project was filed in November 1998 and the
application to relicense the Malad projects was
filed in July 2002. The FERC issued new
licenses for Upper Salmon, Lower Salmon
Bliss , C.J. Strike, and Shoshone Falls in August
2004 and for the Malad projects in March 2005.
The application to relicense the Hells Canyon
Complex was filed in July 2003. The relicensing
application for the Swan Falls Project will be
filed in 2008.
Failure to relicense any of the existing
hydropower projects at a reasonable cost will
create upward pressure on the current electric
rates of Idaho Power customers. The relicensing
process also has the potential to decrease
available capacity and increase the cost of a
project s generation through additional
operating constraints and requirements for
environmental protection, mitigation, and
enhancement (PM&E) imposed as a condition
for relicensing. A reduction in the operational
flexibility ofldaho Power s hydro system will
also negatively impact the ability to integrate
wind resources. Idaho Power s goal throughout
the relicensing process is to maintain the low
cost of generation at the hydroelectric facilities
while implementing non-power measures
designed to protect and enhance the river
environment.
No reduction of the available capacity or
operational flexibility of the hydroelectric plants
to be relicensed has been assumed as part of the
2006 IRP. If capacity reductions or reductions in
operational flexibility do occur as a result of the
relicensing process, Idaho Power will adjust
future resource plans to reflect the need for
additional capacity resources in order to
maintain the existing level of reliability.
\ ,. :
Environmental Analysis
The National Environmental Policy Act requires
that the FERC perform an environmental
assessment of each hydropower license
application to determine whether federal action
will significantly impact the quality of the
natural environment. If so, then an
environmental impact statement (EIS) must be
prepared prior to granting a new license. The
FERC has recently issued the draft EIS for the
Page 16 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 2. Idaho Power Company Today
Hells Canyon Complex which is currently being
reviewed by Idaho Power. The draft EIS was
noticed in the Federal Register on August 4
2006, which is the beginning of the 60-day
comment period.
Opportunity for additional public comment on
the draft EIS and final EIS for the Hells Canyon
Complex will occur before the license order is
issued. Because the project's current license
expired before a new license has been issued, an
annual operating license is issued by the FERC
pending completion of the licensing process.
Hydroelectric
ReJicensing Uncertainties
Idaho Power is optimistic that the relicensing
process will be completed in a timely fashion.
However, prior experience indicates the
relicensing process will result in an increase in
the costs of generation from the relicensed
projects. The increased costs are associated with
the requirements imposed on the projects as a
condition of relicensing. Because the Hells
Canyon Complex relicensing is not complete at
this time, Idaho Power cannot reasonably
estimate the impact of the relicensing process on
the generating capability or operating costs of
the relicensed projects. At the time of the 2008
IRP Idaho Power will have better information
regarding the power generation impacts of
relicensing.
Baseload Thermal Resources
Jim Bridger
Idaho Power owns a one-third share of the Jim
Bridger coal-fired plant located near Rock
Springs, Wyoming. The plant consists of four
nearly identical generating units. Idaho Power
one-third share of the nameplate capacity of the
Jim Bridger plant currently stands at 771 MW.
After adjustment for scheduled maintenance
periods , estimated forced outages, de-ratings
and transmission losses, the annual energy-
generating capability ofldaho Power s share of
the plant through the 2006-2025 plam1ing
period is approximately 575 aMW. PacifiCorp
has two-thirds ownership and is the operating
partner of the Jim Bridger facility.
Valmy
Idaho Power owns a 50 percent share, or
284 MW, of the 568 MW (nameplate) Valmy
coal-fired plant located east ofWinnemucca
Nevada. The plant is owned jointly with Sierra
Pacific Power Company which performs
operation and maintenance services. After
adjustment for scheduled maintenance periods
estimated forced outages, de-ratings, and
transmission losses, the annual energy-
generating capability of Idaho Power s share of
the Valmy plant through the 2006-2025
planning period is approximately 230 aMW.
Boardman
Idaho Power owns a 10 percent share, or
, 56 MW, of the 560 MW (nameplate) coal-fired
plant near Boardman, Oregon, operated by
Portland General Electric Company. After
adjustment for scheduled maintenance periods
estimated forced outages, de-ratings, and
transmission losses, the annual energy-
generating capability ofldaho Power s share of
the Boardman plant through the 2006-2025
planning period is approximately 52 aMW.
Peaking Thermal Resources
Danskin
Idaho Power owns and operates the Danskin
plant, a 90 MW natural gas-fired project. The
plant consists of two 45 MW Sieme~s-
Westinghouse W251 B 12A combustIOn turbmes.
The 12-acre facility, constructed during the
summer of 200 1 , is located northwest of
Mountain Home, Idaho. The Danskin plant
operates as needed to support system load.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 17
2. Idaho Power Company Today Idaho Power Company
Bennett Mountain
Idaho Power owns and operates the Bennett
Mountain plant, a 173 MW Siemens-
Westinghouse 50 IF simple cycle , natural
gas- fired combustion turbine located near the
Danskin plant in Mountain Home, Idaho. The
Bennett Mountain plant operates as needed to
support system load.
Salmon Diesel
Idaho Power owns and operates two diesel
generation units located at Salmon, Idaho. The
Salmon units have a combined nameplate rating
of 5 MW and are primarily operated during
emergency conditions.
Public Utility Regulatory
Policies Act
In 1978 the United States Congress passed the
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act requiring
electric utilities such as Idaho Power to
purchase the energy from Qualifying Facilities
(QF). Qualifying Facilities are small
privately-owned, renewable generation projects
or small cogeneration projects. The individual
states were given the task of establishing the
terms and conditions, including price, that each
state s utilities are required to pay as part of the
PURP A agreements. Idaho Power operates in
Idaho and Oregon and has a different set of
contract requirements for PURP A projects for
each state jurisdiction.
Idaho Projects
The IPUC has established two classes of
PURP A projects:
1. Non-firm projects: Non-firm contracts
are for project operators who have no
desire to commit to a contract term or
commit to any quantity of energy
deliveries. A non-firm agreement
contains pricing based on the monthly
market value of energy for each month
when the project delivers energy to
Idaho Power.
2. Firm projects: Firm contracts are for
project operators who are willing to
make a commitment on both the contract
term and the specific levels of energy
delivery.
As specified by various IPUC orders:
Term of the agreements cannot exceed
20 years.
Projects that deliver 10 aMW or less
measured on a monthly energy delivery
basis, are eligible for the IPUC
Published Avoided Cost.
Projects that deliver greater than
10 aMW, measured on a monthly energy
delivery basis, will receive negotiated
energy prices based upon Idaho Power
IRP energy pricing models and the
specific delivery characteristics of the
generation project.
The Idaho PURP A Published Avoided Cost
model is designed to estimate the cost of an
additional utility resource that will be avoided
by the addition of the PURPA project. The
current Idaho PURP A avoided cost model
assumes that a natural gas combined-cycle
turbine is the surrogate avoided resource that
Idaho utilities avoid through the addition of
PURP A resources. Idaho Power has not selected
a natural gas combined-cycle plant in the
preferred resource portfolio since the 2000 IRP.
Idaho Power may propose using a different type
of resource for the surrogate avoided resource to
determine published avoided costs in a future
regulatory proceeding.
" '\: ;, -
The Idaho PURP A avoided-cost model requires
forecast inputs, including expected plant life
estimated plant cost, expected year of plant
construction, estimated fixed O&M costs
estimated variable O&M costs, estimated cost
escalation rates, estimated fuel cost and the
associated fuel cost escalation rate, and assumed
Page 18 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 2. Idaho Power Company Today
plant design characteristics such as the plant
heat rate. Of the inputs, fuel cost and the
associated fuel cost escalation rate have the
greatest influence on the resulting PURP A
energy prIce.
In IPUC Order 29124, the IPUC adopted the
Northwest Power and Conservation Council'
(NWPCC) median natural gas price forecast for
the fuel cost input. The IPUC updates the
PURP A Published A voided Cost whenever new
forecasts from the NWPCC are published.
The most recent NWPCC natural gas price
forecast was incorporated in IPUC Order 29646
dated December 1 , 2004 , which established the
Idaho Power PURP A Published Avoided Cost
to be 60.99 Mills per kWh (levelized rate
generation plant on-line in 2006, and 20-year
contract term).
Oregon Projects
The OPUC, the utilities serving Oregon, and
other interested parties are currently in the
process of revising the processes, terms and
conditions for PURP A projects located in the
State of Oregon. At this time, Oregon
Schedule 85 requires Idaho Power to purchase
energy from PURP A projects with less than
10 MW of nameplate generation. As specified
by Oregon Schedule 85:
The contract must follow the standard
PURP A agreement on file with the
OPUC
Term of the agreement cannot exceed 20
years
There are three pricing options under Oregon
Schedule 85:
1. Fixed Price Option: The energy price is
fixed for all energy deliveries. The
fixed-price option is very comparable to
the IPUC Published Avoided Costs
method.
2. Deadband Option: The deadband
option contains a fixed-price component
plus a variable-price component that is
based on monthly natural gas prices. The
calculated gas price is then confined
between a cap and floor creating the
deadband. "
3. Gas Index Option: The gas price option
contains a fixed-price component plus a
variable-price component that is based
on monthly natural gas prices.
The current Schedule 85 proceeding at the
OPUC is addressing the PURPA terms and
conditions for projects with a nameplate rating
greater than 10 MW.
Cogeneration and Small
Power Producers (CSPP)
Idaho Power has over 90 contracts with
independent power producers for over 400 MW
of nameplate capacity. The CSPP generation
facilities consist of low-head hydro projects on
various irrigation canals, cogeneration projects
at industrial facilities, and various small
renewable power projects. Idaho Power is
required to take the energy from the projects as
the energy is generated and it cannot dispatch
the CSPP projects. PURP A and various Idaho
and Oregon PUC orders govern the rules, rates
and requirements for independent power
producers.
Purchased Power
Idaho Power relies on regional markets to
supply a significant portion of energy and
capacity. Idaho Power is especially dependent
on the regional markets during peak periods.
Reliance on regional markets has benefited
Idaho Power customers during times of low
prices as the costs of purchases, the revenue
from surplus sales, and fuel expenses are shared
with customers through the PCA. However, the
reliance on regional markets can be costly in
times of high prices such as during the summer
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 19
2. Idaho Power Company Today Idaho Power Company
of 200 1. As part of the 2002 IRP process, the
public, the IPUC , and the Idaho Legislature all
suggested that the time had come for Idaho
Power to reduce the reliance on regional market
purchases. Greater planning reserve margins or
the use of more conservative water planning
criteria were suggested as methods requiring
Idaho Power to acquire more firm resources and
reduce its reliance on market purchases. Idaho
Power adopted more conservative water
planning criteria in the 2002 IRP and has
continued utilizing the more conservative water
planning criteria in the 2004 and 2006
Integrated Resource Plans.
Figure 2-2 shows the percentages of Idaho
Power s energy resources to serve customer
load in 2005. As recently as 1998, the
proportion of hydro generation exceeded 50
percent and purchased power was only 15
percent of the resource portfolio. Customer
growth combined with below normal water
lowered the proportion of hydro to 36 percent
and increased purchased power to 22 percent of
the portfolio in 2005.
Figure 2-2. 2005 Energy Sources
Transmission
Interconnections
Description
The Idaho Power transmission system is a key
element serving the needs ofldaho Power
retail customers. The 345 kV, 230 kV, and
138 kVmain grid system is essential for the
delivery of bulk power supply. Figure 2-3 shows
the principal grid elements ofldaho Power
high-voltage transmission system.
Capacity and Constraints
Idaho Power s transmission connections with
regional utilities provide paths over which
off-system purchases and sales are made. The
transmission interconnections and the associated
power transfer capacities are identified in
Table 2-5. The capacity of a transmission path
may be less than the sum of the individual
circuit capacities. The difference is due to a
number of factors, including load distribution
potential outage impacts, and surrounding
system limitations. In addition to the restrictions
on interconnection capacities, other internal
transmission constraints may limit Idaho
Power s ability to access specific energy
markets. The internal transmission paths needed
to import resources from other utilities and their
respective potential constraints are also shown
in Figure 2-3 and Table 2-
" ,
Brownlee-East Path
The Brownlee-East transmission path is on the
east side of the Northwest Interconnection
shown in Table 2-5. Brownlee-East is
comprised of the 230 kV and 138 kV lines east
of the Brownlee/Oxbow/Quartz area. When the
Midpoint-Summer Lake 500 kV line is included
with the Brownlee-East path, the path is
typically referred to as the Brownlee-East Total
path. The constraint on the Brownlee-East
transmission path is within Idaho Power s main
transmission grid and located in the area
between Brownlee and Boise on the west side of
the system.
\;
- i
The Brownlee-East path is most likely to face
summer constraints during normal to high water
years. The constraints result from a combination
of Hells Canyon Complex hydro generation
flowing east into the Treasure Valley,
concurrent with transmission wheeling
obligations and purchases from the Pacific
Page 20 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 2. Idaho Power Company Today
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2. Idaho Power Company Today Idaho Power Company
Table 2-5. Transmission Interconnections
Transmission
Interconnections Connects Idaho Power To
Sierra 262 MW 500 MW Midpoint-Humboldt 345 kV Sierra Pacific Power
Eastern Idaho Kinport-Goshen 345 kV PacifiCorp (PPL Division)
Bridger-Goshen 345 kV PacifiCorp (PPL Division)
Brady-Antelope 230 kV PacifiCorp (PPL Division)
Blackfoot-Goshen 161 kV PacifiCorp (PPL Division)
Utah (Path C/775 to 950 MW 830 to 870 MW Borah-Ben Lomond 345 kV PacifiCorp (PPL Division)
Brady-Treasureton 230 kV PacifiCorp (PPL Division)
American Falls-Malad 138 kV PacifiCorp (PPL Division)
Montana 79 MW 79MW Antelope-Anaconda 230 kV NorthWestern Energy
87 MW 87MW Jefferson-Dillon 161 kV NorthWestern Energy
Pacific (Wyoming)600 MW 600 MW Jim Bridger 345/230 kV PacifiCorp (Wyoming Division)
Northwest
Capacity
To Idaho From Idaho
090 to 1 200 MW 2,400
Line or Transformer
Oxbow-Lolo 230 kV Avista
Midpoint-Summer Lake 500 kV PacifiCorp (PPL Division)
Hells Canyon-Enterprise 230 kV PacifiCorp (PPLDivision)
Quartz Tap-LaGrande 230 kV BPA
Hines-Harney 138/115 kV BPA
Power Transfer Capacity for Idaho Power s Interconnections
1 The Idaho Power-PacifiCorp interconnection total capacities in eastern Idaho and Utah include Jim Bridger resource
integration.
2 The Path C transmission path also includes the internal PacifiCorp Goshone-Grace 161 kV line.
3 The direct Idaho Power-Montana Power schedule is through the Brady-Antelope 230 kV line and through the
Blackfoot-Goshen 161 kV line that are listed as an interconnection with PacifiCorp. As a result, Idaho-Montana and
Idaho-Utah capacities are not independent.
Northwest. Transmission wheeling obligations
also affect southeastern flow into and through
southern Idaho. Significant congestion affecting
southeast energy transmission flow from the
Pacific Northwest may also occur during the
month of December. Restrictions on the
Brownlee-East path limit the amount of energy
Idaho Power can import from the Hells Canyon
Complex, as well as off-system purchases from
the Pacific Northwest.
The Brownlee-East Total constraint is the
primary restriction on imports of energy from
the Pacific Northwest during normal and high
water years. If new resources are sited west of
this constraint, additional transmission capacity
will be required to remove the existing
Brownlee-East transmission constraint to
deliver the energy from the additional resources
to the Boise/Treasure Valley load area.
Oxbow-North Path
The Oxbow-North path is a part of the
Northwest Interconnection and consists of the
Hells Canyon-Brownlee and Lola-Oxbow
230 kV double-circuit line. The Oxbow-North
path is most likely to face constraints during the
summer months when high northwest-to-
southeast energy flows and high hydro
production levels coincide. Congestion on the
Oxbow-N orth path also occurs during the
winter months of November and December due
to winter peak conditions throughout the region.
'--
l..
Northwest Path
The Northwest path consists of the 500 kV
Midpoint-Summer Lake line, the three 230 kV
lines between the Northwest and Brownlee, and
the 115 kV interconnection at Harney.
Deliveries of purchased power from the Pacific
Northwest flow over these lines. During peak
Page 22 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 2. Idaho Power Company Today
summer periods, total purchased power needs
may exceed the capability of the Northwest
Path. If new resources are sited west of this
constraint, additional transmission capability
will be needed to transmit the energy into Idaho
Power s control area.
Borah-West Path
The Borah-West transmission path is within
Idaho Power s main grid transmission system
located west of the eastern Idaho, Utah Path C
Montana and Pacific (Wyoming) intercon-
nections shown in Table 2-5. The Borah-West
path consists of the 345 kV and 138 kV lines
west of the Borah/Brady/Kinport area. The
Borah-West path will be of increasing concern
because its capacity is fully utilized by existing
wheeling obligations.
There is a strong probability that many of the
generation alternatives considered in the 2006
IRP will be sited east of the Borah-West
transmission path. Transmission improvements
on the Borah-West transmission path will be
required to transfer energy from any new
generation sited on the east side of Idaho
Power s service area to serve load growth in the
Boise area. Idaho Power is presently upgrading
the capacity of the Borah-West path. The
transmission improvements identified in the
2004 IRP will increase the Borah-West
transmission capacity by 250 MW and are
expected to be completed in May 2007. The
increased transmission capacity will be
available to serve Idaho Power s native load
requirements with new generating resources
located east of the Borah-West constraint.
Midpoint-West Path
The Midpoint-West path is another
transmission constraint that exists just west of
the Midpoint area. The Midpoint-West
constraint is slightly less restrictive than the
Borah-West constraint at the present time.
Relatively small improvements on the Borah-
West constraint may result in the Midpoint-
West constraint limiting east-to-west transfers.
Any significant improvement in the east-to-west
transfers will more than likely require
considerable upgrades to both the Borah-West
and Midpoint-West paths. The addition of a
new combustion turbine at the Danskin site near
Mountain Home, Idaho will necessitate
transmission improvements to the Midpoint-
West path. The most significant improvements
are the addition of two new 230 kV transmission
lines~ one in the area around Mountain Home
Idaho from the Bennett Mountain 173 MW
combustion turbine to the combustion turbines
at the Danskin site north of Mountain Home and
the other 230 kV line from the Danskin site to
the Mora Substation near Boise.
Regional Transmission
Organizations
In 1999, the FERC issued Order 2000 to
encourage voluntary membership in regional
transmission organizations (RTOs). FERC
Order 2000 precipitated considerable activity
within the Pacific Northwest focused on the
decisions about whether to create an R TO and
how it should operate. To date, the effort to
form an RTO in the Pacific Northwest has been
unsuccessful. Idaho Power will continue to be
an active participant in efforts to determine an
appropriate structure for provision of
transmission service within the Pacific
Northwest.
Off-System Purchases,
Sales , and Load-Following
Agreements
Idaho Power currently has two, fixed-term
off-system sales contracts. The contracts
expiration dates, and average sales amounts are
shown in Table 3-3 in Chapter 3.
The City of Weiser, Idaho has a full-
requirements , fixed-term sales contract with
Idaho Power. Under the full-requirements
contract, Idaho Power is responsible for
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 23
2. Idaho Power Company Today Idaho Power Company
supplying the entire load of the city. The City of
Weiser is located entirely within Idaho Power
load-control area.
A fixed-term sales contract with Raft River
Rural Electric Cooperative was established as a
full-requirements contract after being approved
by the FERC and the Public Utilities
Commission of Nevada. The Raft River
Cooperative is the electric distribution utility
serving Idaho Power s former customers in
Nevada. On April 2, 2001 , Idaho Power sold the
transmission and distribution facilities, along
with the rights-of-way that serve approximately
250 customers in northern Nevada and 90
customers in southern Owyhee County, Idaho
to the Raft River Cooperative. The area sold is
located entirely within Idaho Power
load-control area.
Idaho Power and Montana s NorthWestern
Energy have negotiated a load-following
agreement in which Idaho Power provides
NorthWestern Energy with 30 MW of
load- following service. The agreement includes
provisions allowing Idaho Power to receive
energy from NorthWestern Energy on the east
side of the system during summer months.
Renewal of the load-following agreement with
NorthWestern Energy will depend on a number
of factors, including the amount of wind
generation on Idaho Power s system. Idaho
Power also has a load-following agreement with
NorthWestern for serving its load in Salmon
Idaho, which is located in NorthWestern s load
control area. Both agreements are automatically
renewed each year with the consent of Idaho
Power and NorthWestern Energy.
Demand-Side Management
Idaho Power includes DSM programs along
with supply-side resources and transmission
interconnections in the IRP resource stack.
Idaho Power develops and implements demand-
side programs to help manage energy demand.
The two primary objectives of the DSM
programs are to:
1. Acquire cost-effective resources in order
to more efficiently meet the electrical
systems needs; and
2. Provide Idaho Power customers with
programs and information to help them
manage their energy use and lower their
bills.
Idaho Power achieves the two objectives
through the development and implementation of
programs with specific energy, economic, and
customer objectives. Under the DSM umbrella
the programs fall into four categories: Demand
Response, Energy Efficiency, Market Trans-
formation, and Other Programs and Activities.
During 2005, the IPUC approved Idaho Power
request to increase the Rider from 0.5 to 1.
of base rate revenues (Case No. IPC-04-29).
The funding increase became effective on
June 1 2005. In July 2005 , Idaho Power filed a
request with the OPUC to implement a Rider in
its Oregon service area. The Oregon Rider is
identical to the Rider approved in Idaho. The
OPUC approved the Oregon Rider in August
2005 (Advice No. 05-03).
Idaho Power relies on the input from the EEAG
to provide customer and public interest review
ofDSM programs. Formed in 2002 and meeting
several times annually, the EEAG currently
consists of 12 members representing a
cross-section of customer segments including
residential, industrial, commercial, irrigation
elderly, low-income, and environmental
interests as well as members representing the
Public Utility Commissions ofIdaho and
Oregon and Idaho Power. In addition to the
EEAG, Idaho Power solicits further customer
input through stakeholder groups in the
industrial, irrigation, and commercial customer
segments.
Page 24 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 2. Idaho Power Company Today
In 2005 , Idaho Power agreed to a renewal
agreement funding the Northwest Energy
Efficiency Alliance (Alliance) for five years
(2005-2009). The Alliance s efforts in the
Pacific Northwest affect Idaho Power
customers through the regional market
transformation efforts as well as providing
structural support for Idaho Power s local
market transformation programs. Idaho Power
continues to leverage the support provided by
the Alliance in the development and marketing
of local programs, resulting in efficiencies of
program implementation.
In October 2005 , Idaho Power began its fifth
year of a five-year agreement with the BP A
through the Conservation and Renewable
Discount (C&RD) program. Idaho Power
operates several programs with the C&RD
funding including Energy House Calls and
Rebate Advantage. The BP A has introduced a
replacement program called the Conservation
Rate Credit (CRC) program available from
2007-2009 and Idaho Power will be eligible for
early participation.
Overview of Program Performance
In 2005 , DSM programs at Idaho Power
continued to grow and to show steady
improvement in customer satisfaction. The six
programs identified for implementation in the
2004 IRP were in place and operating by the
end of2005. The two Demand Response
programs-Irrigation Peak Rewards and A/C
Cool Credit-resulted in a reduction of
summertime peak-hour load of over 43 MW.
The four Energy Efficiency programs-
Industrial Efficiency, Commercial Building
Efficiency, ENERGY STAR
(j\)
Homes
Northwest, and Irrigation Efficiency Rewards-
resulted in an annual savings of 13 946 MWh.
In addition to the DSM programs identified in
the 2004 IRP, during 2005 Idaho Power
operated several other Energy Efficiency
programs targeting residential customers
including: Weatherization Assistance for
Qualified Customers (previously known as Low
Income Weatherization Assistance program, or
LIW A), Energy House Calls , Rebate
Advantage, and Oregon Residential
Weatherization. In 2005 , Idaho Power also
joined the regional Savings with a Twist
program sponsored by BP A. This program
provides Idaho Power customers with
low-priced compact fluorescent light (CFL)
bulbs in local retail stores. These five residential
energy-efficiency programs created a savings of
756 MWh in 2005.
Idaho Power continues to realize significant
Market Transformation benefits through Idaho
Power s partnership with the Alliance, which
estimates 20 054 MWh were saved in Idaho
Power s service area in 2005. Idaho Power also
participated in small demonstration projects and
educational opportunities with an estimated
savings of 512 MWh in 2005.
Table 2-6 shows the 2005 annual energy savings
and summer peak reduction associated with
each of the DSM program categories. The
energy savings totaled 41 267.5 MWh and the
estimated peak reduction was 47.5 MW during
the 2005 summer peak. All energy statistics
presented in this report are net of transmission
line losses unless otherwise noted.
Table 2-6. 2005 DSM Energy and Peak Impact
MWh Peak MW
43.
2.4
Demand Response .......................
Energy Efficiency..........................
Market Transformation ."'.".".'."'"
Other Programs and Activities.......
Total 2005
\ Based on annual aMW
701.
053.
512.
267.47.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 25
2. Idaho Power Company Today Idaho Power Company
, ', .
Page 26 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
3. PLANNI!"jG
PERiOD FORECASTS
3. Planning Period Forecasts
Table 3-Load Forecast Probability
Boundaries (aMW)
Growth Forecast
Low Expected High
Year Load Load Load
2005 (Actual)693 693 693
2006 710 1,7 46 783
2007 737 1,786 843
2008 1 ,763 822 895
2009 788 857 943
2010 816 892 993
2011 834 918 031
2012 851 942 067
2013 880 978 115
2014 909 014 163
2015 937 051 210
2016 967 089 258
2017 996 128 306
2018 027 167 355
2019 058 207 2,405
2020 090 248 456
2021 123 290 508
2022 157 333 561
2023 191 376 614
2024 226 2,419 669
2025 261 2,464 724
Growth Rate
(2005-2025)2.4%
Table 3-2 summarizes three forecasts that
represent Idaho Power s estimate of its annual
total load growth over the planning period
considering normal, 70th percentile and 90th
Idaho Power Company
Load Forecas1
Future demand for electricity by customers in
Idaho Power s service area is defined by a series
of six load forecasts, reflecting a range of load
uncertainty resulting from differing economic
growth and weather-related assumptions.
Table 3-1 summarizes three forecasts that
represent Idaho Power s estimate of the
boundaries of its annual total load growth over
the planning period considering economic and
demographic impacts on the load forecast
(normal weather is assumed). There is a 90
percent probability that Idaho Power s load
growth will exceed the Low Load Growth
Forecast, a 50 percent probability ofload
growth exceeding the Expected Load Growth
Forecast, and a 10 percent probability that load
growth will exceed the High Load Growth
Forecast. The projected 20-year average annual
compound growth rate in the expected load
forecast is 1.9 percent. Idaho Power believes the
Expected Load Growth Forecast is the most
likely forecast and uses this forecast as the basis
for further analysis of weather-related
uncertainties presented in Table 3-
Highlights
Idaho Power s average load is expected to grow at a rate of 1.9% annually throughout
the planning period.
The number of residential customers in Idaho Power s service area is expected to
increase from around 381 000 at the end of 2005 to nearly 571 000 by the end of the
planning period in 2025.
Based on recent history, Snake River streamflows are expected to continue to decline by
approximately 53 cfs per year which results in a loss of hydroelectric generation of
25-30 aMW annually.
Hydrologic conditions were worse than the 90th percentile in 2001 and worse than the
70th percentile from 2001-2005.
2006 I ntegrated Resource Plan Page 27
3. Planning Period Forecasts Idaho Power Company
percentile weather impacts (explained in more
detail below) on the Expected Load Growth
Forecast shown in Table 3-1. Idaho Power uses
the 70th percentile forecast as the basis for
resource planning. The 70th percentile forecast is
based on 70th percentile weather to forecast
average monthly load, 70th percentile water to
forecast hydro generation, and 95th percentile
monthly weather to forecast monthly peak-hour
load. The 70th percentile forecast is referenced
throughout the Integrated Resource Plan.
Table 3-2. Range of Total Load Growth
Forecasts (aMW)
Year Median Percentile Pf!rcentile
2005 (Actual)693 693 693
2006 746 786 855
2007 786 827 897
2008 822 864 935
2009 857 899 972
2010 892 935 008
2011 918 961 036
2012 942 986 061
2013 978 023 099
2014 014 059 136
2015 051 097 175
2016 089 135 213
2017 128 174 254
2018 167 214 294
2019 207 255 336
2020 248 295 377
2021 290 338 2,421
2022 333 381 2,465
2023 376 2,425 510
2024 2,419 2,469 555
2025 2,464 515 601
Growth Rate
(200&-2025)
Expected Load Forecast-
Economic Impacts
The expected load forecast represents the most
probable projection of service area load growth
during the planning period. The forecast for
total load growth is determined by summing the
load forecasts for individual classes of service
as described in Appendix A-Sales and Load
Forecast. For example, the expected total load
growth of 1.9 percent is comprised of residential
load growth of 1.8 percent, commercial load
growth of2.5 percent, no growth in the
irrigation sector, industrial load growth of 2.
percent, and additional firm load growth of 1.
percent.
Economic growth assumptions influence the
individual customer-class forecasts. The number
of service area households and various
employment projections, along with customer
consumption patterns, are used to form load
projections. Economic growth information for
Idaho and its counties can be found in
Appendix C-Economic Forecast.
The number of households in Idaho is projected
to grow at an annual average rate of 1.7 percent
during the 20-year forecast period. Growth in
the number of households within individual
counties in Idaho Power s service area differs
from statewide household growth patterns.
Service area household projections are derived
from individual county household forecasts.
Growth in the number of households within the
Idaho Power service area, combined with
estimated consumption per household, results in
the previously mentioned 1.8 percent residential
load growth rate. The number of residential
customers in Idaho Power s service area is
expected to increase 2.0 percent annually from
around 381 000 at the end of2005 to nearly
571 000 by the end of the planning period in
2025.
,~ '
Expected Load Forecast-
Weather Impacts
The expected case load forecast assumes median
temperatures and median precipitation meaning
there is a 50 percent chance that loads will
higher or lower than the expected case load
forecast due to colder-than-median or hotter-
than-median temperatures and wetter-than-
median or drier-than-median precipitation.
Since actual customer loads can vary
significantly depending upon weather
conditions, two alternative scenarios are
( .
Page 28 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 3. Planning Period Forecasts
analyzed to address load variability due to
weather. Idaho Power has generated load
forecasts for 70th percentile weather and 90th
percentile weather. Seventieth percentile
weather means that in seven out of 10 years, the
load is expected to be less than the forecast and
in three out of 10 years, the load is expected to
exceed the forecast. Ninetieth percentile load
has a similar definition.
Cold winter days create high heating load. Hot
dry summers create both high cooling and
irrigation loads. Heating degree-days (HDD),
cooling degree-days (CDD), and growing
degree-days (GDD) are used to quantify the
weather and estimate a load forecast. In the
winter, maximum load occurs with the highest
recorded levels of HDD. In the summer
maximum load occurs with the highest recorded
levels of CDD and GDD. These concepts are
further explained in Appendix A-Sales and Load
Forecast.
F or example, according to the Boise Weather
Service, the median number ofHDD in
December over the 1948-2005 time period is
040 HDD. The coldest December over the
same time period was December 1985 when
there were 1 619 HDD recorded by the Boise
Weather Service.
" .
For December, the 70th percentile HDD is
069 HDD. The 70th percentile value is likely
to be exceeded in three out of 10 years on
average. The 90th percentile HDD is 1 185 HDD
and is likely to be exceeded in one out of 10
years on average. Forecast load percentile
calculations were used in each month
throughout the year for the weather-sensitive
customer classes which include residential
commercial, and irrigation customers. The 70
percentile is used to forecast average monthly
load for energy calculations, and the 95
percentile is used to forecast monthly peak-hour
load for generation and transmission capacity
calculations.
In the 70th percentile residential and commercial
load forecasts, temperatures in each month were
assumed to be at the 70th percentile of HDD in
winter and at the 70th percentile of CDD in the
summer. In the 70th percentile irrigation load
forecast, GDD were assumed at the 70
percentile and precipitation was assumed to be
at the 70th percentile, reflecting weather that is
both hotter and drier than median weather. The
90th percentile irrigation load forecast was
similarly constructed using weather values
measured at the 90th percentile.
Idaho Power s total load is highly dependent
upon weather. The three scenarios allow careful
examination of load variability and how the load
variability may impact resource requirements. It
is important to understand the probabilities
associated with the load forecasts apply to any
given month and an extreme month may not
necessarily be followed by another extreme
month. In fact, a typical year likely contains
some extreme months as well as some mild
months.
Weather conditions are the primary factor
affecting the load forecast on the hourly, daily,
weekly, monthly, and seasonal time horizon.
Economic and demographic. conditions affect
the load forecast over the long-term horizon.
Micron Technology
Micron Technology is currently Idaho Power
largest individual customer. In the 2006 IRP
forecast, electricity sales to Micron Technology
are expected to steadily rise throughout the
forecast period. The primary driver of long-term
electricity sales growth at Micron Technology is
employment growth in the Electronic
Equipment sector as provided by the 2006
Economic Forecast. Presently, Micron s load is
approaching 80 aMW.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 29
3. Planning Period Forecasts
Idaho National Lab.oratory
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a U.
Department of Energy (DOE) research facility
located in eastern Idaho. The INL is operated
for the DOE by Battelle Energy Alliance , LLC
which includes the Battelle Memorial Institute
teamed with several institutions including
BWXT Services Inc., Washington Group
International, the Electric Power Research
Institute, and the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. The laboratory employs about
000 people. Historically, INL has operated
several experimental nuclear reactors and
generated a significant portion of its energy
needs. Today, the laboratory is a special
contract customer of Idaho Power with an
average load of around 20 aMW and a
peak-hour demand of nearly 40 MW.
Simp/of Fertilizer
The Simplot fertilizer plant is the largest
producer of phosphate fertilizer in the western
United States. In August 2002, Simp lot closed
the ammonia production facility and the
ammonia is now purchased from an outside
suppler. Electricity usage at the Simp lot facility
is expected to increase at a very slow rate of
growth in the future. Employment in the
Chemical and Allied Products sector is the
primary indicator used to forecast the use of
electricity at the Simplot fertilizer plant.
Firm Sales Contracts
Idaho Power currently has two firm sales
contracts. The contracts , expiration dates, and
2006 average load are shown in Table 3-
The contract with Raft River Rural Electric
Cooperative expires on September 30, 2006.
However, the Raft River Cooperative may
renew the agreement on a year-to-year basis for
five additional one-year terms which would
extend service until September 30, 2011. The
load forecasts in the 2006 IRP assume that
Idaho Power will continue to serve the Raft
Idaho Power Company
River Cooperative contract over the entire
planning period (2006-2025). However, the
2008 IRP will assume the contract is not
extended beyond September 30, 2011. Idaho
Power anticipates that the contract with the City
of Weiser will not be renewed and is, therefore
not included in the forecast period after 2006.
Table 3-3. Firm Sales Contracts
' '
Contract Expiration
2006
Average
Load
City of Weiser (Idaho) .............. Dec. 31 2006 6 aMW
Raft River Rural Electric
Cooperative (Nevada) .......... Sept. 30, 2006 6 aMWTotal Firm Sales 12 aMW
Idaho Power will continue to evaluate the value
of firm sales contracts in the future. With the
exception of the Raft River Cooperative
contract, Idaho Power has not included the
renewal of any term off-system sales contracts
in its load forecast.
Hydro Forecast
The representative hydrologic conditions used
for analysis in the 2006 IRP (the 50t\ 70t\ and
90th percentiles) are based on a computed
hydrologic record for the Snake River Basin
from 1928-2002. The historical record has been
developed by the Idaho Department of Water
Resources (IDWR) for the purpose of obtaining
a hydrologic period of record of sufficient
length to validate probability-based decisions.
For example, a median (50th percentile)
hydrologic condition based on a 75-year
hydrologic period of record is generally
considered more representative of true median
conditions than the condition derived from a
50-year period of record. Table 3-4 shows the
April through July Brownlee inflow history
since 1993. The data reported in Table 3-4
indicate in six of the recent years the Brownleeth inflows were at or below the 70 percentI e
planning criterion, and in two of those years
1994 and 2001 , the flows were at or below the
90th percentile planning criterion.
, ;. .'-... .
Page 30 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company
Table 3-Recent Brownlee Inflow History
Worse Worse
April-July than 70 than 90
Brownlee Percentile Percentile
Inflow Planning Planning
Year (MAF)Rank Criterion Criterion
1993
1994
1995
1996 8.4
1997
1998
1999
2000 4.4
2001 2.4
2002
2003
2004
2005
Water management facilities , irrigation
facilities, and operations in the Snake River
Basin changed greatly during the 20th Century.
Therefore , for a hydrologic record to be
meaningful from a planning perspective, the
hydrologic record should reflect the current
level of development in the Snake River Basin.
The process followed by IDWR in developing
the hydrologic record involves modifying the
actual historical record to account for
development, present baseflow, current system
operations, and existing facilities. For example
prior to the late 1940s, the primary irrigation
method used was flood irrigation. Since the
early 1900s , the construction of storage
reservoirs and canal systems in southern Idaho
has led to less water in the Snake River. Over
the past 50 years , there has also been a
significant conversion from flood to sprinkler
irrigation, and from surface-supplied irrigation
to groundwater-supplied irrigation. There has
also been a significant additional amount of
groundwater-irrigated land put into production
over the past 50 years resulting in reduced
spring-fed contributions to the river. As a result
of these changes over the years, the natural flow
hydro graph has been altered. The timing and
volume of the natural flow, in the river and from
the springs, has changed. The changes are built
3. Planning Period Forecasts
into IDWR's standardized hydrologic record
(1928-2002), which is produced by IDWR'
depleted flow model, to reflect today s system.
Idaho Power uses the IDWR standardized
hydrologic record, plus actual flows for 2003
and 2004, in the hydro generation modeling
performed for its Integrated Resource Plan.
Part of the process by which the historical
record is standardized involves adjusting the
actual flows to a level of baseflow that is
representative of the conditions existing today.
Baseflow is defined as that portion of
streamflow derived primarily from groundwater
seepage into the stream channel. Observed
records suggest that baseflow in the Snake
River, particularly between Idaho Power s Twin
Falls and Swan Falls projects, has been
declining for several decades. The yearly
average flow measured below Swan Falls has
declined at an average rate of 53 cubic feet per
second (cfs) per year from 1960-2005. In
addition, observed streamflow gains between
Twin Falls and Lower Salmon Falls, which are
largely attributed to baseflow contribution, have
declined at a rate of 29 cfs/year over the same
period. A decrease of 53 cfs per year represents
the loss of over 38 400 acre-feet of water per
year, and a hydro generation loss of
approximately 153 aMW in 2005 as compared
to 1960. If the trend continues, the reduction in
hydro generation due to declining baseflow may
reach 183 aMW by 2015.
The observed decline, which continues today, is
due to consumptive groundwater withdrawals
and has been exacerbated by recent drought
conditions. Since the 2004 IRP, IDWR has
updated its standardized hydrologic record to
reflect the present condition of the Snake River
Basin as based on data through September 2002.
The previous version of the hydrologic record
used for the 2004 IRP assumed a present
condition as based on data through September
1992. The updated record more accurately
reflects the decreased baseflow in the river
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 31
3. Planning Period Forecasts Idaho Power Company
system. As an example, the assumed annual
average streamflow gain between Twin Falls
and Lower Salmon Falls for the period
1928-1992 was 5 260 cfs in the previously used
IDWR hydrologic record, and is only 4 790 cfs
in the newly updated version. The results mean
that the present condition assumed by IDWR for
the Twin Falls to Lower Salmon Falls reach
gain, which is largely attributed to baseflow
contribution, has declined on an annual average
basis by approximately 470 cfs because of
changes in basin hydrology observed from
1992-2002. The 470 cfs decline translates to a
hydro generation loss of 25-30 aMW on an
annual basis. In large part because of the
changing nature of the Snake River Basin
hydrologic characteristics, IDWR has expressed
its intent to update the standardized record more
frequently in the future. The updates will be
critical in ensuring that the standardized record
continues to reflect present Snake River Basin
conditions, and the hydro generation levels
computed under the various hydrologic
conditions are consistent with the associated
probabilities assumed in Idaho Power
Integrated Resource Plans.
Generation Forecast
The generation forecast includes existing and
committed resources. The output from the two
committed resources, the Danskin addition
(170 MW available in 2008), and the Shoshone
Falls upgrade (49 MW available in 2010) are
included in Idaho Power s generation forecast.
Scheduled and forced outages are also
incorporated in the forecast using historical
data. Idaho Power used planned maintenance
and traditional maintenance schedules to
estimate scheduled outages. Forced outages
were estimated using observed forced outage
rates at the various facilities randomly assigned
throughout the planning period. The hydro
facility generation is directly related to the
hydro forecast discussed earlier.
Transmission Forecast
Transmission constraints are an important factor
in Idaho Power s ability to reliably serve peak-
hour load conditions. Off-system spot market
purchases are the last resort Idaho Power
employs when its generating resources and firm
purchases are inadequate to meet peak-hour load
requirements. The transmission constraints on
Idaho Power s system limit its ability to import
off-system market purchases during certain
seasons and system conditions.
The transmission analysis requires hourly
forecasts for the entire 20-year planning period
for loads and generation levels on Idaho
Power s system. The hourly transmission
analysis is used to quantify the magnitude of
off-system market purchases that may be
required to serve the load, and determine if there
will be adequate transmission capacity available
to deliver the off-system purchases to the load
centers.
'-. '" ,\. '
From the hourly load and generation forecasts, a
determination can be made regarding the need
for, and magnitude of, off-system market
purchases needed to serve system load. The
projected off-system market purchases are
summed with all other committed transmission
obligations to determine if the resulting
transmission load will exceed the operational
limits ofldaho Power s transmission
constraints.
The analysis assumes all off-system market
purchases will come from the Pacific
Northwest. Historically, during Idaho Power
peak-hour load periods, off-system market
purchases from other areas have often times
proven to be unavailable or very expensive.
Many of the utilities to the east and south of
Idaho Power also experience a summer peak
and the weather conditions that drive the
summer peak are often similar across the
Intermountain and Rocky Mountain West.
Page 32 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company
Idaho Power believes it would not be prudent to
rely on imports from the Rocky Mountain
region for planning purposes.
Three different hydro generation/load scenarios
are considered in the transmission analysis:
1. Median water median load
percentile peak-hour load
2. Seventieth percentile water and 70th
percentile load
th percentile
peak-hour load
3. Ninetieth percentile water and 70th
percentile load
th percentile
peak-hour load
The results of the 90th percentile water, 70th
percentile load, and 95th percentile peak-hour
load case are given the most weight in the
transmission adequacy analysis, since this is the
most extreme of the three scenarios.
One difficulty with transmission planning is
while transmission resources are owned by a
specific entity, they can be utilized by other
parties due to the FERC's open access
requirements. Idaho Power must reserve the use
of its own transmission resources under open
access as well. Often, Snake River flow
forecasts for the rest of the year are not known
with a high degree of accuracy until Mayor
June. By that time it is potentially too late to
acquire firm transmission capacity for the
summer months.
Because of generation and transmission capacity
concerns, Idaho Power believes the 95
percentile peak-hour load planning criterion is
appropriate for the transmission analysis. The
th percentile peak-hour load planning criterion
means that there is a one-in-twenty chance
Idaho Power will be required to initiate more
drastic measures such as curtailing load if
attempts to acquire energy and transmission
3. Planning Period Forecasts
access from the east and south markets are
unsuccessful.
The results of the transmission analysis using
90th percentile water, 70th percentile load, andth percentile peak-hour load scenario were
used to establish a capacity target for planning
purposes. The capacity target identifies the
amount of internal generation, demand-side
programs, or transmission resources that must
be added to Idaho Power s system to avoid
capacity deficits.
Fuel Price Forecasts
Coal Price Forecast
The IRP expected coal price forecast is an
average ofldaho Power s coal forecasts for its
Valmy and Jim Bridger thermal plants. In
addition, the IRP used a Wyoming-specific coal
forecast for use in modeling prices for a
resource located in Wyoming and a regional
coal price forecast for a non-location specific
regional coal resource. The coal price forecasts
were created using current coal and rail
transportation market information, private
forecasts, and the Global Insight 2006 u.S.
Power Outlook report. The resulting costs in
dollars-per-MMBTU represent the delivered
cost of coal, including rail costs, coal costs, and
use taxes. A summary of each of the coal price
forecasts can be found in Appendix D-Technical
Appendix.
Natural Gas Price Forecast
Idaho Power does not directly forecast natural
gas prices; instead it combines industry
forecasts developed by outside consultants as
well as forecasts from published sources. The
IRP expected gas price forecast is derived from
public and private source forecasts including
IGI Resources, NYMEX, PIRA, EIA, NWPCC
and u.S. Power Outlook. All source forecasts
are converted to nominal dollars and then
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 33
3. Planning Period Forecasts Idaho Power Company
converted to dollars-per-MMBTU at the Sumas
trading hub. Each source forecast is given a
weight and included in a total weighted average
in order to forecast Sumas dollars-per-MMBTu.
Transportation costs are then added to the
weighted average price to develop a delivered
Sumas price in dollars-per-MMBTu. The
transportation costs also include Northwest
Pipeline s fixed and volumetric charges as well
as fuel gas.
The IRP high gas price forecast was derived by
trending the NYMEX and IGI Resource
forecasts for the period 2006-2009. This data
was then trended from 2009-2013 to achieve a
$1.00/MMBTU increase over the NWPCC high
case starting in 2014 and thereafter. The IRP
low gas price forecast was derived using the
2004 IRP expected case gas price forecast. Fuel
forecast values are included in Appendix
Technical Appendix.
" ,( ,, -
Page 34 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 4. Future Requirements
FUTURE REQUIREMENTS
Idaho Power has an obligation to serve customer
loads regardless of hydrologic conditions. In the
past, when water conditions were at low levels
Idaho Power relied on market purchases to serve
customer loads. Historically, Idaho Power
plan was to acquire or construct resources to
eliminate expected energy deficiencies in every
month of the forecast period whenever median
or better water conditions existed, recognizing
when water levels were below median, it would
rely on market purchases to meet any deficits.
When water levels were greater than median
Idaho Power would sell the surplus power in the
regional markets.
In connection with the market price movements
to historical highs during the energy crisis of
2000 and 2001 , Idaho Power reevaluated the
planning criteria as part of preparing the 2002
IRP. The public, the IPUC, and the Idaho
Legislature all suggested Idaho Power placed
too great a reliance on market purchases based
upon the IRP planning criteria. Greater planning
reserve margins or the use of more conservative
water planning criteria were suggested as
methods requiring Idaho Power to acquire more
firm resources and reduce reliance on market
purchases during low water years.
\PJater Planning Criteria
for Resource Adequacy
Beginning with the 2002 IRP, Idaho Power
specified a resource adequacy standard
requiring new resources be acquired at the time
the resources are needed to meet forecasted
energy growth, assuming a water condition at
the 70th percentile for hydroelectric generation.
The 70th percentile means Idaho Power plans
generation based on a level of streamflow that is
exceeded in seven out of ten years on average.
Streamflow conditions are expected to be worse
than the planning criteria in three out of ten
years , or 30 percent of the time. The 2006 IRP is
the third resource plan wherein Idaho Power is
using the 70th percentile water and 70th
percentile average load conditions for energy
planning.
Using the 70th percentile water planning
criterion produces surpluses whenever
streamflows are greater than the 70th percentile.
Temporary off-system sales of surplus energy
and capacity provide additional revenue and
reduce the costs to Idaho Power customers.
During months when Idaho Power faces an
energy or capacity deficit because of low
streamflow, excessive demand, or for any other
reason, it plans to purchase off-system energy
Highlights
Idaho Power uses 70th percentile average load and 70th percentile water conditions for
energy planning.
For peak-hour capacity planning, Idaho Power uses 90th percentile water conditions and
95th percentile peak-hour loads.
~ Peak-hour load deficiencies are greater than 500 MW by 2011 , and approximately
800 MW by 2025.
The lack of available transmission capacity limits Idaho Power s ability to import
additional energy during the summertime.
Idaho Power currently maintains a capacity reserve margin of approximately 11 %.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 35
4. Future Requirements Idaho Power Company
and capacity on a short-term basis to meet
system requirements.
During the summer peak periods, low water
conditions are more problematic than are high
load conditions. The variability around the
summer peak load is considerably less than the
variability associated with water conditions. For
example, April-July Brownlee inflow can range
from under two million acre-feet to just over
million acre-feet. Summer high temperatures
range from 98-111 degrees, meaning hot
summer temperatures are more certain than are
water conditions and low water conditions are
likely to be the more significant planning factor.
Low water scenarios have been evaluated and
included in the 2006 IRP to demonstrate the
viability of Idaho Power s plan to serve average
and peak loads under low water conditions. Low
water conditions are defined with the 90th
percentile meaning Idaho Power can expect the
low water conditions to occur in one out of ten
years. The evaluations also include
consideration ofIdaho Power s transmission
capability at times of lower streamflows.
The water planning criterion used by other
utilities in the Pacific Northwest varies from
median or 50th percentile conditions to extreme
or critical water conditions. Critical water
conditions are generally defined to be the worst
or nearly worst, annual water conditions ever
experienced based on historical streamflow
records. Idaho Power utilizes a 70th percentile
water planning criterion which is more
conservative that median conditions, but less
conservative when compared to critical water
conditions. A summary of other Pacific
Northwest utility planning criteria is included in
Appendix D- Technical Appendix.
Transmission Adequacy
Historically, Idaho Power has been able to
reasonably plan for the use of short-term power
purchases to meet temporary water related
generation deficiencies on its own system.
Short-term power purchases have been
successful because Idaho Power is a
summer-peaking utility while the majority of
other utilities in the Pacific Northwest region
experience peak loads during the winter.
The transmission adequacy analysis reflects
Idaho Power s contractual transmission
obligations to provide wheeling service to the
BP A loads in southern Idaho. The BP A loads
are typically served with a combination of
energy and capacity from the Pacjfic Northwest
and several BOR projects located in southern
Idaho. The contractual transmission obligations
are detailed in four Network Service
Agreements under the Idaho Power Open
Access Transmission Tariff.
( i
Although Idaho Power has transmission
interconnections to the Southwest, the Pacific
Northwest market is the preferred source of
purchased power. The Pacific Northwest market
has a large number of participants, high'
transaction volume, and is very liquid. The
accessible power markets south and east of
Idaho Power s system tend to be smaller, less
liquid, and have greater transmission distances.
In addition, the markets south and east of Idaho
Power s system can be very limited during
summer peak conditions.
Recent history has shown even when power is
available from the Pacific Northwest market
short-term prices can be quite high and volatile.
The price risk has led to the development of the
Energy Risk Management Policy discussed in
Chapter 1. The Energy Risk Management Policy
represents the collaboration of Idaho Power, the
IPUC staff, and interested customers in
Commission Case IPC-01-16.
Prior to 2000, Idaho Power s IRPs often
emphasized acquisition of energy rather than
construction of generating resources to satisfy
load obligations. Transmission limitations were
not a major impediment to Idaho Power
Page 36 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 4. Future Requirements
purchasing power to meet its service
obligations. Idaho Power recognized
transmission constraints began to place limits on
purchased power supply strategies starting with
the 2000 IRP. To better assess power supply
requirements and available transmission, the
2006 IRP contains an analysis of transmission
system constraints for the 20-year planning
period. (See Chapter 2)
Piann~ng Reserve ~J1argjn
In the past, the Western Electricity Coordinating
Council (WECC) required Idaho Power to
maintain 330 MW of reserves above the forecast
peak-hour load to cover the worst single
planning contingency which was defined to be
an unexpected loss equal to Idaho Power s share
of two Jim Bridger generation units. At present
the WECC has dropped the planning reserve
requirements. However, the North American
Electric Reliability Council has approved
measures requiring the WECC to reinstate some
form of planning reserve requirements. Idaho
Power will continue meeting the historical
WECC planning reserve requirements under any
planning scenario until new planning
requirements are established. Idaho Power
record peak-hour load is 3 084 MW, which
means the current, self-imposed reserve
requirement of 330 MW is equal to a reserve
margin of approximately 11 percent.
The future resource requirements of Idaho
Power are not based directly on the need to meet
a specified reserve margin. Idaho Power
long-term resource planning is instead driven by
the objective to develop resources sufficient to
meet higher than expected load conditions under
lower than expected water conditions which
effectively provides a reserve margin. As a part
of preparing the 2006 IRP, Idaho Power has
calculated the capacity reserve margin resulting
from the resource development identified in the
preferred portfolio. In this process, the total
resources available to meet demand consist of
those made available under the preferred
portfolio plus generation from existing and
committed resources assuming expected water
conditions. The generation from existing
resources also includes expected firm purchases
contracted with surrounding regional markets.
The resource total is then compared with
expected peak-hour loading, with the excess
resource designated as reserve margin. This
provides an alternative view of the adequacy of
the preferred portfolio, which was developed to
meet more stringent load conditions under less
favorable water conditions. Capacity reserve
calculations for each year throughout the
plam1ing period are included in Appendix D-
Technical Appendix.
Salmon Recovery Program
and Resource Adequacy
The December 1994 amendments to the
Northwest Power Planning Council's fish and
wildlife program and the biological opinions
issued under the ESA for the four lower Snake
River federal hydroelectric projects call for
427 000 acre-feet of water to be acquired by the
federal government from willing lessors
upstream of Brownlee Reservoir. The acquired
water is then to be released during the spring
and summer months to assist ESA -listed
juvenile salmonids (spring, summer, and fall
chinook and steelhead) migrating past the four
federal hydroelectric projects on the lower
Snake River. In the past, water releases from
Idaho Power s hydroelectric generating plants
have been modified to cooperate with the
federal efforts. Idaho Power also adjusts flows
in the late fall of each year to assist with the
spawning of fall chinook below the Hells
Canyon Complex.
Because of the practical, physical, and legal
constraints federal interests must deal with in
moving 427 000 acre-feet of water out of Idaho
in the past Idaho Power has pre-released, or
shaped, a portion of the acquired water with
water from Brownlee Reservoir and later
refilled the reservoir with water leased under the
federal program. At times, Idaho Power has also
contributed water from Brownlee Reservoir to
2006 I ntegrated Resource Plan Page 37
4. Future Requirements Idaho Power Company
assist with the federal efforts to improve salmon
migration past the federal government s lower
Snake River projects.
Planning Scenarios
The timing and necessity of future generation
resources are based on a 20-year forecast of
surpluses and deficiencies for monthly average
load (energy) and peak-hour load. For both of
these areas, one set of criteria has been chosen
for planning purposes; however, additional
scenarios have been analyzed to provide a
comparison. Table 4-1 provides a summary of
six planning scenarios analyzed for the 2006
IRP and the criteria used for planning purposes
are shown in bold. Median water and median
load forecast scenarios were included to enable
comparison of the 2006 IRP with plans
developed during the 1990s. The median
forecast is no longer used for resource planning,
although the median forecast is used to set retail
rates and avoided-cost rates during regulatory
proceedings. The planning criteria used to
prepare Idaho Power s 2006 IRP. is consistent
with the criteria used in the 2004 Integrated
Resource Plan.
Table 4-1. Planning Criteria for Average Load
and Peak-Hour Load
Average Load/Energy (aMW)
th Percentile Water, 50th Percentile Average Load
th Percentile Water, 70th Percentile Average Load
th Percentile Water, 70th Percentile Average Load
Peak-Hour Load (MW)
th Percentile Water, 90th Percentile Peak-Hour Load
th Percentile Water, 95th Percentile Peak-Hour Load
th Percentile Water, 95th Percentile Peak-Hour Load
The planning criteria used for energy or average
load are 70th percentile water and 70th percentile
average load. In addition, 50th percentile water
and 50th percentile average load conditions are
analyzed to represent a median condition, and
90th percentile water and 70th percentile average
load are analyzed to examine the effects of low
water conditions.
Peak-hour load planning criteria consist of 90th
percentile water and 95th percentile peak-hour
load conditions, coupled with Idaho Power
ability to import additional energy on its
transmission system. A median condition of 50th
percentile water and 50th percentile peak-hour
load are also analyzed, as well as 70th percentile
water and 95th percentile peak-hour load.
Peak-hour load planning criteria are more
stringent than average load planning criteria
because Idaho Power s ability to import
additional energy is typically limited during
peak-hour load periods.
Surpluses and deficiencies for the average and
peak-hour load scenarios used for planning
purposes can be found in Figures 4-1 and 4-
Surpluses and deficiencies for the scenarios not
used for planning purposes can be found in
Appendix D- Technical Appendix.
Average Load (Energy)
The planning criteria for determining the needth for energy resources assumes 7 percent! e
water and 70th percentile average load
conditions. In purely statistical terms, if the two
probabilities-average load and hydrological
conditions-are independent, then one of the
two conditions-either poor water conditions
high average load conditions-can be expected
in about half of the years.
Figure 4-1 indicates under 70th percentile water
and 70th percentile average load conditions
energy deficiencies occur in July 2006
(35 aMW) and July 2007 (88 aMW). These
initial deficiencies are due to the postponement
of the 170 MW natural gas-fired unit at the
Danskin Project. This new unit, which was
identified in the 2004 IRP and was originally
scheduled to come on-line in April 2007, is now
expected to be operational by April 2008.
Long-term summer deficiencies begin in July
2009 at 15 aMW and are expected to grow to
859 aMW by July 2025.
Page 38 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
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Idaho Power Company 4. Future Requirements
A wintertime deficiency of 87 aMW occurs in
November 2012 due to Idaho Power
cooperative effort to pass water for salmon
migration. Under the assumption Idaho Power
will continue to adjust flows in the Hells
Canyon Complex to aid salmon migration, the
deficiencies in November are expected to
continue to grow throughout the planning period
to 586 aMW in November 2025. Deficiencies in
December, which are more indicative of
wintertime customer demand, start at 7 aMW in
2014 and grow to 430 aMW in 2025.
This analysis assumes Idaho Power
combustion turbines are in service and available
to operate up to permitted limits. Although these
turbines are available to meet monthly energy
deficiencies, market purchases imported via the
transmission system will most likely be the
preferred alternative whenever transmission
import capacity from the Pacific Northwest is
available.
Peak~Hour Load
Peak-hour load deficiencies are determined
using 90th percentile water and 95th percentile
peak-hour load conditions, coupled with Idaho
Power s ability to import additional energy on
its transmission system to reduce any deficits. In
addition to these criteria, 70th percentile average
load conditions are assumed; but the hydrologic
peak-hour load and transmission constraint
criteria are the major factors in determining the
peak-hour load deficiencies. Peak-hour load
planning criteria are more stringent than average
load criteria because Idaho Power s ability to
import additional energy is typically limited
during peak-hour load periods.
Figure 4-2 indicates under 90th percentile water
and 95th percentile peak-hour load conditions
deficiencies exist during summer months
throughout the planning period. Summer
deficiencies from 2006-2010 remain between
350 to 400 MW due to the addition of the
natural gas unit at the Danskin Project in April
2008 and the expansion of the Shoshone Falls
Project in 2010. For the remainder of the
planning period, deficiencies in July increase
from 450 MW to 1 800 MW in 2025.
Figure 4-3 indicates the amount of the peak-
hour deficit (identified in Figure 4-2) that
cannot be imported from the Pacific Northwest
over the existing transmission system under 90th
percentile water and 95th percentile peak-hour
load conditions. The remaining deficiencies
shown in Figure 4-3 also account for a reserve
margin of 330 MW as previously discussed.
In this analysis, a deficiency exists in July 2007
due to the postponement of the 170 MW natural
gas-fired unit at the Danskin Project. Beginning
in 2009 , long-term transmission deficiencies
occur in summer months and are expected to
grow to approximately 1 550 MW by 2025.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 41
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Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
5. POTENTiAL
RESOURCE PORTFOLIOS
Resource Cost Analysis
The costs of a variety of supply-side
transmission, and demand-side resources were
analyzed. Cost inputs and operating data used to
develop the resource cost analysis were derived
from various sources including the NWPCC
DOE, independent consultants, and regional
energy project developers. Resource costs are
presented as:
Levelized fixed cost per kW of installed
(nameplate) capacity per month, and
Totallevelized cost per MWh of
expected plant output or energy saved
given assumed capacity factors and other
operating assumptions.
The levelized costs for the various supply-side
and transmission alternatives include the cost of
capital, operating and maintenance,(O&M)
costs, fuel costs, and other applicable adders and
credits. The cost estimates used to determine the
cost of capital for the supply-side resources
include engineering development costs
generating and ancillary equipment purchase
costs, installation, applicable balance of plant
construction, and the costs for a generic
transmission interconnection to Idaho Power
network system. More detailed interconnection
and transmission system backbone upgrade
costs were estimated by Idaho Power
transmission planning group. These costs are
included in Chapter 6 and summarized in
Table 6-9. The cost of capital also includes
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
(AFUDC-capi talized interest).
The O&M portion of each resource ~ s levelized
cost includes general estimates for property
taxes and property insurance premiums. For the
transmission plus market purchase alternatives
the levelized costs include assumed wholesale
energy purchases at an estimated price of $60
per MWh.
The levelized costs for each of the demand-side
resource options include annual administrative
and marketing costs of the program, annual
incentive or rebate payments, and annual
participant costs. The demand-side resource
costs do not reflect the financial impact to Idaho
Power as a result of these load-reduction
programs.
Highlights
Based on the 3D-year cost of production , geothermal resources and demand-side
measures are the lowest cost resources, however transmission resources may be more
attractive depending on the market price of power.
~ Coal-fired generation falls in the middle of the resource cost list when considering either
fixed-cost or operating costs.
Simple-cycle combustion turbines continue to be the lowest cost peaking resource
based on low fixed costs, however, SCCTs have high operating costs due to the low
number of operating hours.
Twelve different portfolios were initially analyzed in the 2006 IRP , each designed to
explore a variety of different resource alternatives to meet forecasted energy and
capacity needs.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 43
5. Potential Resource Portfolios Idaho Power Company
Specific resource cost inputs, fuel forecasts, key
financing assumptions, and other operating
parameters are shown in Appendix D- Technical
Appendix.
Emission Adders for Fossil
File/.Based Resources
All resource alternatives have potential
environmental and other social costs that extend
beyond just the capital and operating costs
included in the cost of electricity. Fossil
fuel-based generating resources are particularly
sensitive to some of these costs and impacts. It
is likely that further emissions regulations will
be implemented during the period covered in the
2006 Integrated Resource Plan.
In the analysis, Idaho Power incorporated
estimates for the future costs of certain
emissions into the overall cost of the various
fossil fuel-based resources. Within the resource
cost analysis ranking, the levelized costs for the
various fossil fuel-based resources include
emission adders for carbon dioxide (CO2),
nitrogen oxides (NOx), and mercury. These
additional costs are assumed to begin in 2012.
Table 5-1 provides the emission adder rates
assumed in the analysis. Based on these
assumptions, Table 5-2 provides the emissions
cost per MWh for the various fossil fuel-based
resources that were analyzed. Emission adders
specifically for CO2 are discussed further in
Chapter 6.
Table 5-1. Emissions Adders for Fossil Fuel
Generating Resources-Base Case
Cost in 2006
Adder U.S. dollars
CO2............. $14 per ton
NOx.............. $2 600 per ton
Mercury ....... $1,443 per ounce
First Year
Applied
2012
2012
2012
Annual
Escalation
26%
26%
26%
Table 5-2. Emission Adders-Dollars per MWh
(2006 Dollars)-Base Case
Adder CO2
Pulverized Coal............ $12.26
IGCC............................ $11.
IGCC with Carbon
Sequestration ............ $1.
Fluidized Bed Coal....... $12.26
Simple-Cycle CT .........' $7.
Combined-Cycle CT..... $5.
NOx Hg Total
$0.37 $0.46 $13.
$0.60 $0.46 $12.
$0.31 $0.46 $3.
$0.87 $0.46 $13.
$0.10 $0.00 $8.
$0.00 $0.$5.
Production Tax Credits for
Renewable Generating Resources
Various federal tax incentives for renewable-
based generation were extended and/or renewed
within the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This
legislation requires most projects to be on-line
by December 31 , 2007, to be eligible for the
federal production tax credits (PTCs) identified
in Section 45 of the Internal Revenue Code. The
credit is earned on power produced by the
proj ect during the first 10 years of operation.
The credit, which is adjusted annually for
inflation is currently valued at $19 per MWh for
wind and geothermal resources.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding future
extensions of federal PTCs, wind and
geothermal resources are shown in the resource
cost analysis ranking both with and without the
PTC reflected in the overallievelized cost. For
the portfolio valuation discussed later in
Chapter 5 , the PTC is assumed to be extended
for projects that are on-line by the end of2011.
The federal PTC was not applied to geothermal
and wind projects assumed to come on-line after
2011.
30- Year Nominally Levelized Fixed
Cost per kW per Month
The annual fixed cost streams for each resource
were summed and levelized over a 30-year
operating life and presented as dollars per kW of
plant nameplate capacity per month. Figure 5-
provides a combined ranking of all the various
resource options, in order of lowest to highest
Page 44 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
levelized fixed cost per kW per month. The
ranking shows several of the transmission
alternatives, DSM programs, and simple-cycle
combustion turbine (SCCT) resources are the
lowest capacity cost alternatives.
30a Year Nominally LeveJjzed Cost
of Production (Base/oad and
Peaking Service Capacity Factors)
Certain resource alternatives carry low fixed
costs and high variable operating costs while
other alternatives require significantly higher
capital investment and subsequent fixed
operating costs, but have very low variable
operating costs. The levelized cost of production
measurement represents the estimated annual
cost per MWh for a resource based on some
expected level of energy output.
The calculations were performed assuming two
levels of annual energy output. First, the
levelized cost of production is shown assuming
expected baseload capacity factors (see
Figure 5-2). Second, the levelized cost of
production is shown assuming expected peaking
service capacity factors (see Figure 5-3).
Resources such as DSM measures, advanced
nuclear, geothermal, wind, and certain types of
thermal generation appear to be the lowest cost
for meeting baseload requirements, while other
resources like combustion turbines and
transmission alternatives are lowest cost for
meeting peaking requirements.
Resource Cost Analysis Results
Based on the 30-year cost of production, flashed
steam geothermal resources and demand-side
measures are the lowest cost resources;
however, transmission resources may be more
attractive, depending on the market price of
power. Coal-fired generation falls in the middle
of the list when considering either fixed-cost or
operating costs.
SCCTs, similar to Idaho Power s Danskin and
Bennett Mountain plants, are the lowest cost
peaking resource based on low fixed costs.
SCCTs do have high operating costs, but the
operating costs are not as important when the
resource is only used a limited number of hours
per year to meet peak demand.
Supply~Sids
Resource Options
Included below are descriptions and
characteristics of the various supply-side
resource alternatives analyzed in the 2006
Integrated Resource Plan.
Wind
A typical wind farm consists of a widespread
array of wind turbine generators ranging in size
from 1-3 MW each. The majority of the
potential wind sites in southern Idaho lie
between the south-central and the most
southeastern part of the state. Areas that receive
consistent, sustained winds greater than 15
miles per hour are prime locations for wind
development.
To date, southern Idaho has not proven to be as
optimal for wind development from a
meteorological perspective as some neighboring
states; however, several hundred megawatts of
wind generation have either been contracted
since 2004 or are currently under development.
The extension of the federal PTC has made the
financial aspects of wind generation attractive
and is a major reason substantial development is
occurring. There is significant debate regarding
the current stage of the industry, and uncertainty
surrounding the future extension of tax
incentives for wind generation. Without federal
tax incentives, RPSs, a carbon adder or high gas
prices, it may be several years before wind
generation can consistently compete
economically with other generation alternatives.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 45
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Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
In the 2006 IRP, Idaho Power has assumed the
federal PTC will be extended in its current form
for wind projects constructed and on-line by the
end of 2011.
To estimate wind resource output, Idaho Power
used a combination of data from wind
developers and the NWPCC. Wind output was
estimated for three time periods-annual
monthly, and hourly-during peak hours in
July. The estimate used for annual energy output
is based on a 31 percent capacity factor. The 31
percent capacity factor means that a wind
project with a nameplate capacity of 100 MW
will produce over 270 000 MWh, or an average
of 31 aMW over the course of a year.
Monthly energy output was derived from the
normalized monthly wind energy distribution
for areas characterized as Basin and Range
(which includes southern Idaho) in the
NWPCC's wind resource characterization
paper. The NWPCC distribution is included as
part of Appendix D- Technical Appendix.
Estimated wind output during peak-hour loads
in July is based on actual data provided by a
wind developer for a specific Idaho project. The
data indicate during July between the hours of
4 p.m. and 8 p., a 100 MW wind project will
produce 5 MW or more 70 percent of the time.
Based on wind data and the 70th percentile
planning criteria, Idaho Power assumes a
100 MW wind project would provide 5 MWof
capacity during summertime peak-hour loads.
The cost estimates and operating parameters for
wind generation in the 2006 IRP were based on
data from the NWPCC's Fifth Power Plan
(2005) and independent wind developers. Wind
resources included in the resource portfolios are
assumed to be located in south-central or
southeastern Idaho and within 25 miles of Idaho
Power s transmission system. All resource
portfolios contain at least 100 MW (nameplate)
of wind generation, and some resource
portfolios have up to 500 MW of additional
nameplate wind capacity over the 20-year
planning period.
From Idaho Power s perspective, one of the
largest unanswered questions is the cost of
integrating wind resources. Depending on wind
integrations costs, Idaho Power may increase or
decrease the amount of wind generation
included in the preferred portfolio.
Wind Advantages
Renewable resource
No fuel cost or associated risk
. No harmful emissions
Low, variable operating costs
Potentially provides green tags which
could satisfy Idaho Power s obligations
if an RPS is adopted by the federal
government, the State of Idaho, or the
State of Oregon
Wind Disadvantages
Limited number of economically
feasible sites in southern Idaho
Intermittent and non-dispatchable
resource
Capital cost uncertainty and volatility
Potential avian, cultural, and aesthetic
impacts
Uncertainty surrounding future tax
incentives
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 49
5. Potential Resource Portfolios Idaho Power Company
Geothermal-Binary and
Flash Steam Technologies
Potential commercial geothermal generation in
the Pacific Northwest includes both flashed
steam and binary cycle technologies. Based on
exploration to date in southern Idaho, binary
cycle geothermal development is more likely
than flashed steam within Idaho Power' s service
area. Most of the optimal locations for potential
geothermal development are believed to be in
the southeastern part of the state. However, the
potential for geothermal generation in southern
Idaho is somewhat uncertain. In addition, the
time required to discover and prove geothermal
resource sites is highly variable and can take
years or even decades.
The overall cost of a geothermal resource varies
with resource temperature, development size
and water availability. Flash steam plants are
applicable for geothermal resources where the
fluid temperature is 3000 Fahrenheit or greater.
Binary cycle technology is used for lower
temperature geothermal resources. In a binary
cycle geothermal plant, geothermal liquid is
brought to the surface using wells, and passed
through a heat exchanger where the geothermal
energy is transferred to a low boiling point fluid
(the secondary fluid). The secondary fluid is
vaporized and used to drive a turbine generator.
After driving the generator, the secondary fluid
is condensed and recycled through ~ heat
exchanger. The secondary fluid is reused
continuously in the binary cycle plant. The
primary fluid (the geothermal water) is returned
to the geothermal reservoir through injection
wells.
Cost estimates and operating parameters for
binary cycle geothermal generation in the IRP
are based on data from independent geothermal
developers and information from the
Geothermal Energy Association. Estimates for
flashed steam geothermal generation are based
on data from the NWPCC's Fifth Power Plan
(2005). Geothermal resources included in the
various portfolios are assumed to be located in
southeastern Idaho and within 25 miles of Idaho
Power s transmission system. Potential
generation studied in each of the various
portfolios ranged from 50 MW up to 400 MW
of additional geothermal capacity over the
20-year planning period.
,..
Geothermal Advantages
Renewable resource
. No harmful emissions
Minimal fuel risk once the geothermal
resource is located
Low, variable operating costs
Advertised high availability and capacity
factor (90%+)
Potentially provides green tags which
could satisfy Idaho Power s obligations
if an RPS is adopted by the federal
government, the State ofIdaho, or the
State of Oregon
. I
Geothermal Disadvantages
Unproven generation resource in Idaho
Significant capital and fixed costs
Capital cost uncertainty and volatility
High exploration costs
Uncertainty surrounding future tax
incentives
1..
Page 50 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
Pulverized Coal (Regional
yVyomjng, and Southern Idaho)
Coal- fired generation is a matUre technology
and has been the primary source of commercial
power production in the u.S. for many decades.
Traditional pulverized coal plants have been a
significant part of Idaho Power s generation mix
since the early 1970s. Idaho Power currently has
over 1 000 MW of pulverized coal generation in
service. All ofldaho Power s pulverized coal
generation is in neighboring states and is owned
with other regional utilities. Opportunities exist
to expand existing plants or develop new
projects in the Pacific Northwest and
Intermountain regions.
The coal-fired steam-electric plant uses coal
that is ground into a dust-like consistency and
burned to heat water and produce steam to drive
a steam turbine generator. Emission controls at
coal plants have become increasingly important
in recent years and many units in the region
have been upgraded to include the latest
scrubber and 10w-NOx burner technology to help
reduce harmful emissions and particulates.
Almost all new pulverized coal plants are built
with emission control technology. Coal has the
highest ratio of carbon to hydrogen of all the
fossil fuels and unless CO2 sequestration
provisions are incorporated in the project
design, all coal plants emit substantial amounts
of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Coal prices have declined or remained stable in
recent years. Coal price stability combined with
high gas prices and anticipated continued load
growth in the region has made development of
baseload coal resources economically attractive.
Even though coal-fired power plants require
significant capital commitments to develop,
coal- fired resources take advantage of a low-
cost fuel and provide reliable and dispatchable
energy. Coal supplies are abundant in the Rocky
Mountain west. The western coal supply is
sufficient to fuel Idaho Power s existing plants
and any new coal resources modeled in this plan
for many years to come.
Because the State of Idaho has chosen not to opt
into the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), a
new plant would have to be sited in a
neighboring state or an expansion at one of the
existing regional plants could be made. Siting a
coal resource in the areas where plants already
exist such as western Wyoming and Montana
provide the benefit of being much closer to the
regional coal supply. Coal-fired generation
plants such as the Jim Bridger facility can be
developed at the mine-mouth to reduce or even
eliminate fuel transportation costs. In addition
coal plant development in the coal reserve areas
may provide the benefit of a timelier permitting
and regulatory process than in jurisdictions
where coal-fired development does not currently
exist.
Three specific site options were considered in
the resource cost analysis to evaluate the
economic characteristics of coal-fired
generation plants. The first option is a generic
regional plant in a neighboring state to the east
or southeast which would be fueled by either
low-cost mine-mouth coal or railed coal, and
also require significant transmission
interconnection investment. The second siting
option is a plant located in southern Idaho with
the coal delivered by rai1. This option would
require significantly less transmission
interconnection investment. The third siting
option is the expansion of an existing pulverized
coal plant in Wyoming that would be fueled by
low-cost, mine-mouth coal and require
significant transmission interconnection
investment.
Cost estimates and operating parameters for
pulverized coal generation in the 2006 IRP are
based on data from an independent engineering
firm. Potential generation in the various
resource portfolios ranges from 250 MW up to
000 MW of additional pulverized coal
capacity over the 20-year planning period.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 51
5. Potential Resource Portfolios Idaho Power Company
Pulverized Coal Advantages
Abundant, low-cost fuel
Less price volatility than natural gas
Proven and reliable technology
Dispatchable resource
Well-suited for baseload operations
Pulverized Coal Disadvantages
Potential lack of public acceptance
Significant particulate and gas
emissions, particularly CO2
Potential financial risks associated with
future CO2 emissions
Significant capital investment
Long construction lead times
Lengthy environmental permitting and
si ting processes
Advanced Coal Technologies
(lGCC, CFB) and Carbon
Sequestration
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 identifies
substantial financial incentives for innovative
advanced coal technologies anticipated to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote
more efficient use of fossil fuel resources. A
majority of the advanced coal technologies
such as IGCC, circulating fluidized bed (CFB),
and carbon sequestration, are not in large scale
commercial operation in the United States due
to more affordable alternatives. In addition
many of the advanced coal technologies are
unproven and have never been put into
commercial operation. Nevertheless , the pursuit
of large-scale commercial development of
advanced coal energy resources is anticipated to
increase in the coming years due to the prospect
of a federal carbon tax and increasingly
restrictive emission regulations.
An IGCC power plant is a combination of a
gasification plant and a generation facility. The
coal gasification technology uses pulverized
coal which is fed into a gasifier to produce heat
hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and CO2. The
gases are cooled, chemically treated to remove
some of the pollutants , and filtered to remove
particulates and control air emissions. The coal
gases are ultimately fired in a gas turbine similar
to the combustion turbines used in natural
gas-fired combined cycle power plants. The
turbine exhaust gas is passed through a heat
recovery system to produce steam and drive a
steam turbine generator.
\, - -
Coal gasification technology has been widely
employed in the petrochemical industry for
many years, but the technology has not been
applied to large-scale electric generation in the
United States. An IGCC power plant will
requite significant capital commitments because
of the two-stage process requiring both a
gasification facility and a combined-cycle
power plant.
\,,;
\c:)
CFB power plants use a combustion technology
that can be fired on coal, biomass, and other
fuels. Fluidized beds suspend solid fuels on
upward-blowing jets of air during the
combustion process. The result is a turbulent
mixing of gas and solids. The turbulence, much
like a bubbling fluid, provides more effective
chemical reactions and heat transfer.
\, , .'
Fluidized bed combustion reduces the amount of
sulfur emitted in the form of SOx emissions.
Limestone is used to precipitate the sulfate
during combustion, which also allows more
efficient heat transfer from the boiler to the heat
exchanger (usually water pipes). The heated
precipitate makes direct contact with the pipes
(heating by conduction) and increases the unit
. ." --
Page 52 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
efficiency. The thermal transfer efficiency
allows fluidized bed coal plants to bum at cooler
temperatures and less NOx is emitted than in a
conventional pulverized coal plant.
CFB boilers can bum fuels other than coal and
the lower temperatures of combustion (800 D
have other benefits as well. CFB generation is
an emerging technology and new or upgraded
units have come on-line around the world in
recent years.
Carbon sequestration is another technology
being considered by various electric utilities.
Carbon sequestration technology is theorized to
remove up to 90% of the CO2 created by coal
combustion. After combustion, the CO2 is
captured, compressed, and transported to
sequestration sites where the CO2 may be used
for enhanced oil recovery or for other industrial
processes. One idea is to compress the CO2 gas
and store the CO2 in the basalt formations in
eastern Oregon and eastern Washington. The
CO2 gas is expected to react with the minerals in
the basalt to form solid calcium carbonate.
Carbon sequestration in the Columbia River
basalts has not been proven at the present time.
The various types of advanced coal resources
studied in the 2006 IRP are assumed to be
located in neighboring states in close proximity
to fuel supply, with significant transmission
investment required to get the energy to Idaho
Power s load center. The cost estimates and
operating parameters for advanced coal
generation in the plan are based on data from an
independent engineering firm. Potential
generation studied in each of the various
portfolios ranged from 250 MW up to 600 MW
of additional advanced coal capacity over the
20-year planning period.
Advanced Coal Technology Advantages
Abundant, low-cost fuel
Potentially lower greenhouse gas
emissions if CO2 is sequestered
Potential for financial incentives
Dispatchable resource
Advanced Coal Technology
Disadvantages
New, unproven technologies
Higher capital costs than pulverized coal
Long construction lead times
Combined-Cycle
Combustion Turbines
Until recently, combined-cycle combustion
turbine (CCCT) plants have been the preferred
choice for new commercial power generation in
the region. CCCT technology carries a low
initial capital cost compared to other baseload
resources, has high thermal efficiencies, is
highly reliable and offers significant operating
flexibility, and emits less harmful emissions
when compared to coal. The construction of
CCCT plants in the region has slowed
substantially in recent years due to increasing
natural gas prices. In addition, renewable
alternatives and energy efficiency measures
have become more competitive. If natural gas
prices were to decline, another period of
significant CCCT development could occur and
many feasible existing sites in the region are
close to natural gas mainlines. While there is no
current shortage of natural gas, it is widely
believed supplies will become constrained and
efforts will have to be made to tap off-shore
sources via liquefied natural gas (LNG) import
capability .
The traditional CCCT plant consists of gas
turbine generators equipped with heat recovery
steam generators to capture heat from the
turbine exhaust. Steam produced from the heat
recovery generators powers a steam turbine
generator to produce additional electricity. In a
CCCT plant, heat that would otherwise be
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 53
5. Potential Resource Portfolios Idaho Power Company
wasted is used to produce additional power
beyond that typically produced by a SCCT. New
CCCT plants could be built or existing simple-
cycle plants could be converted to combined-
cycle units.
The CCCT resources that were studied in the
2006 IRP were assumed to be located in
southwestern Idaho in close proximity to
mainline fuel supply and within 25 miles of
Idaho Power s transmission system. The cost
estimates and operating parameters for CCCT
generation in the 2006 IRP are based on data
from the NWPCC's Fifth Power Plan (2005).
Potential generation studied in each of the
various portfolios ranged from 0 MW up to
250 MW of additional CCCT capacity over the
20-year planning period.
CCCT Advantages
Proven and reliable technology
Operational flexibility
Dispatchable resource
Greater than 50% reduction in CO2
emissions per MWh of output compared
to conventional pulverized coal
technology.
CCCT Disadvantages
Natural gas price volatility
Potential fuel supply and transportation
issues
Simple-Cycle
Combustion Turbines
Several natural gas-fired SCCTs have been
brought on-line in the region in recent years
primarily in response to the regional energy
crisis of 2000-200 1 when electricity prices
spiraled out of control. High electricity prices
combined with persistent drought conditions
during the 2000--2001 time period as well as
continued summertime peak load growth
created interest in generation resources with low
capital costs and relatively short construction
lead times. Idaho Power currently has
approximately 250 MW of SCCT capacity in its
existing resource fleet, and plans to have
another 170 MW on-line by the summer of
2008. Peak summertime electricity demand
continues to grow significantly within Idaho
Power s service area, and SCCT generating
resources have been constructed to meet peak
load during the critical high demand times when
the transmission system has reached full import
capacity. The plants may also be dispatched for
financial reasons during times when regional
energy prices are at their highest. Like CCCTs
feasible sites and gas supply currently exist for
future SCCT development.
(. ,- ,
Simple-cycle natural gas turbine technology
involves pressurizing air which is then heated
by burning gas in fuel combustors. The hot
pressurized air is expanded through the blades
of the turbine which is connected by a shaft to
the electric generator. Designs range from larger
industrial machines at 80-200 MW to smaller
machines derived from aircraft technology.
SCCTs have a lower thermal efficiency than
other fossil fuel-based resources and are not
typically economical to operate other than to
meet peak-hour load requirements.
' "
The SCCT resources that were studied in this
plan are assumed to be located in southwestern
Idaho in close proximity to mainline fuel supply
and within 25 miles ofIdaho Power
transmission system. The cost estimates and
operating parameters for SCCT generation in
the IRP are based on data from the NWPCC' s
Fifth Power Plan (2005). Potential generation
resources studied in each of the various
portfolios ranged from 0 MW up to 680 MW of
additional SCCT capacity over the 20-year
planning period.
, .~ -
Page 54 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
SCCT Advantages
Dispatchable resource
Proven, reliable resource
Low capital cost
Short construction lead times
Ideal for peaking service
SCCT Disadvantages
High variable operating cost
Typically not economical for baseload
operation
Low efficiency
Natural gas price volatility
Combined Heat and Power
Opportunities exist in the region to take
advantage of excess heat energy created by
certain industrial processes. Partnerships could
be developed with some industrial customers
and CHP generating units could be installed at
facilities with existing steam requirements. A
common type of CHP system uses a combustion
turbine generator to produce electrical power
and also produces steam by installing a heat
recovery steam generator in the exhaust path of
the combustion turbine. The electrical power
from the combustion turbine is delivered to the
distribution and transmission system, and the
steam is used to meet the industrial facility
requirements. The steam could either be sold to
the industrial facility or the industrial facility
could own the steam-generating portion of the
plant.
The cost estimates and operating parameters for
CHP generation in the 2006 IRP are based on
data gathered in Idaho Power s 2004 IRP, with
escalation applied at 3 percent. Estimates are
based only on the electrical generation portion
of the facility. The actual plant costs are highly
dependent on the specific plant configuration, as
well as the specific contract and ownership
agreement. The CHP opportunities studied in
the 2006 IRP are assumed to be located in
southern Idaho in close proximity to Idaho
Power s transmission system. The potential
generation studied in each of the various
portfolios ranged from 0 MW up to 200 MW of
additional CHP capacity over the 20-year
planning period.
CHP Advantages
Dual use of fuel
High fuel utilization efficiency
Facilities are often located in close
proximity to the load center
CHP Disadvantages
Natural gas price volatility
Shared ownership and associated
operational concerns
Biomass
Biomass fuels like wood residues , organic
components of municipal solid waste, animal
manure, and wastewater treatment plant gas can
be used to power a steam turbine or
reciprocating engine to produce electricity. Most
of the biomass-generating resources in the
region are small-scale local co-generating
operations. The use of biomass fuels has not
proven to be economic for large-scale
commercial power production. Available fuel
supply can vary as production from the industry
fluctuates. The biomass fuel sources assumed in
the resource cost analysis for the plan are wood
by products from the forest and wood products
industry. The cost estimates and operating
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 55
5. Potential Resource Portfolios
parameters for biomass-fueled generation in the
plan are based on data from the NWPCC's Fifth
Power Plan (2005). No biomass-fueled
generation resources were included in the
portfolios analyzed for the 2006 Integrated
Resource Plan.
SoJar Energy and Photovo/taics
The conversion of solar radiation to electricity is
typically achieved by capturing heat to power a
conventional generating cycle like a steam
turbine or combustion turbine. Photovoltaics is
the technology involving the solid-state
conversion of sunlight to electricity via
reflective solar cells. Solar-powered generation
may be viable in parts of southern Idaho based
on atmospheric and shading conditions, and
could potentially help serve peaking needs in
the region on hot sunny days. However, solar
generation is an intermittent resource.
Solar thermal technologies are more suited to
large-scale power generation than photovoltaics.
While both solar thermal and photovoltaic
technologies are commercially established, both
technologies are expensive. Solar energy is
primarily used to serve small loads isolated
from the main power grid, where extension of
distribution lines is not feasible for economic or
geographic reasons. The cost estimates and
operating parameters for solar thermal and solar
photovoltaic generation in the 2006 IRP are
based on data from the Annual Energy Outlook
published by the DOE in March 2006. Due to
the high estimated costs, no solar generation
resources were included in the portfolios
analyzed for the 2006 Integrated Resource Plan.
Nuclear
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorizes funds
to be appropriated for the development of a
next generation" nuclear power project at the
INL. The project would consist of the research
and development, design, construction, and
operation of a prototype plant, including a
nuclear reactor used to generate electricity,
Idaho Power Company
produce hydrogen, or both. The target
completion date for the prototype nuclear
reactor is September 2021. For fiscal years
2006-2015 , $1.25 billion has been authorized
for appropriation. In addition, the Act authorizes
additional appropriations deemed necessary
between fiscal years 2016-2021 to complete the
project. Whether funds will actually be
appropriated to develop the project is unknown
at the present time.
( .
The Act also establishes tax credits for up to
000.MW of new advanced nuclear power
development. Projects must be in service by
January 2021 to qualify. Multiple projects in the
southeastern states will likely make up the next
000 MW of development, and therefore
qualify for the credits. The first of these projects
are expected to be on-line by 2014. Idaho Power
will follow the progress of these projects in the
coming years. Special attention will be paid to
the issues surrounding spent nuclear fuel
disposal.
In light of the INL project being identified in the
recent legislation, a PP A for a 250 MW share
the proposed project beginning as early as 2022
was included in the portfolios studied in the
2006 IRP. Idaho Power recognizes that there are
no specifically defined attributes or refined cost
estimates available to date for the project. For
financial modeling purposes, cost estimates and
operating parameters for the project were based
on nuclear generation data from the Annual
Energy Outlook published by the DOE in March
2006. Idaho Power will monitor the progress of
this R&D nuclear effort and provide an update
in the 2008 Integrated Resource Plan.
\. .'
As can be seen in Figures 5-, 5-, and 5-
nuclear generation may provide relatively
low-cost baseload generation with no
greenhouse gas emissions.
Nuclear Advantages
Forecasted low fuel costs
Forecasted adequate fuel availability
Page 56 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
Lack of greenhouse gas emissions
Potential low cost of production
Proven technology (existing reactor
types)
Nuclear Disadvantages
Potential lack of public acceptance, due
primarily to safety concerns
Nuclear waste disposal issues and
concerns
Construction cost uncertainties
Potential public risk due to accidents or
security issues
Hydroelectric
Hydropower is the foundation ofidaho Power
generation fleet. The existing generation is
low-cost and does not emit potentially harmful
pollutants like fossil fuel-basedresources. For
various reasons, Idaho Power does not believe it
is practical to develop new large hydropower
projects. However, there is the potential for
economical development of small hydropower
especially projects less than 10 MW in size. As
shown in Figures 5-, 5-, and 5-, the cost of
hydropower generation fares well when
compared to other generation technologies. The
cost estimates for small-scale hydro resources
were developed from data taken from the
NWPCC's Fifth Plan (2005). No hydropower
projects were included in the portfolios analyzed
in the 2006 IRP; however, small projects may
be developed and added through PURP A
contracts.
Efficiency Upgrades
at Existing Facilities
Opportunities to increase hydropower
generation in the future exist through efficiency
upgrades at Idaho Power s existing projects.
Many of Idaho Power s hydro facilities are
50-70 years old. While the generating units
have been maintained in excellent condition
new design technology-primarily hydraulic
design software-has opened the door for
potential turbine efficiency improvements. The
primary opportunity for increasing hydropower
capacity is through the replacement of turbine
runners. Idaho Power is investigating numerous
projects at its Mid-Snake facilities, and has
already begun the installation of new turbine
runners at the Upper Salmon "BOO facility. Idaho
Power will continue to pursue economically
favorable upgrades at its hydro plants as they
are identified. Upon receipt of a new FERC
license for the Hells Canyon Complex, potential
turbine runner replacement projects at those
plants will be evaluated based on new license
operating constraints.
Idaho Power will continue to look for cost
effective efficiency upgrades at its existing
thermal generating stations. Efficiency upgrades
at existing thermal facilities are typically
extremely cost effective. Table 2-2 identifies
several ofidaho Power s recent upgrades to
existing facilities.
Transmission Path Upgrades
In its review of the 2004 IRP, the IPUC
recommended Idaho Power expand its analysis
of possible transmission projects, associated
costs, and potential risks in the 2006 IRP. In
order to comply with the FERC's Standard of
Conduct requirements, Idaho Power contracted
with an outside consultant to provide the
technical expertise required to evaluate and
screen a range of transmission options. After the
initial screening, a request was submitted on the
OASIS website for Idaho Power s transmission
planners to analyze the necessary upgrades for
the finalist portfolios. Figures 5-, 5-, and 5-
show 30-year nominallevelized cost of
production estimates based on base load capacity
factors, peaking capacity factors, and cost of
capital and fixed operating costs.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 57
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Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
The following general alternatives were selected
with the consultant s assistance as the most
viable transmission alternatives. Fourteen
variations of these general alternatives were
analyzed and are shown in Figures 5-, 5-, and
McNary (Columbia River) to the Locust
Substation (Boise) via Brownlee
Lolo (Lewiston area) to Oxbow
Bridger, Wyoming to the Boise Bench
Substation via the Midpoint Substation
Garrison or Townsend, Montana to the
Boise Bench Substation via the Midpoint
Substation
White Pine, Nevada to the Boise Bench
Substation via the Midpoint Substation.
McNary to Locust via Brownlee
The McNary to Brownlee portion of the project
consists of a new, single conductor, 230 kV
transmission line from the substation at McNary
Dam to Idaho Power s Brownlee Dam
Substation, with new 230 kV terminals at both
ends. The distance between the McNary and
Brownlee substations, is approximately 215
miles. The estimated simultaneous capacity of
the McNary to Brownlee link is 225 MW.
In-depth studies to determine simultaneous
ratings for the selected transmission projects
were not conducted as part of the IRP, and
consequently estimates of simultaneous capacity
discussed in the 2006 IRP should be considered
preliminary in nature. Detailed studies to more
accurately predict the resultant capacity of a
project when integrated into the existing
regional transmission system will be needed as a
part of the design process for any project chosen
for construction. The detailed studies are judged
to be beyond the scope of the 2006 Integrated
Resource Plan.
The portion of the transmission line from
Brownlee to Boise consists of approximately 70
miles of new, single conductor, 230 kV
transmission line from Brownlee to Idaho
Power s Ontario Substation, and 30 miles of
new, single conductor, 230 kV transmission line
from Ontario to Idaho Power s Locust
Substation via a new 230 kV switchyard at
Gamet. The simultaneous capacity for the
Brownlee to Boise portion is estimated at
300 MW.
Lola to Oxbow
The Lolo to Oxbow transmission project
consists of reconductoring 63 miles of an
existing 230 kV single-circuit line to a higher
grade conductor. The estimated simultaneous
capacity resulting from the upgrade ranges from
60-75 MW.
Bridger, Wyoming to
Boise Bench via Midpoint
The Bridger, Wyoming to Boise Bench project
consists of a segment from the substation at the
Jim Bridger thermal plant to Idaho Power
Midpoint Substation near Twin Falls and a
second segment from Midpoint to the Boise
Bench Substation. Two alternatives for the
Bridger to Midpoint transmission line have been
explored: 1) a new, two-conductor, bundled
345 kV, single-circuit line, and 2) a new
three-conductor, bundled, 500 kV, single-circuit
line. Both of the alternatives are estimated to
require approximately 300 miles of transmission
line replacement and are projected to include a
new transformer and associated equipment at
the Midpoint Substation.
The present transmission system connecting the
Midpoint and Boise Bench substations consists
of three , 230 kV lines. A variety of options for
upgrading transmission capacity between the
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 61
5. Potential Resource Portfolios Idaho Power Company
two stations has been considered. The options
with the corresponding estimated increases in
simultaneous capacity, include the following:
1. Rebuild the existing number one line by
converting it from a single conductor to
a two-conductor, bundled, 230 kV
single-circuit line. The number one line
will then match the capacity of the other
two Midpoint to Boise Bench lines
which would yield a 225 MW increase
in simultaneous capacity.
2. Reconductor the existing number one
line to a higher-grade co~ductor, which
would yield a 150 MW increase in
simultaneous capacity.
3. Build a new, two-conductor, bundled
345 kV, single-circuit line, which would
yield a 525 MW increase in
simultaneous capacity.
4. Build a new, three-conductor, bundled
500 kV, single-circuit line, which would
yield a 900 MW increase in
simultaneous capacity.
The 345 kV and 500 kV options are projected to
require a new substation tie outside of the Boise
Bench Substation because of constrained
corridors into the existing station. The length of
the transmission line upgrade for each of the
four options is approximately 110 miles.
Garrison or Townsend, Montana
to Boise Bench via Midpoint
The Montana to Boise transmission project
consists of a portion from substations in
Garrison or Townsend, Montana to the
Midpoint Substation and a second portion
extending from Midpoint to the Boise Bench
Substation. The segment from Garrison or
Townsend to Midpoint consists of
approximately 280 miles of new, single
conductor, 230 kV, transmission line. The
estimated simultaneous capacity provided by
this new line ranges from 225-300 MW.
The four options considered for increasing
capacity between Midpoint and Boise are
discussed previously in the Bridger to Boise via
Midpoint sections.
White Pine, Nevada to
Boise Bench via Midpoint
The Nevada to Boise project consists of a White
Pine, Nevada to Midpoint link, and a second
segment providing increased capacity between
the Midpoint and Boise Bench Substations. The
White Pine to Midpoint portion consists of
approximately 315 miles of new, two-
conductor, bundled, 345 kV, transmission line.
The simultaneous capacity estimated for the
Nevada to Midpoint segment is 525 MW.
" ,, ,
The four options considered for increasing
capacity between Midpoint and Boise are
discussed in the Bridger to Boise via Midpoint
section.
In the development of portfolios, the
transmission projects were considered similar to
other supply-side resources, with the projected
supply of power related solely to the
transmission capacity rather than the generating
capacity. With respect to the transmission
development costs, the projects are expressed in
the resource stacking in terms of the costs to
connect the existing system to the regional
market location (e., McNary to Brownlee),
and in terms of the costs to allow for increased
capacity all the way to the Boise load center
(e., McNary to Locust via Brownlee).
. i
Considering the costs in terms of merely
connecting the existing system to the regional
market, without the associated upgraded
connection to Boise, is considered to allow the
transmission projects to be compared fairly with
other supply-side resources burdened by only
the transmission infrastructure costs required to
Page 62 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
connect the generating facility with the existing
system.
Transmission Advantages
No direct exposure to possible emission
adders
Low operating cost
Expanded capacity for off-system sales
opportunities
Stability associated with possible
long-term firm contracts (sales and
purchase)
Transmission Disadvantages
Exposure to potential market volatility
Need for costly studies addressing
possible environmental impacts of
long-distance transmission corridors
Considerable lead times required
Demand-Side Management
Idaho Power has worked with the EEAG and
outside consultants to identify potential
demand-side programs that may be cost
effective. Potential programs were identified in
four major customer classes-residential
commercial, irrigation, and industrial.
Each year, in accordance with IPUC and OPUC
directives, Idaho Power submits an annual
report detailing DSM program performance.
The report for 2005 is included in Appendix B-
Demand-Side Management 2005 Annual
Report.
As discussed earlier, Idaho Power implements
programs consistent with stated program
objectives in electrical system resources and
customer needs. The programs, as defined by
the stated objectives fall within the following
categories:
Demand Response
Energy Efficiency
Market Transformation
A brief description of each of the functional
categories is provided below.
Demand Response Programs
Idaho Power s demand response programs are
designed to use control hardware to provide a
means by which the operation of a consumer
end-use equipment may be modified to alter the
maximum demand. The goal of demand
response programs at Idaho Power is to reduce
the summer peak demand periods and thus
minimize the need for providing higher cost
supply-side alternatives such as gas turbine
generation or open market electricity purchases.
In developing effective programs for reducing
peak summer demand, Idaho Power targets
irrigation customers using high horsepower
pumps and residential customers using central
air conditioning. Both programs utilize
programmable means to cycle customer
equipment on and off during peak time periods
in the summer. Both irrigation and residential
air conditioning are characterized by dedicated
summer use. Together, irrigation and residential
usage represent approximately 60% of system
summer peak demand.
Energy Efficiency Programs
DSM energy efficiency initiatives are applicable
to all Idaho Power customer segments including
residential , irrigation, commercial, and
industrial customer classes.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 63
5. Potential Resource Portfolios Idaho Power Company
A common theme of energy efficiency programs
is the focus on identifying significant segments
within the customer base where prevalent
energy practices can be modified to deliver
desired energy savings. Idaho Power has
selected programs that target improvements in
residential and commercial building
construction.
Improvements in new building construction
include promoting improvements in the design
and construction phases for new buildings to
include energy efficiency measures in framing,
building envelope, insulation, lighting, cooling,
venting, and electrical systems. In targeting new
construction, a wider range of cost effective
measures are available relative to those for
existing construction. Methods promoted for
existing buildings are focused on applications
which are effective in retrofitting applications
such as lighting, air infiltration reduction
heating and cooling system improvements, and
maintenance practices.
Systems improvements are typically targeted at
industrial, irrigation, and large commercial
customers and are realized through the
evaluation of a customer s systems and
application of new designs, technologies and
processes. Improvements include pumping,
lighting, heating, cooling, and process
improvements.
Technology improvements are applicable in all
programs. Technology improvement examples
include, computerized electrical system
controls, cooling and compressor innovations
Compact Florescent Lighting (CFL), roofing,
and fenestration materials.
Market Transformation Programs
Market Transformation programs target energy
savings through engaging and influencing large
national and regional organizations who are
gatekeepers to decisions that impact energy
usage in products, processes and procedures
affecting electrical power consumption.
Idaho Power participates in the Alliance in
conjunction with a consortium of neighboring
utilities in the Pacific Northwest. The
consortium provides sufficient scale to influence
decisions in the supply/manufacturing chain
toward energy efficiency. The collaborative
approach returns energy savings that would
otherwise be unreachable individually by virtue
of pooling resources into a single organization
that is solely focused on large-scale programs.
Alliance activities include industry design
standards, materials sourcing, advertising,
process methodology, and others. Many of the
DSM programs implemented in Idaho Power
service area are the result of Alliance activity,
including ENERGY STAR!ID
DS~JI Evaluation
Idaho Power has developed the framework and
design of its demand-side portfolio with support
from the IRP AC, EEAG and outside
consultants. Idaho Power has worked together
with the advisory councils and consultants to
develop the demand-side portfolio strategy,
implementation plans, and program details.
Key aspects of the demand-side portfolio
development include:
Strategic importance to energy system
overall, including corporate and
customer needs
(" )
Program effectiveness in terms of energy
savings and cost
Focus on summertime peak load
reduction programs
Focus on lost opportunity areas of new
construction
Ensuring establishment of personnel
processes, and systems to support
effective implementation, validation
measurement, and modification
Page 64 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
The following programs were selected for full
development and implementation as a part of
the 2004 IRP:
Demand Response Programs
Irrigation Peak Rewards
A/C Cool Credit
Energy Efficiency Programs
ENERGY ST AR(!Y Homes Northwest
(new construction)
Commercial Building Efficiency
(new construction)
Industrial Efficiency (redesign)
Irrigation Efficiency
2006 IRP Demand-Side Programs
Two umbrella programs designed to bring a
wide variety of energy efficiency improvements
to existing buildings and structures in the
residential and commercial segments were
considered in the 2004 IRP. Because of their
scope, the 2004 IRP action plan deferred
program implementation to ensure adequate
resources were in place for effective
implementation.
The nature and scope of the two programs were
identified in a study completed by Quantuum
Consulting (now Itron Consulting) in November
2004, where an inventory of existing building
energy profiles was developed along with
expected energy savings associated with the
application of improvement measures. The
Quantuum study was filed with the IPUC in
December 2004, as a supplement to the 2004
Integrated Resource Plan.
These two programs are considered for
implementation as a part of the 2006 IRP. The
programs are evaluated assuming a 50 percent
incentive level (the level used in the 2004 plan),
as well as a 75 percent incentive level.
In addition to the residential and commercial
energy efficiency programs, an expansion of the
existing Industrial Efficiency program is also
considered as a part of the 2006 IRP. Initial
implementation experience has identified a
higher potential for energy savings in this
segment and the proposed expansion in the 2006
IRP is designed to build program capacity to
realize the potential.
Table 5-3 shows the effect of the programs on
energy and peak loads. The energy effects of the
residential and commercial existing-
construction programs are based on the work
completed by Quantuum Consulting in
November 2004. The industrial efficiency
contribution was estimated by Idaho Power. The
table indicates the relatively large effect the
three DSM energy efficiency programs will
have on the resource portfolio. Implementing
the three energy efficiency programs proposed
in the 2006 IRP is anticipated to generate over
780 000 MWh of energy savings per year by
2005-a savings of 88 aMWannually.
Table 5-3. Potential Demand-Side Programs
2006 IRP Energy Efficiency Programs (2025)
Commercial Efficiency, Existing Construction (27 MW
on peak, 18 aMW energy)
Industrial Efficiency (47 MW on peak, 40 aMW energy)
Residential Efficiency, Existing Construction (113 MW
on peak, 29 aMW energy)
The existing commercial building and industrial
programs are expected to deliver year-round
baseload savings. The residential program
targeting existing construction is expected to
include residential air conditioning seasonal
savings in addition to other annual energy
savings through retrofit measures.
2006 I ntegrated Resource Plan Page 65
5. Potential Resource Portfolios Idaho Power Company
Idaho Power used both a static and dynamic
analysis to analyze the DSM options. The static
analysis evaluates the benefits of the programs
on a standalone basis, without considering the
impact on the energy portfolio on a hour-to-hour
basis. The dynamic analysis utilizes the Aurora
Electric Market Model to determine how each
DSM program affects Idaho Power s power
supply costs. The dynamic analysis considers
Idaho Power s resource portfolio as well as
regional electric markets. The Aurora analysis is
designed to estimate the effects of the DSM
programs on Idaho Power s simulated hourly
power supply costs.
The static analysis compared estimated program
costs and the hourly energy savings with a set of
alternative hourly energy costs. The alternative
hourly costs represent both heavy and light load
market purchase forecasts from the Aurora
preferred portfolio (P304 May 2006) as well as
fixed plant costs associated with baseload
energy and natural gas-fired peaking generation.
The set of alternative hourly costs was used to
compare the value of summer peaking resources
to more constant load profiles. The results of the
static analysis indicated that all three energy
efficiency programs had benefit to cost ratios
significantly greater than 1.0 and a lower
levelized annual energy cost than all other
resources with the exception of flashed steam
geothermal with the PTC. Therefore, all three
energy efficiency programs were included in all
of the resource portfolios considered in the 2006
Integrated Resource Plan.
Each resource portfolio, including the three
energy efficiency programs, was further
analyzed to determine the present value of its
portfolio power supply costs. Additional details
related to the DSM program analysis are
included in Appendix D-Technical Appendix.
The demand-side programs and supply-side
resources are compared in a combined resource
stack as shown in Figures 5-1 and 5-
Figures 5-1 and 5-2 show that several
demand-side programs compare favorably with
traditional thermal generation. The attributes of
the programs and resources and their
contribution to the resource portfolio are more
fully discussed in Chapter 6 as well as
Appendix D- Technical Appendix.
2006 lRP DSM Program
Description and Metrics
The following section presents a description and
the program metrics of the three proposed DSM
programs included in the 2006 IRP preferred
portfolio.
Residential Efficiency Program-
Existing Construction
Program Overview
The Residential Efficiency Program for existing
construction is designed to reduce peak demand
and increase energy efficiency in existing
residential housing. This program was first
introduced for consideration in Idaho Power
2004 Integrated Resource Plan. However
IRP AC deliberations, in conjunction with an
assessment of resource availability for
implementation, concluded it was appropriate to
first launch the residential programs targeting
new construction (ENERGY STARCID Homes
Northwest-launched in 2005) and to defer
programs targeting existing construction. This
approach is consistent with the adopted DSM
strategy of first implementing programs that
target lost opportunities in new construction.
The IRP AC also requested, in bringing the
program design forward in 2006, the analysis
consider increasing the incentive level from
50% to 75% to capture more of the cost
effective energy savings available from program
implementation. The 75% incentive level was
chosen for introduction to the 2006 resource
stack.
.... .\..
Program Description
The program focuses on the application of
energy efficiency measures including cooling
system efficiency, CFL lighting, and air
infiltration reduction to existing residential
Page 66 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
housing. The program design and development
will leverage elements of DSM programs
previously implemented in the residential
segment.
Table 5-4 shows the program energy metrics
general program characteristics, and economic
metrics for the Residential Efficiency Program-
Existing Construction.
Table 5-4. Summary of Residential Efficiency
Program-Existing Construction
Program Energy Metrics
Average Demand ............................ 28.8 aMW
Peak Reduction ............................... 113.0 MW
Annual Energy................................. 251 989 MWh
General Program Characteristics
Seasonality......................................
Dispatching Capabilities ..................
Target Market..................................
Target Size......................................
First Year Available .........................
Program Duration ............................
Measure Life ...................................
Economic Metrics
(Discounted Present Values)
Benefits ...........................................
Costs.............................................. .
Net Benefits.....................................
Benefit Cost Ratio ...........................
Levelized Costs
30-year ($/kWh)...........................
Peak 30-year ($/kW/Month).........
Summer focus
Residential
390 000+ customers
2007
30 years
12 years'
Utility Total
Cost Resource
$265 537 $265 537
$68 801 $103 890
$287 259 $252 171
$0.020 $0.031
$7.$11.
Commercial Efficiency Program-
Existing Construction
Program Overview
The Commercial Efficiency Program is
designed to reduce peak demand and increase
energy efficiency in existing buildings for
commercial customers. This program was first
introduced for consideration in Idaho Power
2004 IRP. However, as was the case with the
residential program, implementation was
deferred to provide focused resources for
launching of new-construction programs (both
commercial and residential launched in 2005).
2004 IRP AC deliberations in conjunction with
guidance from EEAG concluded that it was
appropriate to first establish programs for new
construction (Commercial Building Efficiency
Program-launched in 2005) and to defer
existing construction programs. The strategy of
first targeting lost energy efficiency
opportunities in new construction was applied to
residential construction as well.
Under IRPAC and EEAG guidance for bringing
the program forward for consideration in the
2006 IRP resource stack, alternate participant
incentive options were considered at the 50%
and 75% levels. The 75% level was chosen for
implementation in Idaho Power s 2006
Integrated Resource Plan.
Program Description
The program focuses on the application of
energy efficiency measures including cooling,
refrigeration, ventilation, and lighting to
existing buildings in the commercial customer
segment. The program design envisions
providmg evaluation services and support for
the installation of improved technologies
processes, and controls for energy savings gains.
Initial program design elements under
consideration include segmenting the target
customers depending upon the nature and scope
of the potential improvement and customer.
Program design will include customer interface
and integration with the Industrial Efficiency
Program. Marketing efforts will target
equipment vendors , service providers, and
industrial engineers.
Table 5-5 shows the program ep.ergy metrics
general program characteristics, and economic
metrics for the Commercial Efficiency
Program-Existing Construction.
Industrial Efficiency Program Expansion
Program Overview
The Industrial Efficiency Program was first
selected for implementation in the 2004 IRP. It
is designed to increase energy efficiency for
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 67
5. Potential Resource Portfolios Idaho Power Company
large industrial and commercial customers of
Idaho Power in both Oregon and Idaho.
Program development and design elements were
significantly dependent upon input from
industrial customers as well as the EEAG and
other stakeholders. The initial program has been
extremely well received and customer demand
for program services has exceeded available
resources.
Table 5-5. Summary of Commercial Efficiency
Program-Existing Construction
Program Energy Metrics
Average Demand ............................
Peak Reduction ...............................
Annual Energy.................................
General Program Characteristics
Seasonality......................................
Dispatching Capabilities ..................
Target Market..................................
Target Size......................................
First Year Available .........................
Program Duration............................
Measure Life ...................................
Economic Metrics
(Discounted Present Values)
Benefits ...........................................
Costs.............................................. .
Net Benefits.....................................
Benefit Cost Ratio ...........................
Levelized Costs
30-year ($/kWh)...........................
Peak 30-year ($/kW/Month).........
18.4 aMW
27.1 MW
161 167 MWh
Summer focus
Commercial
000+ customers
2007
20 years
10 years
Utility TotalCost Resource
$176 671 $176 671
$32 937 $56,177
$143 824 $103 6493 3.
$0.
$5.
$0.
$9.
Program Description
The operational parameters of the Industrial
Efficiency Program expansion remain
effectively unchanged. The expansion identified
in Idaho Power s 2006 IRP will focus on adding
additional Idaho Power resources to better serve
customer demand.
With the addition of the Commercial Efficiency
Program-Existing Construction to the DSM
portfolio, the Industrial Efficiency Program
marketing and administration processes will be
refined to ensure effective customer interfaces
for large commercial customers targeted by the
Industrial Efficiency Program.
Table 5-6 shows the program energy metrics
general program characteristics, and economic
metrics for the Industrial Efficiency Program
Expansion.
Table 5-6. Summary of Industrial Efficiency
Program Expansion
Program Energy Metrics
Average Demand ............................
Peak Reduction...............................
Annual Energy.................................
General Program Characteristics
42.6 aMW
47.1 MW
373 603 MWh
Seasonality.....................................
Dispatching Capabilities..................
Target Market..................................
Target Size.
.....................................
First Year Available .........................
Program Duration............................
Measure Life ...................................
Economic Metrics
(Discounted Present Values)
Benefits ...........................................
Costs...............................................
Net Benefits ....................................
Benefit Cost Ratio ...........................
Levelized Costs
30-year ($/kWh)...........................
Peak 30-year ($/kW/Month).........
None
Industrial and
commercial
customers with
BLC ;:. 500 kW
300 customers
2007
20 years
12 years
Utility TotalCost Resource
$356 061 $356 061
$68 044 $123 034
$288 017 $233 0273 2.
. !
$0.
$13.
$0.034
$24.
DSM energy and peak demand estimates are
typically measured at the point of delivery
(customer s meter). Supply-side resource
generation estimates are usually made at the
point of generation. Line losses occur between
the point of generation and the point of delivery
at the customer s meter. The line losses reduce
the delivered generation from supply-side
resources.
General DSM Discussion
( .
In order to make the energy efficiency programs
comparable to supply-side resources, the
Page 68 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
projected energy savings of the DSM programs
are increased by the amount of energy that
would have been lost in transmission and
delivery if the load had been provided by a
supply-side resource.
Demand-side and energy conservation measures
are often seen as synonymous. Unfortunately,
generic energy conservation programs are
unlikely to be sufficient to meet the peak-hour
deficiencies Idaho Power faces during the
near-term of this resource plan. Specific
demand-side measures targeting peak-hour
demand reduction are more likely to address the
projected peak-hour deficiencies.
Idaho Power continues to implement the A/C
Cool Credit program to the levels identified in
the 2004 IRP. Over 4 700 residential customers
have voluntarily enrolled in the program since
its inception. During times of need, such as
during the summer peak, Idaho Power briefly
interrupts program participant's air conditioners.
Interruption periods are commonly 15 minutes
or less each half-hour between 2-8 p.m. Idaho
Power has divided the program participants into
two groups and by alternately interrupting each
group, the group air conditioning demand can be
reduced by half.
Idaho Power expects to add between
000-000 residential customers each year
and most of these new customers will have air
conditioning. The A/C Cool Credit program is
designed to mitigate this growth in residential
air conditioning demand. Due to the nature and
timing of the projected peak-hour deficits
energy efficiency and demand response
programs must be carefully designed to cost-
effectively address the projected deficits.
Regional DSM
Savings Comparison
Figure 5-7 shows Idaho Power s DSM portfolio
energy savings in average megawatts (including
the proposed 2006 IRP programs). In the figure
the Idaho Power forecast is compared to a
savings potential derived from NWPCC and
Alliance estimates. This derived potential is
based on the NWPCC estimate of total
Northwest conservation potential. Idaho Power
has determined its allocated share by applying
the Alliance s metric for allocating Idaho
Power s percentage of regional load (6.5%).
Figure 5-7. Existing and Potential DSM
120
100
.."
~ 60
""',;'"....,
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
OJ IPC . NWPCC
The figure provides a useful benchmark for
gauging the progress of DSM efforts; however
there are significant differences between the two
statistics that merit noting:
The NWPCC potential number is for all
conservation measures, not just those
associated with Idaho Power s DSM
programs.
The Idaho Power numbers exclude
savings associated with building codes
and federal energy standards.
The Idaho Power forecast excludes
market transformation (Alliance) savings
beginning in 2010 as this marks the
expiration date of the existing contract
with the Alliance.
The NWPCC potential is based on
region-wide macro economic forecasts;
Idaho Power s savings are based on
corporate planning commitments.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 69
5. Potential Resource Portfolios Idaho Power Company
The Alliance allocation, based on
changing economic conditions, may be
subject to change.
Idaho Power s forecast is based on program
startup and implementation schedules as
presented in Appendix B-Demand-Side
Management 2005 Annual Report. The program
timelines are an integral part ofldaho Power
planning process and reflect the multi-faceted
elements of planning supply-side and demand-
side resources within the customer dynamics of
Idaho Power s service area.
Resource Portfolios
Twelve different portfolios were analyzed in
preparing the 2006 IRP. The resource portfolios
were developed to explore a variety of different
resource alternatives and to analyze the costs
Table 5-7. Comparison of Initial Portfolios
and benefits associated with each resource
strategy.
The resource portfolios varied from a portfolio
with no coal-fired resources and almost
000 MW of new renewable resources, to a
portfolio with 1 475 MW of new transmission
import capacity. Other portfolios included a
predominantly coal-fired portfolio which
included almost no natural gas-fired generation
and a number of diversified portfolios include
varying amounts of wind, geothermal, coal
simple-cycle and combined-cycle combustion
turbines, and demand-side resources. Table 5-
shows the composition of each of the original 12
portfolios.
Each considered portfolio, when combined with
Idaho Power s existing resources and expected
allocation of in-bound transmission capacity for
serving native load customers, will fully meet
Resource Summary P10 P11 P12
Combined-Cycle
Combustion Turbine .................225
Combined Heat and Power..........150 110 100 100 100 100 100
Coal.............................................250 850 500 500 250 250 000 250 250
Combustion Turbine (CT) ............170 170 170 510 340 680 510
Seasonal Peak Demand-Side
Management (DSM) .................187 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 187
Geothermal (Binary).....................490 225 150 250 150
Integrated Gasification
Combined Cycle (IGCC):..........250 600 300 300 300 300
Nuclear ........................................250 250 250 250 250 250 250 900
Wind.............................................500 100 250 100 100 100 100 350 100 100 100 100
Wyoming IGCC with
Carbon Sequestration ..............250
Transmission ...............................450 260 285 225 225 225 225
( ,
Total Nameplate including
SeasonaIPeakDSM(MW)...... 2 027 2 017 1 807 1 657 1 632 1 847 1 752 2 067 1 847 1 912 2 162 1 812
Energy including
Seasonal DSM Energy (aMW) . 1 080 394 1 139 1 187 1 106 1 050 909 959 1 050 1 356 1 016 1 289
Transmission Capacity (MW)....... 450 1 260 285 225 225 650 225
Peak Capacity including
Seasonal Peak DSM (MW) ...... 1 102 662 1 284 1 562 1 537 1 752 1,432 1 732 1 752 1 592 892 1 ,492
1 Green Portfolio
2 Transmission Portfolio
3 2004 IRP Preferred Portfolio
4 Basic Thermal Portfolio
5 Advanced Coal Portfolio
6 2004 IRP Plus More Geothermal (Binary) and CTs
7 2004 IRP Plus More Geothermal (Binary), CTs , and Transmission
Less Coal, More Geothermal (Binary), and CTs9 2004 IRP Plus IGCC with Sequestration10 All Coal Portfolio
11 Bridger to Boise Transmission
12 Nuclear Portfolio
. .
Page 70 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
Idaho Power s projected monthly energy needs
under the 70th percentile water and 70th
percentile energy planning criteria. Each
considered portfolio will eliminate the projected
peak-hour transmission overloads from the
Pacific Northwest under the 90th percentile
water and 95th percentile peak-load conditions
for all months in the planning period except July
2007. To eliminate the projected peak-hour
transmission overload in July 2007 , all
portfolios require a firm purchase of
approximately 60 MW. The 60 MW firm
purchase will most likely be delivered to the
east side of Idaho Power s system.
Each portfolio was analyzed using the Aurora
Electric Market Model overa 20-year study
period. The portfolio costs include both the cost
of capital and operating costs of the various
additional supply-side and demand-side
resources proposed within each portfolio, as
well as the cost of capital and operating costs of
Idaho Power s existing and committed
resources. In addition to these fixed and variable
operating costs, the Aurora model determines
wholesale market purchases and sales for each
portfolio. The expected case portfolio costs are
based on:
50th percentile (median) water.
conditions, 50th percentile load
conditions
Expected fuel price forecasts for Sumas
natural gas and Wyoming specific and
regional coal price forecasts
CO2 emission adder of $14.00 per ton (in
2006 dollars) beginning in 2012
The 20-year stream of portfolio costs from
Aurora were discounted to 2006 dollars using
the established discount rate (6.93% after tax),
and the resulting values from the portfolios were
compared. The Aurora financial modeling
assumes Idaho Power will own and operate the
resources included in each portfolio throughout
the planning period. If the energy and capacity
are obtained through PP As or other
arrangements , the capital costs of the portfolio
would be lower and the variable operating
(energy) cost of the portfolio would be higher.
A full listing of the portfolios with additional
detail regarding the portfolio costs, capacity,
and resource timing is included in Appendix D-
Technical Appendix.
Portfolio Selection
The 12 original portfolios were analyzed under
four different scenarios:
1. Expected: CO2 adder of $ 14/ton
beginning in 2012, expected gas prices
and the PTC continues to be renewed in
its current form until 2012 when it is
assumed to be eliminated
2. GHGSO: CO2 adder of $50/ton
beginning in 2012, expected gas prices
and the PTC continues to be renewed in
its current form until 2012 when it is
assumed to be eliminated
3. GHGZero: No CO2 adder, expected gas
prices and the PTC continues to be
renewed in its current form until 2012
when it is assumed to be eliminated
4. HighGas: CO2 adder of $ 14/ton
beginning in 2012, high gas prices and
the PTC continues to be renewed in its
current form until 2012 when it is
assumed to be eliminated
The Aurora Electric Market Model was used to
estimate the portfolio costs for each of the 12
portfolios under each of the above four
scenarios for the 20-year planning period. The
present value of each portfolio for each scenario
was calculated for the following:
a. Market Purchases: Present value of
each portfolio s market purchases over
the 20-year planning period
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 71
5. Potential Resource Portfolios Idaho Power Company
b. Resource Total: Present value of the
resource costs for each portfolio
including resource costs associated with
existing resources (ownership, fuel, and
other operating and maintenance costs).
Resource costs include all of the fixed
and variable production costs for the
portfolio
1. Sales to (Purchases + Resource costs)
Ratio: This ratio was calculated for each
portfolio for each scenario listed above
(1-4). This metric is a measure of the
portfolio s reliance on (and exposure to)
the market. See Appendix D-Technical
Appendix for details of the portfolio
rankings according to this criterion
d. Total Cost: The summation of items a
, and c
2. Average Total Cost (PV): The present
value of the total costs for each portfolio
scenario listed above was determined
and the resulting values were averaged
for each portfolio. PV of Average Total
Cost = (PV Expected Total Cost + PV
GHG50 Total Cost + PV GHGZero
Total Cost + PV HighGas Total Cost)/4.
Table 5-8 contains details of the
portfolio ranking according to thiscriterion
( ,
c. Market Sales: Present value of each
portfolio s market purchases over the
20-year planning period
The above calculations yield 192 sets of results
(12 portfolios x 4 scenarios/portfolio x 4 sets of
results/scenario = 192 sets of results). These
results were then used to rank the portfolios
according to the following three criteria:
, -
Table 5-Portfolio Comparison
Average PV Total Costs
Average PV (Resource Costs + Market
Portfolio Resource Costs Rank Purchases - Market Sales)Rank
........................
381 896 044 664
........................
590 614 666 507
........................
396 324 $5,180 902
........................
369 168 049 059
........................
553 796 $5,443 658
........................
328 346 172 530
........................
766,460 244 052
........................
190,408 025 018
........................
290 214 134,741
P10
.....................
675 873 172 510
P11
.....................
397 872 $5,291 036
P12
.....................
595 844 872,631
.( ,_- , ;- '. .
Note: Costs averaged for the following four scenarios:
(1) CO2 adder = $14/ton of CO2 emissions (Expected Case)
(2) CO2 adder = $50/ton of CO2 emissions (GHG50)
(3) CO2 adder = $O/ton of CO2 emissions (GHGZero)
(4) High natural gas price scenario
- '
1 Green Portfolio
2 Transmission Portfolio
3 2004 IRP Preferred Portfolio
4 Basic Thermal Portfolio
5 Advanced Coal Portfolio
6 2004 IRP Plus More Geothermal (Binary),
and CTs
7 2004 IRP Plus More Geothermal (Binary),
CTs, and Transmission
8 Less Coal , More Geothermal (Binary), and CTs9 2004 IRP Plus IGCC with Sequestration10 All Coal Portfolio
11 Bridger to Boise Transmission
12 Nuclear Portfolio
Page 72 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 5. Potential Resource Portfolios
3. Average of Resource Costs: The
present value of the resource costs for
each portfolio scenario was determined
and the resulting values were averaged
for each portfolio. PV Average of
Resource Cost = (PV Expected Resource
Cost + PV GHG50 Resource+ PV
GHGZero Resource + PV HighGas
Resource )/4. See Table 5-8 for details of
the portfolio ranking accordjng to this
criterion
Rankings were assigned to each portfolio based
on its sales ratio and the Average of Total Cost
and Average of Resource Total metrics-the
lowest cost portfolio was ranked first, and the
highest cost portfolio was ranked 12. Results of
the portfolio rankings are discussed in
Chapter 6.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 73
5. Potential Resource Portfolios Idaho Power Company
, ~- -~ ,( ;, '
Page 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 6. Risk Analysis
RISK ANAL YSlg costs (average expected cost scenario),
the original 12 portfolios were also
ranked by the sum of resource costs. The
resource cost analysis only considers the
fixed and variable costs associated with
the resources-the costs of market
purchases and revenue from market sales
are not included. Idaho Power has
forecast high generation, transmission
and distribution system capital
requirements associated with meeting
future demand. The resource cost
identifies the portfolio with the lowest
capital and operating cost.
Se1ecHon of FinaHst Portfolios
Idaho Power Company identified four of the
original 12 portfolios for additional risk
analysis. The four portfolios, designated as PI
, P4, and Pll , demonstrated unique strengths
and positive characteristics in the initial scenario
cost analysis. The characteristics used to
distinguish these portfolios as candidates for
further risk analysis were identified in the
following three screening analyses:
1. Average Total Expected Cost: In the
2006 IRP, average total expected cost
includes the fixed costs of resource
ownership, variable operating and
maintenance costs, the costs of any
market purchases, and the revenue
received from surplus sales. However, if
a portfolio relies on considerable surplus
sales or purchases, there is exposure to
changes in market prices (e., selling at
lower and purchasing at higher than
forecast prices). In consideration of the
exposure to market risks, the original 12
portfolios were also ranked by the
average of resource costs.
3. Sales to Supply Cost Ratio: The sales
to supply cost analysis considers the
ratio of market sales revenue to sum of
market purchases and resource costs.
The denominator of the ratio, market
purchases plus resource costs, can be
considered the cost to meet the forecast
load. Although all portfolios were
designed to meet the monthly average
load and peak-hour load planning
criteria, the portfolios include differing
amounts of resources, and subsequently,
the portfolios contain differing amounts
of surplus sales. The sales to supply cost
ratio identifies the portfolios with the
largest proportion of surplus sales.
Surplus sales can potentially lower the
cost of a resource portfolio. However
there is a possibility that actual surplus
2. Average Resource Cost: In addition to
ranking portfolios on the present value
of their expected portfolio power supply
Highlights
Four finalist portfolios were selected from the initial portfolios for additional qualitative
and quantitative risk analyses.
Quantitative risk factors analyzed include the implementation of a CO2 tax , the price of
natural gas, the variability of hydrologic conditions, cost of construction, and capital and
market risk.
Qualitative risk factors analyzed include regulatory risk, declining Snake River base
flows, FERC relicensing risk , resource commitment and siting risks, and fuel
implementation, and technology risks.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 75
6. Risk Analysis Idaho Power Company
sales prices will be lower than forecast
which could potentially turn an expected
low-cost portfolio into a high-cost
portfolio. When the original 12
portfolios were ranked by the sales to
supply cost ratio under the Expected
GHG50, GHGzero and the HighGas
scenarios , P4 finished in first place in all
four scenarios.
The 12 portfolios were assessed on a
combination of quantitative and qualitative
elements (see Appendix D-Technical Appendix
for the complete quantitative ranking). The
quantitative elements include Average Total
Expected Cost, Average Resource Cost, and
Sales to Supply Cost Ratio. The qualitative
screening yielded seven identified portfolios
which are summarized below:
Lowest Average Total Cost: PI , P4
, and P12
Lowest Average Resource Cost: P2
and P3
Lowest Sales to Supply Cost Ratio: P2
, and Pll
Table 6-1 summarizes the primary strengths and
weaknesses of the seven identified portfolios.
Based on the quantitative and qualitative
elements mentioned and input from the IRP AC
the final four portfolios selected for further
refinement and analysis were PI , P3, P4, and
P11.
Before proceeding with additional risk analysis
a number of changes were made to the selected
portfolios to incorporate the strengths observed
in portfolios not selected, address construction
lead-time concerns, and to reduce the
implementation risk associated with
Table 6-1. Summary of Primary Strengths and Weaknesses Used for Portfolio SelectionPortfolio Strengths
P1-Green ........"...".............."....""."" Low exposure to carbon legislation
P2-Transmission........".......................Low exposure to market sales
Low average resource cost
Low exposure to market sales
Low average resource cost
Diversified fuel mix
P4-Basic Thermal............................... Low average total cost
P3-2004 IRP Preferred .........."...........
P8-Less Coal, More Geothermal Low average total cost
(Binary), and CTs...........................
P11-Bridger to Boise Transmission .... Low exposure to market sales
Low exposure to carbon legislation
Access to integrate high capacity wind
resources
P12-Nuclear........................................ Lowest average total cost
Low exposure to carbon legislation
Weaknesses
Heavy reliance on geothermal
Geothermal technology is outside Idaho
Power s area of expertise
High exposure to market purchases
High average total cost
High average total cost
:: ;'--
High exposure to carbon legislation
High exposure to market sales
Heavy reliance on coal
Heavy reliance on natural gas
High average total cost
C "
High exposure to market sales
Heavy reliance on uranium
Nuclear technology is outside Idaho
Power's area of expertise
Long-term waste storage issues
Page 76 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 6. Risk Analysis
over-reliance on certain generation technologies
or fuel types deemed too uncertain. To avoid
confusion with the original portfolios, PI , P3
, and Pll were renamed F1 , F2, F3 , and F4
respectively, to denote the finalist status of the
resulting portfolios. Changes made to the
portfolios are summarized below:
Portfolio FI-Green (originally PI):
The amount of geothermal generation
was reduced from 550 MW to 400 MW
and distributed in 50 MW increments
throughout the planning period. The
amount of transmission resource was
reduced from 510 MW to 285 MW, and
250 MW of pulverized coal was added
in 2013.
Portfolio F2-2004 IRP Preferred
(originally P3): The amount of
geothermal generation was reduced from
225 MW to 150 MW, and the amount of
CHP was increased from 110 MW to
150 MW.
Portfolio F3-Basic Thermal
(originally P4): The amount of
pulverized coal generation was reduced
by 300 MW, and 300 MW of IGCC
generation was added.
Portfolio F4-Bridger to Boise
Transmission (originally PI I): The
amount of wind generation was reduced
from 1 100 MW to 600 MW, and the
amount of geothermal generation was
increased from 50 MW to 150 MW. The
amount of CHP generation was reduced
from 100 MW to 50 MW. Resource
timing was shifted to accommodate
estimated construction lead time
associated with the 500 kV transmission
line.
Idaho Power transmission planning was
consulted using the OASIS Open Access Forum
to estimate the backbone transmission upgrade
costs necessary to integrate each of the finalist
portfolios into Idaho Power s system. The
additional backbone transmission costs were
included in the capital cost of each portfolio for
the final analysis. A summary of each of the
four finalist portfolios is shown in Table 6-
Risk Analysis of
Finalist Portfolios
The objective of the risk analysis is to identify
portfolios that perform well in a variety of
possible scenarios. Each finalist portfolio was
analyzed for quantitative risk associated with
carbon tax, natural gas prices, capital and
construction costs, hydrologic variability, and
market risk. In addition, consideration was
given to qualitative risks such as regulatory
environment, declining Snake River base flows
FERC relic ensing, resource timing and
commitment, resource siting, fuel
implementation, and technology.
Quantitative Risk
Idaho Power conducted a boundary analysis to
assess quantitative risk. For example, the
impacts on the resource portfolios under the
following CO2 emission adder scenarios: 1) no
CO2 adder, 2) a $14 per ton adder, and 3) a $50
per ton adder. Likewise, Idaho Power has
analyzed each portfolio s performance with a
low, expected, and high forecast for natural gas
prices. In addition to the emission adder and
natural gas forecast scenarios, each of the four
finalist portfolios was analyzed to determine the
sensitivity of the portfolio total cost to discount
rate assumptions and construction cost
variances. The impact associated with the
observed historical variability in hydrologic
conditions was also quantified and incorporated
into the analysis. And, finally, market risk was
analyzed to assess exposure related to market
sales and purchases.
The risk analysis presented below analyzes
quantitative risk with a subjective probability
assessment of the boundary conditions. In all of
the boundary condition cases, Idaho Power has
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 77
6. Risk Analysis Idaho Power Company
Table 6-2. Summary of Finalist Portfolios
Resource Summary
Portfolio F1
DSM........................................................
Wind........................................................
Geothermal (Binary)................................
Coal.........................................................
CHP
""""""""""""""""""""""""""'"
Transmission...........................................
Nuclear....................................................
Total Nameplate
Energy.....................................................
Transmission...........................................
Peak........................................................
Portfolio F2
DSM........................................................
Wind........................................................
Geothermal (Binary)................................
CHP.....................................................,..
Transmission...........................................
Coal.........................................................
Nuclear....................................................
Total Nameplate
Energy.....................................................
Transmission...........................................
Peak........................................................
Portfolio F3
DSM........................................................
Wind........................................................
CHP........................................................
Geothermal (Binary)................................
IGCC.......................................................
Coal.........................................................
CT...........................................................
Nuclear....................................................
Total Nameplate
Energy.....................................................
Transmission...........................................
Peak........................................................
Portfolio F4
DSM........................................................
Wind........................................................
CHP ......................,.................................
Transmission...........................................
Geothermal (Binary)................................
Nuclear....................................................
Coal.........................................................
Total Nameplate
Energy.....................................................
Transmission...........................................
Peak........................................................
187
500
450
250
150
285
250
072
215
285
259
187
250
150
150
285
500
250
772
091
285
250
187
100
300
550
170
250
657
187
562
187
600
1,475
150
250
250
962
954
750
923
assigned a probability estimate to the high
expected, and low scenarios. The greatest
likelihood is assigned to the expected case. For
example, under the discount rate assessment of
the capital risk, the expected case was assigned
a probability of 60 percent, the high case was
assigned a probability of 30 percent, and the low
case was assigned a probability of 10 percent.
Each scenario s impact is then weighted by the
assigned probability to arrive at an analytical
assessment of the overall impact of each
particular risk. The analytical assessment of the
overall impact of each qualitative risk is then
summarized to quantify each portfolio
sensitivity to the risks.
Carbon Risk
It is believed that CO2 emissions will be
regulated ,:",ithin the 20-year timeframe
addressed in the 2006 IRP. Over the last few
years, there has been a significant increase in
the number of legislative proposals related to
climate change. There has been a steady
increase in activity ranging from 7 proposals
introduced in the 105th Congress (1997-1998),
to 96 proposals introduced in the 108th Congress
(2003-2004). I The Climate Stewardship Act
(S.139), introduced by Senators McCain and
Lieberman, received 43 votes in the Senate in
2003. At the state level, 28 states either have or
are planning to institute a greenhouse gas
emission reduction strategy. 2 Washington State
recently passed a law regulating CO2 from new
electric generation plants which requires that 20
percent of the CO2 from new plants either be
taxed or be mitigated through offset projec
and Oregon passed a similar law in 1997.4 A
white paper titled "Design Elements of a
I Same as in the lRP
2 "Climate Change Activities in the United States: 2004
Update," Pew Center for Climate Change, March 2004
(www.pewclimate.org).
3 Washington House Bill 3141 , http://access.wa.gov/leg/
2004/ Apr/n20043 1- 0700.aspx.
4 Oregon House bill 3283 , 1997, http://www.energy.state.
or. us/siting! co2 std.htm.
Page 78 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company
Mandatory Market-Based Greenhouse Gas
Regulatory System" was released by Senate
Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Chairman, Senator Pete V. Domenici (R-New
Mexico) and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-New
Mexico).5 The Domenici-Bingaman paper is
another example of the momentum that is
building for carbon controls or some system of
regulations for greenhouse gases.
The magnitude of the CO2 regulation risk faced
by Idaho Power and its customers depends on
the carbon intensity of the portfolio. Portfolios
with a heavy emphasis on carbon-emitting
resources face the risk of increased power
supply costs as a result of future carbon
regulations. Accordingly, Idaho Power believes
it is prudent to incorporate reasonable estimates
for the cost of CO2 emissions into the IRP
resource modeling and analysis, and to actively
seek to lessen the exposure to financial risk
associated with carbon emissions.
The expected case scenario used in the IRP
assumes a cost of $14 per ton in 2006 dollars for
carbon emissions beginning in 2012. The
boundary conditions used in the analysis were
$0 and $50 per ton of CO2 for the low-case and
high-case scenarios. The imputed costs of
carbon emissions used in the risk analysis are
derived from Order 93-695 from the OPUC (the
OPUC order specified costs in 1990 dollars and
the costs have been escalated and rounded to
whole 2006 dollars for the 2006 IRP). While the
OPUC order was the starting point for the CO2
analysis, Idaho Power also confirmed that the
costs represent reasonable estimates of the risk
Idaho Power and its customers face due to
potential future regulation of CO2 emissions.
The CO2 costs used in the 2006 IRP are
consistent with two other recent analyses in the
region. First, in its recent Integrated Resource
Plan, PacifiCorp assessed the range of likely
5 Pew Center http://www.pewclimate.org/policy_center/
analyses/sec/index.cfm
6. Risk Analysis
future scenarios and the associated costs, and
found that $8 per ton (in 2006 dollars) of CO2
was a reasonable value to represent the likely
cost of carbon emissions. Second, a recent
California PUC (CPUC) report also assessed the
range of likely future scenarios of carbon
regulation and the associated costs and
concluded that a reasonable estimate for carbon
costs is around $5 per ton of CO2 in the near
term, $12.50 per ton of CO2 by 2008, and
$17.50 per ton of CO2 by 2013.6 Further, the
California report found carbon adder estimates
ranged from a low of about zero up to $69 per
ton of CO2. In CPUC Decision 05-04-024
(April 7 2005), the CPUC adopted the report'
forecast of CO2 adder values for use in avoided
cost calculations. Both the expected case and
boundary scenarios included in Idaho Power
2006 IRP are consistent with PacifiCorp and the
CPUC analysis. Table 6-3 contains the results of
the carbon risk analysis for each of the
portfolios. A summary of future views on the
cost of reducing CO2 emissions is included in
Appendix D-Technical Appendix.
As illustrated in Table 6-, the weighted CO2
risk is the second largest risk identified in the
quantitative analysis. Portfolio F3 is the most
carbon-intensive portfolio and has the largest
CO2 risk. Portfolio Fl is the least-carbon
intensive portfolio and, predictably, has the
smallest carbon risk. The evaluation of CO2
emission costs is the most significant risk
addressed in the 2006 IRP. The value of the CO2
adder used in the analysis will change the
portfolio power supply costs by up to about $3.
billion. Depending on the CO2 adder
assumptions, Portfolio F3 can range from nearly
the lowest cost portfolio when the CO2 adder is
$0 per ton to the most expensive portfolio when
the CO2 adder is $50 per ton. .
6 Energy and Environmental Economics and Rocky
Mountain Institute A Forecast of Cost Effectiveness
Avoided Costs and Externality Adders prepared for the
California Public Utilities Commission, January 8
2004.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 79
6. Risk Analysis Idaho Power Company
Table 6-3. Carbon Risk Analysis
PV of Portfolio Power Supply Cost ($OOOS)F1 F2 F3
026 335 $4 102 146 $3,877 915 $4 145,480
829 327 $5 051 302 $4 938,464 $5,054 667
635 637 $7 307,411 $7,477 039 $7 235 209
Low Case (CO2 ~ $O/ton, PTC).".."............
Expected Case (CO2 ~ $14/ton, PTC) ........
High Case (CO2 $50/ton PTC) "..............
Probability
30%
50%
20%
Relative Risk
Low Relative to Expected
"""."..................................
High Relative to Expected
.........."""...."....................
CO2 Adder Risk ................................."..............................
Relative Risk......................................................................
1 Based on the 20-year planning period.
Figure 6-1 illustrates the levelized price
sensitivity of several fossil-fuel technologies to
a range of CO2 emission adder values. Key
crossovers occur at emission adder values of
approximately $13 and $28/ton. For CO2 adders
greater than $ 13/ton, IGCC with sequestration is
preferred to IGCC without sequestration.
However, for expected case natural gas prices
pulverized coal technologies yield the lowest
levelized cost for any value of a CO2 adder up to
$28/ton. If the CO2 adder is increased to above
($802 992)
806 310
$120 364
($949 156)
256 109
$166,475
$46 111
($1 060 548)
538 575
$189 551
$69 186
($909 187)
180 542
$163 352
$42 988
$28/ton, then IGCC technology with
sequestration results in the lowest levelized cost.
Another interesting aspect of Figure 6-1 is the
levelized cost crossover points which occur
between technologies for different natural gas
price assumptions. If low natural gas prices are
assumed (levelized $6.O/MMBTU), then for a
CO2 adder above $ 12/ton, natural gas-fired
CCCTs are preferred to pulverized coal. If the
CO2 adder is below $ 12/ton, pulverized coal is
$120
Figure 6-1. Levelized Price for Generating Resources VS. Carbon Adder
$110
$100
- .. -:!::;:
$90
$80
...J
. - .. - .- ~ -
$70
$60
$50
$10 $20
co2 Adder ($fTon of CO2 Emissions)
$40
-CFB
'--~" IGCC wi CO2 Sequestration
Subcritical Pulverized Coal
- - 'CCCT - 2006 IRP HIGH GAS LEVELIZED (fY $10.481MMBtu
- -. - ~ -.. - ~ - -- -
i - - ~
~".,-.'".,":-..,~~"-
r.~.,
,-,..,==""'~_-+-
L_____
$30 $50 $60 $70
-IGCC
-Supercritical Pulverized Coal
- ~ .CCCT - 2006 IRP EXP GAS LEVELIZED (fY $7.881MMBtu
- - 'CCCT - 2006 IRP LOW GAS LEVELIZED (fY $6.191MMBtu
Page 80 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 6. Risk Analysis
Natural Gas Price Risk Analysis
PV of Portfolio Power Supply Cost ($0005)F1 F2 F3
370 093 $5,433 057 $5,426,070 $5,430 309
829 327 $5 051 302 $4 938,464 $5 054 667
174,748 $4 584,172 $4 322 029 $4 679 995
the preferred choice. However, if the CO2 adder
increases to $54/ton, then IGCC with
sequestration is preferable to natural gas-fired
CCCTs.
If expected case gas prices are assumed
(levelized $7.88/MMBTU), the crossover point
between pulverized coal and a CCCT increases
to $411ton. However, for expected case natural
gas prices, the preferred choice is never a CCCT
plant. The preferred choice is pulverized coal
for CO2 adders up to $28/ton and IGCC with
sequestration for CO2 adders above $28/ton. As
illustrated in Figure 6-, natural gas prices and
CO2 adder assumptions are extremely important
in determining the preferred coal technology.
Natural Gas Price Risk
Idaho Power faces two types of natural gas price
risk. Direct risk is the price uncertainty that
Idaho Power faces to acquire natural gas to fuel
its own resources. Indirect risk is the electricity
market uncertainty that Idaho Power faces when
it buys or sells power in a regional market
where natural gas-fired resources set wholesale
power prices. Portfolios that rely heavily on the
market for purchases or sales will face a greater
indirect natural gas price risk. The forecast
effect of natural gas price risks on the total
portfolio costs under expected, low, and high
gas price scenarios are shown in Table 6-4. The
expected, low, and high natural gas price
forecasts are included in Appendix D-Technical
Appendix.
Table 6-
Low Case (Low NG Price)............................
Expected Case (Expected NG Price) ...........
High Case (High NG Price) ..........................
Probability
20%
50%
30%
Relative Risk
Low Relative to Expected "."'."'."""""'."""""."".""
High Relative to Expected...........................................
Natural Gas Price Risk.......................................................
Relative Risk """"""",.,."""""""""""""""."",................
1 Based on the 20-year planning period.
Table 6-4 shows the portfolio power supply
costs under three different gas price scenarios.
The portfolio power supply costs include both
the expenses and revenues associated with all of
the portfolio fuel supply costs, surplus sales , and
costs associated with Idaho Power s existing
resources. In general , since neither Idaho
Power s existing portfolio of resources nor any
of the four preferred portfolios utilize natural
gas-fired resources in baseload service, with the
exception of CHP, most of the risk identified in
this analysis would be classified as indirect
price risk. It is interesting to note that all
portfolios benefit from an increase in natural gas
prices. Portfolio F1 benefits the most, F3
benefits second most, and F2 and F4 benefit to a
, lesser extent. Portfolios F 1 , F2, and F3 all
benefit more under the high-gas price scenario
than they lose under the low-gas price scenario.
The lone exception is F 4, which actually loses
more under a low-gas price scenario than the
portfolio gains under a high-gas price scenario.
Natural gas-fired generation resources are, at
least in part, naturally hedged in certain
markets. When natUral gas-fired resources are
the marginal generation resource setting
regional power prices, an increase in fuel
expense resulting from an increase in gas prices
will most likely be matched by an increase in
wholesale electricity prices. Since the fuel
expense for renewable resources is independent
of natural gas prices, an increase in natural gas
prices may increase the revenue stream from
$540,766
($654 579)
($88,220)
$487 606
($616,435)
($87,409)
$811
$375 642
($374 672)
($37 273)
$50 947
$381 755
($467 130)
($63,788)
$24,432
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 81
6. Risk Analysis
resources that do not rely on natural gas fuels.
Like the renewable energy resources, portfolios
that rely on coal face indirect natural gas price
risk because the natural gas prices affect the
price at which the surplus power is sold in the
regional market.
Capital and Construction Cost Risk
Capital costs and construction cost of each
portfolio represents the capital risk. With the
exception of coal-based IGCC projects, which
present a unique technology risk, the resource
portfolios include mature technologies.
Although geothermal-based generation
resources are unproven on a commercial scale in
Idaho, the technology is considered to be
mature. While capital construction costs are
generally known for the various resources, there
are always risks associated with any major
construction project, including the risk of cost
overruns. One way to mitigate construction cost
risk is to enter into a long-term PP A for the
output of a project-transferring the risk of cost
overruns to the project developer. However
even with a PP , the development and
construction risks are not completely eliminated.
If a developer defaults on a PP A contract, Idaho
Power will have to purchase replacement energy
and rely on litigation to resolve the matter.
Historically, Idaho Power s preference has been
to own hydro, coal-fired, and natural gas-fired
generation resources and enter into PP As for
output from other types of generation resources.
Idaho Power Company
The impacts associated with a 10 percent cost
overrun are shown in Table 6-
The portfolio discount rate sensitivity quantifies
the effects on the present value of the portfolio
power supply costs as a result of changes in
Idaho Power s discount rate. Ifldaho Power
cost of capital increases or decreases as a result
of changes in borrowing costs, the calculation of
the present value of each portfolio s costs will
change when evaluated at either higher or lower
discount rates. In addition to the effects on
borrowing costs, changes in the discount rate
may also affect the value of a portfolio. For
example, if the sum of the benefits produced by
two portfolios over a given time period are
equal, but the benefits occur earlier in one
portfolio, the relative difference in value
between the portfolios will decrease as the
discount rate is lowered. Likewise, the relative
difference in value between the portfolios will
increase as the discount rate is increased. Given
current interest rate levels, Idaho Power believes
there is a greater probability that interest rates
will go up in the future. This belief is reflected
in the probabilities assigned in this analysis and
is shown along with the portfolio sensitivity to
discount rate assumptions in Table 6-
Hydrologic Variability Risk
A large proportion ofldaho Power s generation
comes from hydroelectric projects located on
the Snake River in southern Idaho. The yearly
Table 6-5. Cost of Construction Risk Analysis
($0005)
040 547 $5,273,473 765 601 159,336
382 172 691 944 301 965 949 095
$690 228 ($389 979)$257 150
Construction Cost....................................................................................
Construction Cost (PV) """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""'"............
Construction Cost Relative to Lowest Cost Portfolio
...............................
Adjustments for Possible PPAs
Total Construction Cost Potentially Transferred to PPAs......
Net Idaho Power Construction ........."...................................
Adjusted Construction at Risk...............................................
Cost of Construction Risk.............................................................
Weighted Risk..............................................................................
Real $4,404,463 502 606 $1,432 392 091 099
PV $2 339,479 159 772 $708,882 289,233
Real $1 636 084 770,867 $3,333 210 068,237
PV $1 042 694 $1,532,172 593,084 659 861
PV $1 042 694 532 172 593 084 659,861
10%
$104 269 $153 217 $159,308 $165 986
2006 Integrated Resource PlanPage 82
Idaho Power Company 6. Risk Analysis
Table 6-6. Capital Risk Analysis (Discount Rate)
PV of Portfolio Power Supply Cost ($0005)
Probability F1 F2 F3
Low Case (4.93%)........................................ 10% $5 957,429 $6 226 562 $6 101 501 $6 280 252
Expected Case (6.93%) ............................... 60% $4 829,327 $5 051 302 $4 938,464 $5,054 667
High Case (8.93%)....................................... 30% $4 191 850 $4 279,459 $4 176,338 $4 288,426
Relative Risk
Low Relative to Expected ...........................................
High Relative to Expected...........................................
Capital Risk........................................................................
Relative Risk ......................................................................
1 Based on the 20-year planning period.
variation in flows in the Snake and Columbia
River systems directly affect Idaho Power
overall power supply costs. The cost sensitivity
of the four finalist portfolios to the historic
yearly variance in hydro conditions of the Snake
and Columbia Rivers was evaluated for this
analysis. Each of the four finalist portfolios was
simulated in the Aurora electric market model
over the 20-year planning period using a
sampling of 20-year streamflow sequences
selected from the 1928-2002 normalized
hydrologic record for the Columbia and Snake
River Basins. The 20-year streamflow
sequences were selected at 5-year increments
starting with 1928 (i., 1928-1947
1933-1952). This selection process resulted in
16 separate streamflow sequences used for the
analysis. For simulations using hydro sequences
starting after 1984, the 20-year sequence was
wrapped to append data from the beginning of
the hydrologic record so that all streamflow
samples contain a 20-year period of data.
Assumptions used in the hydrologic variability
analysis include the expected 20-year forecast
for fuel prices , 50th percentile average load, 90th
percentile peak-hour load, CO2 at $14 per ton
beginning in 2012, and the renewable PTC
phasing out in 2012. The present value of the
total portfolio cost for each of the 16 sequences
is shown in Figure 6-2. Portfolio F3 resulted in
the lowest total cost of the four portfolios, and
Portfolio F1 has the least variability with a
standard deviation of $404 033. Summary
128 102
($637,477)
($78 433)
$35 594
175 260
($771 843)
($114 027)
163 037
($762 126)
($112 334 )
693
225 585
($766 241)
($107 314)
$6,713
statistics for all of the portfolios are shown in
Table 6-
Table 6-7. Summary Statistics of
Hydrologic Variability Analysis
Average
Total Cost
($0005)
105 714
152 612
906 168
215 530
Market Risk
Each of the finalist portfolios was evaluated
with respect to its exposure to market sales and
purchases. Each portfolio relies on the regional
market for sales when Idaho Power has surplus
energy or purchases during times when
customer demand exceeds total generation. A
summary of the market risk analysis is shown in
Table 6-
Because the resource planning criteria eliminate
the monthly energy deficiencies for all
portfolios, under no portfolio is Idaho P~wer a
net importer of power. Under all portfolIos
Idaho Power is a net exporter of power and
customers benefit from regional market sales.
However, as a seller of power, Idaho Power is
exposed to the risk that market prices will
decline when making sales. Likewise, Idaho
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 83
Portfolio
Standard Deviation
of Population
($OOOs)
$404 033
$426,159
$417 646
$433 850
6. Risk Analysis Idaho Power Company
Figure 2. Hydrologic Variability Portfolio Comparison ($OOOs)
Table 8. Market Risk Analysis
PV of Portfolio Power Supply Cost ($0005)F1 F2 F3
829 327 $5 051 302 $4 938,464 $5 054 667
($3,129 008) ($2 342 043) ($2,674,437) ($2 097 896)
$202,083 $343,787 $249 795 $428 502
000 000
500 000
000 000
500 000 r--
~ /
000 000
-t- F-
Power is also exposed to the risk of an increase
in market prices when it is purchasing power.
All market participants, including Idaho Power
face price risks when buying or selling in the
market. The magnitude of the risk depends on
the characteristics of the portfolio of power
supply resources. Portfolios with a large
quantity of either market sales or market
purchases have greater exposure to changes in
market prices.
As indicated in Table 6-, Portfolio F1 has the
most surplus sales and, therefore, the most
exposure to a decrease in market prices.
Total Portfolio Power Supply Cost (Expected NG Price) ...
Market Sales (Expected Case)..........................................
Market Purchases (Expected Case)..................................
Sensitivity to a 10% Decrease in Market Sales .................
Sensitivity to a 10% Increase in Market Purchases...........
Market Risk ...............................,.......................................
Relative Risk ..................................................,..................
1 Based on the 20-year planning period.
'I .
y---- "--:'"
--- F-,~.--' F-
Portfolio F4 has the most market purchases and
likewise, the most exposure to an increase in
market price. Market exposure is reduced in
portfolios that minimize the amount of market
purchases and surplus sales. Overall, the
analysis indicates that Portfolio F 1 has the most
downside market risk while Portfolio F4 has the
least downside market risk.
. .
Figure 6-3 compares the present value of
risk-adjusted portfolio costs for each of the
finalist portfolios over the 20-year planning
period. Appendix D- Technical Appendix
contains additional information regarding the
$312 901
$20 208
$333 109
$80,469
$234 204
$34 379
$268 583
$15 943
$267,444
$24 980
$292 423
$39 783
$209 790
$42 850
$252 640
Page 84 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 6. Risk Analysis
Figure 6-3. Present Value of Risk Adjusted Portfolio Costs
5,700 000
600 000
500 000
400 000
300 000
1/1
g 5 200 000
t.A-
100 000
000 000
900 000
800 000 "
:"'/
700 000
---+- F---- F-
CO2 Adder ($fTon of CO2 Emissions)
---
,-- F-
total risk-adjusted present value portfolio costs
over the entire range of CO2 adder analyzed in
the 2006 Integrated Resource Plan.
Qualitative Risk
The qualitative risks associated with the four
finalist portfolios are more difficult to assess.
The goal is to select a portfolio that is likely to
withstand unforeseen events. By building on the
2004 IRP strategy of utilizing a diverse mix of
smaller, short lead-time resources, the 2006
preferred plan incorporates the flexibility to
adjust resource timing in the shorter term by
either accelerating or deferring actual in-service
dates to more closely match actual load growth.
The 20-year planning horizon of the 2006 IRP
incorporates additional long lead-time
resources, including an additional coal-fired
plant, transmission projects, additional
geothermal resources , and a nuclear project.
While the 20-year planning horizon provides a
better view of future resource needs, proceeding
with participation agreements or incurring
development costs for resources required later in
the 20-year planning period does present a
commitment risk.
Regulatory Risk
Idaho Power is a regulated utility with an
obligation to serve its customer load and
therefore, is subject to regulatory risk. Idaho
Power expects that future resource additions
will be approved for inclusion in the rate base
and that it will be allowed to earn a fair rate of
return on its investment. Idaho Power includes
public involvement in the IRP process through
an IRP Advisory Council and by opening the
IRP Advisory Council meetings to the public.
The open public process allows a public
discussion of the IRP and establishes a
foundation of customer understanding and
support for resource additions when the plan is
submitted for approval. The open public process
reduces the regulatory risk associated with
developing a resource plan.
Significant changes in public policy represent
risks that must be considered in a resource plan
involving long-lived assets. In addition to the
CO2 risk, other possible changes in public
policy, such as the implementation of an RPS
could impact Idaho Power and have been
considered in this plan. Although the RPS
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 85
6. Risk Analysis Idaho Power Company
effects are not presented in quantitative terms, a
balanced portfolio helps to position Idaho Power
to meet an RPS in the event such regulations are
enacted. Along with the possible enactment of
an RPS, the question of whether or not Idaho
Power should purchase green tags or Renewable
Energy Credits (RECs) was considered. Green
tags and RECs are discussed in more detail in
the Public Policy section in Chapter
Declining Snake River Base Flows
Idaho Power has senior water rights on the
Snake River and is very concerned about the
declining base flows in the Snake River. The
declining base flows have the potential to
dramatically lower the energy output from the
Snake River hydropower system. The 2006 IRP
resource requirement is based on 70th percentile
water conditions as determined by the historical
record. If Snake River streamflows continue to
decline, Idaho Power will require additional
resources to meet customer load. The declining
Snake River flows have caught the attention of
many parties including the State Legislature, the
State Department of Water Resources, the water
users, the river naturalists, and Idaho Power.
FERC Relicensing Risk
A reduction in operational flexibility as a result
of the FERC relicensing process will have a
negative impact on Idaho Power s ability to
economically meet its customers ' needs.
Working within the constraints of the original
FERC licenses, the Hells Canyon Complex has
historically provided operational flexibility
which has benefited Idaho Power s customers.
As a result of the FERC relicensing process
operational requirements, such as minimum
reservoir elevations, minimum flows, and
limitations on ramping rates , may become more
stringent. The loss of operational flexibility will
limit Idaho Power s ability to control the flow of
water through the Hells Canyon Complex and
ultimately, any loss of operational flexibility
will increase power supply costs.
Three of the four finalist portfolios add at least
250 MW of additional wind resources, and one
portfolio adds 600 MW of wind resources. One
reason Idaho Power can economically add wind
resources is because of the inherent flexibility in
its hydropower system. Idaho Power intends to
use the flexibility of the Snake River
hydropower system-especially the operational
flexibility of the Hells Canyon Complex-
integrate new wind resources. Reductions in the
operational flexibility of the Snake River
hydropower system will require that Idaho
Power add additional generation resources to
serve peak-hour loads, and furthermore, a
reduction in operational flexibility may
negatively affect the ability of Idaho Power to
economically integrate wind resources.
Resource Commitment Risk
Idaho Power also faces risk in the timing of, and
commitment to, new resources. There are a
number of factors that influence the actual
timing of resource planning. Examples include
economic growth in the service area, electricity
usage patterns, performance of existing
resources, and the pace of PURP A resource
development. During the preparation of the
2004 IRP, Idaho Power recognized that early
commitment to a large resource might be
inadvisable. However, while early commitment
to a large resource is still a concern, there is also
a growing concern that Idaho Power needs to
initiate the development of baseload resources
to avoid being caught in a situation where a
combustion turbine becomes the only resource
that can be successfully deployed in time to
meet forecast peak-hour loads. The Advisory
Council members still agree that it is prudent to
pursue a variety of resource types to spread the
risk of policy, siting, and system integration
issues. The preferred plan addresses this
uncertainty by adding a diverse mixture of
resources in smaller increments, such as a
reduction in size of the 500 MW coal-fired
resource which was identified in the 2004 IRP
and was expected to be on-line in 2011. The
I, :
( ._- -
Page 86 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 6. Risk Analysis
2006lRP has reduced the size of the coal-fired
resource to 250 MW, and the on-line date has
been delayed until 2012 or later depending on
the portfolio.
Resource Siting Risk
The risks associated with resource siting and
public acceptance is clearly an issue that must
be considered. Resource siting becomes even
more critical when attempting to locate a
generation resource close to an existing load
center. In addition to navigating the permitting
requirements associated with developing
generation resources, Idaho Power must also
ensure that public opposition to the project is
not of such a magnitude that successful
development of the project is jeopardized.
While Idaho Power does not anticipate
developing future generation projects that are
impractical from a public acceptance standpoint
it is clear that widespread public opposition to a
project can result in permitting delays, increased
development costs, delays in the project's
commercial operation date and, in some
instances, cancellation of a project. The
problems Sempra encountered during the past
two years with the Idaho Valley project near
Twin Falls , Idaho, and the difficulties Idaho
Power faced with the Gamet Project are
indicative of the risks associated with resource
siting and public acceptance.
Fuel, Implementation,
and Technology Risks
The finalist portfolios contain a diverse range of
generating resources each with differing
implementation, fuel, and technology risks. The
relative risk of the finalist portfolios is subject to
debate, but assumed to be equal for the
quantitative analysis shown above , meaning that
the risk of high interest rates or the risk of a
carbon tax is independent of the chosen
portfolio. However, each portfolio may respond
differently to the individual risk scenario.
The following section highlights specific
resources within the portfolios and describes
Idaho Power s interpretation of the risk profiles
associated with each resource and acknowledges
that the portfolios may contain unique and
differing risks.
Fuel-Related Risks
Geothermal: There exist differing
opinions on the quantity and quality of
developable geothermal sites within
Idaho Power s control area. The absence
of proven reserves of geothermal energy
increases the risks associated with
Portfolio F 1 , which relies heavily on
geothermal resources.
Coal: There are a number of concerns
with coal-fired resources. If a coal-fired
project is not developed at or near the
coal mine, then fuel transportation
becomes a significant concern. Fuel-
related issues that must be considered
include uncertainty of future
transportation rates, the terms and
conditions of future rail contracts, and
the adequacy of service by the railroads.
In addition, if the coal supply is not
controlled or owned by Idaho Power
then there is uncertainty regarding future
fuel costs. One way to address the coal
price uncertainty is to negotiate
long-term contracts with the coal
companies. Another option is to acquire
rights to the coal reserve and develop a
mine-mouth project similar to the Jim
Bridger plant.
Nuclear: Fueling for nuclear plants is
not anticipated to be a problem;
however, no long-term solution for
nuclear waste storage is currently
available. The lack of along-term waste
storage facility increases the risks of
environmental damage and adverse
human health effects from a spent
nuclear fuel containment breach. The
uncertainty surrounding the costs of
waste storage, as well as the potential
costs of nuclear contamination, increase
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 87
6. Risk Analysis Idaho Power Company
the risk associated with nuclear
generation.
Natural gas: Southern Idaho is served
by the Northwest Pipeline Corporation
and the pipeline is fully subscribed.
Additional capacity needs will have to
be met by either purchasing capacity
from others or acquired by expanding
the existing pipeline system.
Implementation and Operation Risk
Transmission: The strategy of building
additional transmission capacity without
the certainty of having the right to call
on a specific resource that is dedicated to
providing Idaho Power s energy needs
contains a higher degree of operational
risk than building transmission with a
dedicated resource. The Pacific
Northwest transmission projects
identified in Portfolios F 1 , F2 , and F 4
increase Idaho Power s access to the
highly liquid markets surrounding the
Mid-C trading hub. The transmission
project between Wyoming and Idaho
identified in Portfolio F4 is developed to
support the implementation of Wyoming
and Idaho wind and eastern Idaho
geothermal resources, as well as
accessing additional energy and capacity
from the regional energy market to serve
peak-hour needs. One of the assumptions
embedded in Portfolio F4 is that energy
will be available or contracted for
purchase at the times Idaho Power needs
the energy and capacity to service
critical peak-hour loads.
Nuclear: The INL Advanced Nuclear
project is subject to federal politics and
the U.S. Congress may materially alter
the project or eliminate the project for
unrelated political reasons. In addition
Idaho Power s ability to successfully
negotiate an acceptable PP A for output
of a completed project is speculative.
Geothermal: Idaho Power has limited
experience in contracting, identifying,
and developing geothermal electrical
generation facilities and no experience
building or operating such facilities. The
lack of direct geothermal experience
increases the risk associated with the
development of geothermal resources.
,: -
Page 88
Coal: Idaho Power s coal-fired
resources are all jointly-owned with
other utilities. While it is likely that
Idaho Power s next coal-fired resource
will be a jointly-owned facility, the exact
ownership arrangement has not been
decided. Jointly-owned facilities enable
minority participants to realize the
economies of scale enjoyed with a larger
resource, while reducing the risk
associated with having a large amount of
generation on a single shaft
solely-owned large project. However, a
jointly-owned facility will likely require
siting of the facility to be a compromise
rather than sited specifically to serve
Idaho Power s load.
Siting: Several generation types require
the facility to be sited at the source of
the motive force. This is especially true
of renewable resources such as wind
geothermal, and hydro projects. Often
the projects are located in remote
locations far from load centers. Remote
locations increase the development and
transmission costs associated with the
renewable resources. Likewise, some
fuel types such as coal, gas, or nuclear
may encounter public and political
pressure against a project being located
near load centers or being constructed at
all.
DSM Implementation: The DSM
implementation risk is the likelihood that
the actual energy savings and peak
reductions from the projected DSM
programs will be significantly different
2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company
than the projected energy savings and
peak reduction targets. Should the actual
energy savings and peak reductions be
less than the estimated values , Idaho
Power may require additional
supply-side resources to meet customer
load. If the DSM programs exceed the
estimated savings, future supply-side
resources may be delayed.
Technology Risk
Technology risk is an area that Idaho Power
must consider in the 2006 IRP. The principal
area in which technology risk is considered in
this IRP is the uncertainty associated with
developing new advanced coal technologies
such as IGCC as compared to developing a
conventional or an advanced supercritical or
ultra-supercritical cycle pulverized coal-fired
resource with state-of-the-art emission-control
technology. IGCC resources provide increased
efficiency, reduced emissions, and the ability to
capture and potentially sequester CO2 emissions
at reduced costs. However, the trade-offs for
IGCC plants are higher capital costs and the
uncertainty of the technology. The different
aspects of the IGCC trade-offs are discussed in
more detail in the Public Policy section in
Chapter 1.
While there are certain risks associated with
each type of generation resource, Idaho Power is
specifically concerned about the technology risk
associated with IGCC projects. IGCC projects
have received a considerable amount of
attention in the press recently. Idaho Power is
supportive of IGCC technology and believes
that IGCC technology may playa significant
role in meeting the nation s future energy needs.
However, Idaho Power also believes that there
is a technology risk associated with developing
an IGCC project for use with western coals.
With only two operating IGCC projects in the
entire United States, much of the electric
industry-including Idaho Power-does not
consider an IGCC project to be proven
technology. Considering Idaho Power s modest
6. Risk Analysis
size and the cost of an IGCC project, Idaho
Power believes it would be imprudent to assume
the IGCC development risk alone. However
Idaho Power does believe that taking a lesser
share in a jointly-owned regional IGCC project
is an appropriate way for Idaho Power to share
the IGCC technology risk.
Risk Analysis Summary
The five types of risk previously addressed in
the quantitative analysis (CO2 adder, natural gas
prices, capital and construction costs, and
market risk) are summarized in Table 6-9. In all
cases, natural gas price risk is shown as a
negative number, indicating a reduction in
portfolio power supply costs. Hydrologic
variability risk is not included in the risk-
adjusted total portfolio costs shown in Table 6-
due to the magnitude of the results.
Portfolio F 1 began the quantitative risk analysis
with the lowest portfolio power supply costs at
$4.8 billion, which is about $100 million lower
that Portfolio F3 , and about $225 million lower
than resource Portfolios F2 and F4. After
incorporating the weighted risks considered in
the quantitative risk analysis, Portfolio F1 still
has the lowest risk adjusted total portfolio
cost-$5.8 billion. Portfolio F4 finished in
second place with a risk-adjusted total portfolio
cost of $5.9 billion, F2 finished in third place
with a cost of$6.0 billion, and F4 finished in
fourth place with a risk-adjusted total portfolio
cost of $6.1 billion. It is interesting to note less
than five percent separates the lowest and
highest cost portfolios, indicating each of the
finalist portfolios may present a reasonable
alternative.
In addition to the quantitative aspects of the
analysis, there are also the qualitative aspects to
consider. The qualitative aspects to consider
include changes in public policy, such as the
implementation of an RPS , public acceptance
resource timing and commitment, technology
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 89
6. Risk Analysis Idaho Power Company
Table 6-9. Risk Analysis Summary
Expected Portfolio Cost.....................................................
Backbone Transmission Upgrade Cost
............................
CO2 Tax Risk (from Table 6-3) ..........................................
Natural Gas Price Risk (from Table 6-4)............................
Cost of Construction Risk (from Table 6-5) .......................
Capital Risk (from Table 6-6).............................................
Market Risk (from Table 6-8).............................................
Risk Adjusted Total Portfolio Cost .....................................
Total Portfolio Cost Risk Adjusted Rank............................
Relative Risk Adjusted Portfolio Cost
W2 R~.....................................................................
Natural Gas Price Risk ......................................................
Cost of Construction Risk..................................................
Capital Risk .......................................................................
Market Risk .......................................................................
Relative Quantified Risk ....................................................
829 327
$580 956
$120 364
($88 220)
$104 269
($78,433)
$333 109
801 373
20-Year Present Value ($0005)F2
$5,051 302 $4 938,464
$525,737 $643 867
$166,475 $189 551
($63,788) ($87,409)
$153 217 $159 308
($114 027) ($112 334)
$268 583 $292,423
987,499 $6 023 869
$46 111
$24,432
$39 038
$69 186
$811
$91 212
693
$39,783
$166 512
$35 594
$80,469
$116 063
$15,943
$135,434
Relative Risk Ranking
CO2 Tax Risk.....................................................................
Natural Gas Price Risk ......................................................
Cost of Construction Risk..................................................
Capital Risk .......................................................................
Market Risk .......................................................................
Relative Quantified Risk Ranking ......................................
1 Transmission upgrade cost not accounted for in specific portfolio resource estimates.
risks, and regulatory risks. Considering the
portfolios individually:
Fl. Portfolio F1 resulted in the lowest
risk-adjusted total portfolio cost, but
Idaho Power has serious concerns
regarding implementation of this
portfolio. Portfolio F 1 adds the most
renewable generation, 950 MW, which
may be beneficial. However, relying on
a portfolio with 450 MW of geothermal
resources given that there are no utility
scale geothermal projects operational in
Idaho may be overly optimistic. If
proposals received as a result of the
current geothermal RFP indicate that an
abundant supply of cost-effective
geothermal projects is available from
qualified developers , then Idaho Power
will consider increasing its reliance on
geothermal generation. However, until
that time, Idaho Power is reluctant to
054 667
$394 606
$163 352
($37 273)
$165 986
($107 314)
$252 640
886 664
$42 988
$50 947
$28 503
713
$162 365
(' c
'- '
select a portfolio with 450 MW of
geothermal generation. Geothermal
generation will be reassessed in Idaho
Power s 2008 IRP, and the quantity
may be increased at that time depending
on the development status of
geothermal resources in Idaho.
F3. Portfolio F3 is the basic thermal
portfolio. Portfolio F3 is the most
carbon-intensive of the finalist
portfolios and finished in second place.
One of the interesting characteristics of
this portfolio is its sensitivity to the
carbon adder. Depending on the carbon
tax scenario, Portfolio F3 has the
potential to be nearly the least-
expensive or the most-expensive of the
resource portfolios. The fact that this
portfolio can go from nearly the least-
to the most-expensive portfolio based
on CO2 adder assumptions represents an
'-.".
Page 90 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 6. Risk Analysis
unacceptable level of inherent risk.
Another disadvantage of selecting
Portfolio F3 is that it adds the least
amount of new renewable resources and
provides the least amount of protection
for Idaho Power if a state or federal
RPS is implemented.
F4. Portfolio F4 includes the 900 MW
transmission line from Bridger to Boise.
Adding the Bridger to Boise
transmission line will provide the
capability to integrate additional
generation from the Jim Bridger Project
and additional wind and geothermal
resources. However, this portfolio may
place an undue reliance on the
Wyoming energy market. Portfolio F4
includes purchases of 525 MW from
Wyoming to satisfy peak-hour needs in
2016. The Wyoming market is still a
small regional electric market due to the
limited number of market participants
and the fact that participants in the
Wyoming market may have coincident
peak-hour energy needs. The limited
Wyoming market may result in reduced
amounts of available energy and higher
prices. Idaho Power is uncomfortable
with the assumption that 525 MW can
be purchased during summertime
peak-load hours from either the
Wyoming market or the east side of its
system.
F2. Portfolio F2 is an extension of the 2004
IRP preferred portfolio. The resource
configuration has been adjusted to
reflect Idaho Power s current
assessment of its future needs. Several
of the changes address concerns
expressed by the IPUC and OPUC
regarding the 2004 IRP. Portfolio F2
refines both the size and timing of the
500 MW coal-fired resource originally
identified in the 2004IRP. Portfolio F2
includes 250 MW of pulverized coal in
2013 and 250 MW of IGCC in 2017.
Portfolio F2 also incorporates a
transmission upgrade from McN ary
(Mid-C) to Boise. Idaho Power has
historically been able to supply summer
peaking needs from the Pacific
Northwest, and it recognizes that the
Mid-C market is far larger and more
established that the regional energy
markets on the east side of its system.
Idaho Power believes that Portfolio F2
provides a balanced approach to
meeting future resource needs.
Figure 6-4 shows the load forecast risk under
the high- and low-load growth scenarios faced
by adopting Portfolio F2. Portfolio F2 closely
matches the capacity required to meet the
expected load forecast during the early years of
the planning period. As would be the case with
any large resource, adding 250 MW of
coal-fired generation in 2012 leads to a
temporary energy surplus during the time that
Idaho Power receives the plant output.
If actual customer load turns out to be either
higher or lower than the expected load forecast
then the timing and size of the resource RFPs in
F2 can be adjusted to accommodate the realized
customer load. Flexibility in the RFP process
helps Idaho Power meet changing loads and also
allows the developers to respond to the RFP
with more cost-effective proposals. Idaho Power
expects to offer similar flexibility in the DSM
and renewable RFPs.
Portfolio F2 has a diverse mix of generation
resources balanced between renewable
resources and traditional thermal resources. The
qualitative risks associated with policy changes
resource timing, siting, and public acceptance
are difficult to forecast. However, a diverse
portfolio will have less exposure to the
qualitative risks considered in this IRP than will
a portfolio concentrated on one resource type or
one resource strategy. The risk analysis supports
the conclusion that F2, with its blended
approach, is Idaho Power s preferred portfolio.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 91
6. Risk Analysis Idaho Power Company
Figure 6-4. Portfolio F2 (Capacity Compared to Low, Expected, and High Peak-Hour Load Forecast)
200
000
800
600
1,400
. 1 200
~ 1 000
800
600
400
200
200
. .
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
. ;
EJqJected Case Low Case High Case -F2 Capacity (Including Transmission)
During the June 20th IRP AC meeting, the
IRP AC and members of the public were asked
to rate the likelihood of construction of each of
the four finalist portfolios. The results indicated
that F2 and F 4 were judged to have the highest
likelihood of construction (F2 finished just
slightly ahead ofF4). Given Idaho Power
supply-related concerns with F4 noted above
Idaho Power believes that Portfolio F2 is a
prudent resource choice. In summary, the
advantages of Portfolio F2 are:
Judged by the IRP AC as having the
highest likelihood of construction
Idaho Power believes the key issues to be
considered in the 2006 IRP are:
The timing and costs of potential future
carbon taxes and greenhouse gas
regulation
. .
Provides diversification of Idaho
Power s overall resource mix
Positions Idaho Power to meet potential
public policy changes (CO2 risk and an
RPS)
Reduces the amount of near-term
coal-fired generation from 500 MW in
the 2004 IRP to 250 MW
Provides additional time for continued
deployment and refinement of IGCC
technology for use with western coals
. .i
Future natural gas prices
Technology risks associated with new
generation technologies~principally,
IGCC; however, utility scale geothermal
is unproven in Idaho as well
The possibility of a federal RPS
The ability to permit, develop, and
construct generation and transmission
resources in a timely manner
The rate of future PURP A resource
development is also a concern, but can
Page 92 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 6. Risk Analysis
be addressed through the iterative nature
of the IRP process
Idaho Power believes that Portfolio F2 outlines
a balanced and flexible approach to meet future
resource needs given the level of uncertainty
associated with the key issues mentioned above.
Idaho Power s 2006 resource strategy can be
summed up as follows:
Incorporate cost-effective DSM
programs and add cost-effective
renewable generation to reduce the
carbon intensity ofldaho Power
resource portfolio which prepares the
company in the event that carbon taxes
an RPS, or GHG regulations are enacted
Take the steps necessary to add an
increment of baseload resources (coal
and transmission) to meet near-term
resource needs
Minimize technology risk by
investigating opportunities to participate
in a jointly-owned IGCC project in the
near-term and deferring larger
commitments to IGCC technology until
a later date
Maintain flexibility in the near-term plan
to incorporate additional geothermal and
wind resources if they are proven to be
reliable and cost effective.
It is important to note that the final objective of
the risk analysis is not to exactly quantify the
risk associated with a portfolio. Instead, the risk
analysis is designed to identify a portfolio that
leads to 20-year and near-term action plans that
are resilient to the different risks. The objective
is to arrive at an IRP that meets the projected
needs of the customers, as well as a plan that
can accommodate economic and political
changes at the least cost to Idaho Power and its
customers. The action plans resulting from
selecting Portfolio F2 are discussed in
Chapters 7 and 8.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 93
6. Risk Analysis Idaho Power Company
" ,\ ,, .
i, ,
c. ;
Co'
Page 94 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 7. Ten-Year Resource Plan
7. TEN..'(EAR
RESOURCE PLAN
Introductjon
Although the planning horizon in Idaho Power
2006 IRP has been extended to 20 years, a
1 O-year resource plan is provided to outline the
activities necessary to implement the preferred
portfolio. Because the IRP is updated biennially
and a new preferred portfolio will be selected in
the 2008 IRP, a detailed action plan extending
beyond 10 years is unnecessary.
Portfolio F2 consists of a diversified set of
supply-side and demand-side resources and has
been selected as the preferred portfolio. The
preferred portfolio adds supply-side and
demand-side resources capable of supplying
approximately 1 , I 00 MW of average energy and
250 MW of capacity to meet peak-hour loads.
In addition, Portfolio F2 provides 285 MW of
additional transmission capacity from the
Pacific Northwest. The distribution of
supply-side and demand-side resources included
in Portfolio F2 is shown in Table 7-
Selecting Portfolio F2 provides Idaho Power
with a forecasted schedule of events as outlined
in Table 7-2. It is important to note that this
preferred portfolio selection is based on a
number of forecasts and assumptions. Many
factors can impact the actual timing of activities
listed here and therefore, by design the 10-year
resource plan incorporates a certain amount of
flexibility. Idaho Power expects to use the RFP
process to acquire certain supply-side resources.
Table 7-Portfolio F2 (Supply-Side and
Demand-Side Resources)
Nameplate
Rating Energy Capacity
(MW)(aMW)(MW)
Supply-Side..............300 001 063
Demand-Side ...........187 187
Subtotal 1 ,487 091 250
Transmission............285 285 285
Total 772 376 535
RFPs for the first two resource additions-
100 MW of wind generation and a 100 MW
geothermal resource-are both underway.
successful bidder was recently announced for
the wind RFP, and the geothermal RFP was
released in June 2006. Both the wind and
geothermal RFPs were identified in Idaho
Power s 2004 IRP. Depending on the amount of
PURP A wind generation developed on Idaho
Power s system and the results of the wind
integration study, Idaho Power expects to issue
an RFP in 2009 for an additional 150 MW of
wind generation.
Highlights
The 2006 IRP includes 1 300 MW (nameplate) of supply-side resource additions to
Idaho Power s resource portfolio over the 20-year planning period.
The supply-side resource additions are expected to provide 1 001 aMW of energy and
063 MW of capacity.
Not included in the totals above , Idaho Power has committed to adding a 170 MW
combustion turbine in 2008 at the Oanskin site and performing a 49 MW upgrade at the
Shoshone Falls Hydroelectric Project in 2010.
The 2006 IRP also includes OSM programs designed to reduce Idaho Power s average
load by 90 aMW annually and the: summertime peak-hour load by 187 MW.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 95
7. Ten-Year Resource Plan Idaho Power Company
Table 7-2. Portfolio F2 (10-Year Resource Plan)
September 2006
1. 2006 Integrated Resource Plan submitted to the
Idaho and Oregon Public Utility Commissions
Fall 2006
1. Idaho Power concludes 100 MW wind RFP issued
in response to the 2004 IRP
2. Notify short-listed bidders in 100 MW geothermal
RFP issued in response to the 2004 IRP
3. McNary-Boise transmission upgrade process
initiated
4. Develop implementation plans for new DSM
programs with guidance from the EEAG
5. Continue coal-fired resource evaluation with Avista
and consider expansion opportunities at Idaho
Power s existing projects (Jim Bridger, Boardman
and Val my)
6. Investigate opportunities to increase participation
the highly successful Irrigation Peak Rewards DSM
program
7. Complete wind integration study
8. Evaluate the Rider level to fund DSM program
expansion
2007
1. Finalize DSM implementation plans and budgets
with guidance from the EEAG
2. 100 MW geothermal RFP concluded
3. Assess CHP development in progress via PURPA
process-consider issuing RFP for 50 MW CHP
depending on level of PURPA development
4. Identify leading candidate site(s) for coal-fired
resource addition and begin permitting activities
5. 225 MW McNary-Boise transmission upgrade-
studies in progress
6. 100 MW wind on-line
7. Evaluate/initiate DSM programs
8. Select coal fired resource, finalize contracts, begin
design, procurement, and pre-construction activities
Activity
2008
1. 225 MW McNary-Boise transmission upgrade-final
commitments
2. 250 MW Borah-West transmission upgrade complete
3. 170 MW Danskin expansion on-line
4. Evaluate/initiate DSM programs
5. Prepare and file 2008 IRP
2009
1. 150 MW wind RFP issued
2. 50 MW geothermal resource on-line-possibly more
depending on response to the 2006 RFP
3. Evaluate/initiate DSM programs
2010
1. 50 MW CHP on-line
2. Evaluate/initiate DSM programs
. 3. 49 MW Shoshone Falls upgrade on-line
4. Prepare and file 2010 IRP
2011
1. Evaluate/initiate DSM programs
2012
1. 225 MW McNary-Boise transmission upgrade complete
2. 150 MW wind on-line
3. Evaluate/initiate DSM programs
4. Prepare and file 2012 IRP
2013
1. 250 MW coal-fired generation on-line
2. Evaluate/initiate DSM programs
2014
1. Evaluate/initiate DSM programs
2. Prepare and file 2014 IRP
I,:
2015
1. Evaluate/initiate DSM programs
Idaho Power intends to work with EEAG to
initiate the demand-side activities identified in
the 2006 Integrated Resource Plan.
Supply..Side Resources
The 2006 IRP identifies 1 300 MW (nameplate
rating) of supply-side resource additions to
Idaho Power s supply-side portfolio. The new
resources are expected to provide 1 00 I aMW of
energy and 1 063 MW of capacity. The new
resources identified in the 2006.IRP do not
include the 170 MW Danskin combustion
turbine scheduled to be on-line in 2008, or the
49 MW Shoshone Falls upgrade, scheduled to
be on-line in 2010. Both the Danskin addition
and the Shoshone Falls upgrade are considered
to be committed resources in Idaho Power
2006 IRP and are not included in Portfolio F2'
300 MW total.
In the near-term, Idaho Power plans to add up to
100 MW of wind generation by the end of 2007
and up to 100 MW of geothermal generation in
2009. Idaho Power expects to follow the wind
and geothermal additions with approximately
50 MW ofCHP generation in 2010.
Page 96 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 7. Ten-Year Resource Plan
For the mid-term, Idaho Power expects to add
approximately 150 MW of additional wind
generation in 2012 , followed by approximately
250 MW of pulverized coal-fired generation in
2013. Idaho Power will need to sign and commit
to agreements for construction in 2007 in order
to meet the projected 2013 on-line date.
In the longer term , the 2006 IRP includes
approximately 250 MW of IGCC in 2017
approximately 100 MW of additional CHP at
customers' facilities in 2020 , approximately
100 MW of additional geothermal generation in
2021-2022, and approximately 250 MW of
advanced nuclear generation at the INL in 2023.
Idaho Power anticipates acquiring the energy
from the advanced nuclear project through a
PPA.
Idaho Power prefers that its future coal-fired
facilities be composed of smaller individual
units or percentage ownership shares of larger
units. A smaller unit reduces the amount of
generation at risk due to equipment failure, and
a larger unit will provide economy of scale cost
savings not possible with smaller units.
Spreading the generation over more units in
different locations provides for greater
operational flexibility and reliability. In
addition, the construction timing of more and
smaller generating units may better coincide
with customer load growth in Idaho Power
servIce area.
Idaho Power will continue to explore the idea of
seasonal ownership, or exchange arrangements
that simulate seasonal ownership, with
interested parties.
Idaho Power faces uncertainty regarding the
future addition of PURP A generation. If the
quantity ofIdaho Power s PURPA generation
significantly changes from the In aMW
assumed in the 2006 IRP, the Near-Term and
Ten-Year action plans may need to be revised.
Demand~Side Resources
The 2006 IRP adds several new programs as
well as expanding existing programs. Overall
the preferred portfolio adds a set of demand-side
programs that are forecast to reduce average
loads by 90 aMW on an annual basis and reduce
the summertime peak-hour load by 187 MW.
Since summertime loads drive Idaho Power
capacity needs, the DSM programs are designed
to provide significant load reductions during
summertime peak-hour loads.
Renevvable Energy
In 2005, Idaho Power hydroelectric generation
supplied 36 percent of the MWh used by Idaho
Power customers under low water conditions.
By 2025 , under normal water conditions
hydroelectric generation will continue to supply
about 33 percent of the MWh used by Idaho
Power customers.
Wind, geothermal, and other non-hydro
renewable resources supplied a negligible
amount of energy used by Idaho Power
customers in 2005. Other than power purchased
from several small PURP A projects and green
tags acquired to support the Green Energy
Program, Idaho Power had no major non-hydro
renewable energy purchases in 2005. However
in future years Idaho Power anticipates
acquiring a greater amount of non-hydro
renewable energy given the number of PURP A
resources either under contract or in contract
negotiations. Although Idaho Power is required
to purchase the output from qualified PURP A
projects, at present it does not own the green
tags associated with PURP A generation.
Without the green tags, Idaho Power cannot
claim the environmental attributes associated
with the PURP A generation. Furthermore
without obtaining the green tags , Idaho Power
may not be able to count the PURP A generation
toward meeting a future RPS.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 97
7. Ten-Year Resource Plan Idaho Power Company
The preferred portfolio includes approximately
250 MW of wind generation and 150 MW of
geothermal generation by 2025. These
additions , based on nameplate ratings, result in
non-hydro renewable resources equaling
0 percent ofldaho Power s total generation
resources by 2025. If the nameplate capacity of
existing small hydro, wind, and geothermal
PURP A contracts are considered, renewable
resources would account for 9.8 percent of
Idaho Power s current generation portfolio. If
the same existing PURP A contracts are included
with the 400 MW identified in the preferred
portfolio, renewable resources would account
for 14.1 percent ofldaho Power s total
generation portfolio by 2025. This figure likely
underestimates the percentage of renewable
resources Idaho Power will have in 2025
because new renewable PURP A resources have
not been estimated or included in the
calculation.
Peaking Resources
The 2006IRP adds 1 250 MW of capacity
additions to the resource portfolio. Idaho Power
will add wind, geothermal, and thermal
resources in the near and mid-term. In addition
to the capacity contemplated in the 2006 IRP
Idaho Power has committed to adding the
170 MW Danskin combustion turbine, which is
scheduled to be on-line in 2008, and the 49 MW
Shoshone Falls upgrade, which is scheduled to
be on-line in 2010. With the addition of the
170 MW Danskin combustion turbine in 2008
Idaho Power will have 424 MW of natural
gas- fired peaking generation.
The primary purpose of the combustion turbines
is to provide the generation capacity necessary
to meet peak-hour loads. However, Idaho Power
has the option to operate the combustion
turbines to meet monthly energy requirements
within the emission limits of the facility permits.
Given current and forecasted natural gas prices
purchasing energy from the regional markets, up
to the limits of the transmission system, will
most likely be more economical than operating
the combustion turbines as an energy resource.
However, Idaho Power anticipates operating the
combustion turbines whenever customer load
exceeds the generation capacity of its other
generation units and the import capacity of the
transmission system.
Mlarket Purchases
Under low water conditions in 2005 , Idaho
Power purchased 22 percent of the MWh used
by its customers from the regional energy
markets. By 2025 , under normal water and
renewable conditions, purchased power is
expected to supply only 4 percent of the energy
used by Idaho Power s customers. Summertime
on-peak capacity purchases will still be
necessary and Idaho Power expects to continue
to use its full share of the transmission system to
access regional power markets.
\" '
Idaho Power s regional trading partners
sometimes offer term market purchases and
exchanges. Idaho Power will continue to
evaluate the regional market purchases and
exchanges on a case-by-case basis.
Transmission Resources
The 2006 IRP includes 285 MW of transmission
upgrades, significantly improving Idaho
Power s ability to import power from the
Mid-Columbia market in the Pacific Northwest.
Construction of a single conductor, 230 kV
single-circuit line from McNary to Brownlee
Brownlee to Ontario, and Ontario to the Gamet
and Locust substations will add approximately
225 MW of additional import capacity. The
other upgrade is to reconductor the 230 kV
single-circuit line from Lolo to Oxbow, which
will add approximately 60 MW of additional
import capacity.
The planned supply-side resource additions will
require significant upgrades to the backbone
transmission system. Idaho Power has already
begun the process to upgrade the Borah-West
Page 98 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 7. Ten-Year Resource Plan
transmission path as detailed in the 2004 IRP. A
considerable amount of renewable generation is
expected to be located in eastern Idaho which
will require an improved Borah-West
transmission path to reach the Treasure Valley
load center. The Borah~ West transmission path
upgrade is scheduled to be completed in May
2007, which will provide a 250 MW increase in
east to west transfer capability on the Borah-
West path. The Borah-West upgrades are
necessary to serve Idaho Power s native load-
either through resources identified in the 2006
IRP or through additional imports from the east
side. Additional upgrades to the Borah-West
and Midpoint-West transmission paths will be
necessary if more resources are added in eastern
Idaho or Wyoming as identified in the 2006
Integrated Resource Plan.
The coal-fired resource scheduled for 2013 will
also require significant transmission upgrades to
deliver the energy to the Treasure Valley.
Because the specific site of the coal-fired
resource has not been identified, the required
transmission upgrades are unknown and a
generic cost estimate was used in the analysis.
Demand~S~de
~Aanagement Programs
Idaho Power anticipates increasing the emphasis
on demand-side programs during the planning
period. By 2025 , Idaho Power anticipates that
the energy efficiency programs initiated in the
2004 IRP, combined with the programs
identified in the 2006 IRP, will reduce energy
demand by 108 aMW. Figure 7-1 shows Idaho
Power s estimated energy sources in 2007 and
2025, assuming normal water and weather
conditions.
Figure 1. Idaho Power Energy Sources in 2007 and 2025
2007
DSM lillJ Hydro Purchased Power
2025
~ Non-Hydro Renewable Thermal
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 99
7. Ten-Year Resource Plan Idaho Power Company
'- ., .( ,\. ... .
Page 100 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 8. Near-Term Action Plan
8. NEAR..TERM
ACT!ON PLAN
Introduction
Over the past 85 years, Idaho Power has
developed a blended portfolio of generation
resources. Idaho Power believes a portfolio of
diverse generation resources is the most
cost-effective and lowest-risk method to address
the increasing energy demands of its customers.
New customer growth is the primary driver
behind Idaho Power s need for the additional
resources identified in the 2006 IRP. Population
growth throughout southern Idaho and
specifically, in the Treasure Valley, requires that
Idaho Power acquire new resources to meet both
the peak-hour and average energy needs of its
customers.
Supply-side generation resources and increasing
transmission capacity to the Pacific Northwest
are likely alternatives for Idaho Power to meet
the increasing energy demands of its customers.
However, Idaho Power s customers have
expressed a desire for a balanced resource
portfolio that also contains resources which are
financially, environmentally, and socially
responsible. Therefore, renewable energy and
demand-side measures continue to be significant
contributors to the resource portfolio selected in
the 2006 Integrated Resource Plan.
Near-Term Action Plan
The Near-Term Action Plan presented in
Table 8-1 is a forecasted schedule of events
through 2008 that are associated with
implementing the preferred portfolio. By design
the action plan is expected to be flexible enough
to accommodate the uncertainly associated with
acquiring resources through an RFP process
and the uncertainty of developing resources in
cooperation with other utilities. Idaho Power
may deviate from the action plan, as necessary,
to achieve the goal of acquiring sufficient
resources to reliably serve the growing demand
for energy within Idaho Power s service area
while continuing to balance cost, risk, and
environmental concerns. For example, during
the IRP AC meetings, members voiced concerns
regarding the amount of geothermal generation
contained in Portfolio Fl. Although Portfolio F
had the lowest power supply costs , it was not
selected due, in part, to the IRPAC's concerns
that the quantity of geothermal resources in the
portfolio might be unrealistic given the lack of
proven geothermal resources in Idaho.
However, if geothermal resources can be
developed and acquired at the costs estimated in
Highlights
In the fall of 2006, Idaho Power plans to complete its wind integration study and the RFP
for 100 MW of wind generation.
Idaho Power plans to complete its 100 MW geothermal RFP in early 2007.
During 2007 and 2008 Idaho Power expects to commit to a new coal-fired , baseload
resource , and a transmission upgrade to the Pacific Northwest. These projects are
expected to be completed in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
Continuing with its commitment to sup port renewable energy through education and
demonstration projects, Idaho Power intends to commit up to an additional $100,000 to
support renewable energy education and demonstration projects. Areas currently under
consideration include solar energy projects and river flow energy conversion devices.
2006 I ntegrated Resource Plan Page 101
8. Near-Term Action Plan Idaho Power Company
Table 8-1. Portfolio F2 (Near-Term Action Plan through 2008)
Activity
September 2006
1. 2006 Integrated Resource Plan submitted to the
Idaho and Oregon Public Utility Commissions
Fall 2006
1. Idaho Power concludes 100 MW wind RFP issued
in response to the 2004 IRP
2. Notify short-listed bidders in 100 MW geothermal
RFP issued in response to the 2004 IRP
3. McNary-Boise transmission upgrade process
initiated
4. Develop finalized implementation plans for new
DSM programs with guidance from the EEAG
5. Continue coal-fired resource evaluation with Avista
and consider expansion opportunities at Idaho
Power s existing projects (Jim Bridger, Boardman
and Valmy)
6. Investigate opportunities to increase participation in
the highly successful Irrigation Peak Rewards DSM
program
7. Complete wind integration study
8. Evaluate the Rider level to fund DSM program
expansion
2007
1. Finalize DSM implementation plans and budgets with
guidance from the EEAG
2. 100 MW geothermal RFP concluded
3. Assess CHP development in progress via PURPA
process-consider issuing RFP for 50 MW CHP
depending on level of PURPA development
4. Identify leading candidate site(s) for coal-fired resource
addition and begin permitting activities
5. 225 MW McNary-Boise transmission upgrade-studies
in progress
6. 100 MW wind on-line
7. Evaluate/initiate DSM programs
8. Select coal fired resource, finalize contracts, begin
design , procurement, and pre-construction activities
2008
1. 225 MW McNary-Boise transmission upgrade-final
commitments
2. 250 MW Borah-West transmission upgrade complete
3. 170 MW Danskin expansion on-line
4. Evaluate/initiate DSM programs
5. Prepare and file 2008 IRP
Chapter 4, then Idaho Power will consider
adding more geothermal resources as a part of
this and future Integrated Resource Plans.
In the near-term, Idaho Power intends to
continue acquiring wind resources, geothermal
resources, demand-side measures, and CHP
resources, and proceed with commitments to
develop coal-fired and transmission resources
which require a long lead time. The supply-side
demand-side, and transmission resource
acquisitions and commitments mayor may not
meet the specific energy and capacity targets
identified in the 2006 IRP. The energy and
capacity values in future resource plans are
likely to be modified to reflect the outcome of
the RFP process, transmission studies, PURP A
resource development, and operational and load
growth changes that Idaho Power experiences.
During IRP AC meetings, members voiced
concerns on a number of issues including the
CO2 emissions associated with conventional
coal-fired resources, using IGCC in lieu of
conventional pulverized coal technology,
demonstrating a stronger commitment to energy
efficiency and demand-side resources, and the
need to take steps now to build baseload
resources and to increase transmission import
capacity.
\ ;
Generation Resources
" ,
Thermal Generation-Base/Dad
The preferred portfolio identifies a 250 MW
Wyoming coal-fired resource; however, specific
details of the resource are yet to be determined.
At present, a mine-mouth project in Wyoming
or Montana appears to be the most likely
alternative. Idaho Power anticipates a plant in
either Montana or Wyoming would provide
delivered power at approximately the same cost.
Idaho Power intends to continue its evaluation
of regional coal-fired resource alternatives with
A vista and other utilities. Idaho Power is also
exploring development opportunities at Idaho
Power s jointly-owned coal-fired facilities at
Jim Bridger, Boardman, and Valmy.
Page 102 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 8. Near-Term Action Plan
In addition to investigating coal-fired resources
industrial customers have approached Idaho
Power regarding CHP projects. Idaho Power
intends to continue ongoing negotiations to
develop these projects within its service area. If
approximately 50 MW of CHP projects are not
in development or under contract as a result of
PURP A development by the end of 2007, Idaho
Power will consider issuing a CHP RFP.
Idaho Power will need additional base load
generation to meet the future energy needs of its
customers. Idaho Power has not added a
baseload resource to its portfolio since the
construction of the Valmy coal-fired plant in the
mid-1980s. The 2004 IRP identified that the
time has come to acquire additional baseload
generation and the 2006 IRP refines the timing
and size of the resource need. Between now and
2008, Idaho Power plans to proceed with the
evaluation of coal-fired resource alternatives
select the preferred resource, and move ahead
with commitments to develop additional
coal-fired generation.
Thermal Generation-Peaking
Population growth in southern Idaho is driving
Idaho Power s peak-hour load growth due
primarily to air conditioning units being
installed in most new construction. Idaho
Power s peak-hour load has been growing and is
projected to continue growing at approximately
80 MW per year. In the near-term, Idaho Power
must continue to rely on natural gas-fired
resources, such as the Bennett Mountain and
Danskin Power plants, to meet the peak energy
demands of its growing customer base. Idaho
Power expects the 170 MW Danskin addition
will be commissioned and on-line for the 2008
summer season and will be necessary to meet
peak-hour loads until a new baseload resource
can be constructed. As mentioned in the
previous section, Idaho Power also continues to
explore CHP projects with its industrial
customers and anticipates the addition of a CHP
project will contribute to summer peak-hour
generation.
Renevvable Energy
In the 2004 IRP, Idaho Power committed to
fund education and demonstration energy
projects with up to $100 000 of funding. One of
the projects supported with this commitment
was the Foothills Environmental Learning
Center in north Boise. Idaho Power s support
for this project included installation of a 4.6 kW
fuel cell and a 2.0 kW solar panel. Another
project undertaken in the past two years was the
repair and upgrade of the 15 kW solar energy
project on the roof of Idaho Power s corporate
headquarters in downtown Boise.
Continuing with its commitment to support
renewable energy through education and
demonstration projects , Idaho Power intends to
commit up to an additional $100 000 to support
renewable energy education and demonstration
projects. Areas currently under consideration
include solar energy projects and river flow
energy conversion devices. At present, Idaho
Power has not selected a specific project(s) to
pursue with this funding.
Idaho Power s commitment to renewable
resources is evident in its intent to add a
significant quantity of renewable energy to its
generation portfolio. Idaho Power has targeted
to add 400 MW of renewable wind and
geothermal resources during the 20-year
planning period contained in the 2006 IRP. If
the RFP process indicates additional supply is
available at favorable prices, Idaho Power may
further increase the amount of renewable
resources in its generation portfolio. Renewable
resources continue to show favorably in the
resource portfolio analysis; however, the IRP AC
expressed concerns about the quantity of
renewable resources available in southern Idaho.
The contribution of renewable resources will
continue to be assessed and discussed as part of
the 2008 and 20 I 0 Integrated Resource Plans.
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 103
8. Near-Term Action Plan Idaho Power Company
i;1jjnd GeneraVon
Idaho Power issued an RFP for approximately
200 MW of wind generation in early 2005.
However, beginning in late 2004, PURP A
developers requested contracts to supply a
significant amount of wind generation and Idaho
Power was uncertain as to the effects it would
have on its system. On June 17 2005 , Idaho
Power filed a petition with the IPUC requesting
that the IPUC temporarily suspend its obligation
to purchase wind generation from qualified
facilities. On June 30, 2005, Idaho Power
temporarily suspended activity on the wind RFP
while waiting for the IPUC to issue a ruling on
its petition. On August 4, 2005 , the IPUC issued
an order reducing the rate cap for published
avoided costs from 10 aMW to 100 kW. On
September 28 2005 , the wind RFP was resumed
and, on July 6, 2006, Idaho Power announced
the selection of a successful bidder. The
proposed project is expected to be on-line in late
2007 and will add an additional 66 MW of wind
energy to Idaho Power s power supply portfolio.
In addition to the 2005 wind RFP, Idaho Power
has signed agreements for over 200 MW of
PURP A wind generation.
A number of viable wind generation sites and
projects are under development in southern
Idaho. In addition to the nearly 300 MW of
wind generation expected to be on-line by 2010
the preferred portfolio includes an additional
150 MW of wind generation in 2012.
Depending on the results of the wind integration
study, the level ofPURPA development, and the
available supply of low-cost wind, Idaho Power
will consider either increasing or decreasing the
amount of wind generation in its resource
portfolio in the 2008 and 2010 Integrated
Resource Plans.
Geothermal Generation
Idaho Power issued an RFP for 100 MW of
geothermal generation in June 2006. Similar to
wind resources, Idaho Power recognizes
geothermal generation has moved beyond the
research and development stage and plans to
incorporate geothermal resources into its
generation portfolio. Geothermal developers
have indicated there are several viable
geothermal generation sites in southern Idaho.
In anticipation of responses to the current RFP
for 100 MW of geothermal generation, the
preferred portfolio includes 50 MWof
geothermal generation targeted to be on-line in
2009. However, if sufficient quantities of
geothermal generation are available from
qualified developers at competitive prices, Idaho
Power will consider acquiring additional
geothermal resources in the near-term.
Depending on the success of the geothermal
generation projects, geothermal generation may
playa greater role in future resource portfolios.
Transmission Resources
In addition to the two specific transmission
projects identified in the 2006 IRP , the 225 MW
McNary to Boise line and the 60 MW Lolo to
Brownlee upgrade , additional transmission
system upgrades internal to Idaho Power
system will be necessary to integrate the new
resources identified in the 2006 IRP. Idaho
Power expects the Borah-West transmission
path upgrades identified in the 2004 IRP to be
completed in May 2007. The planned Borah-
West upgrades which are necessary to integrate
generation resources located on the eastern side
of Idaho Power s service area, will also increase
the ability to import power from markets east of
Idaho. Idaho Power will continue to evaluate the
transmission requirements of the resources
proposed in the 2006 IRP and consider the
impact in future Integrated Resource Plans.
,- , .'
Demand-Side Management
Idaho Power is working with the EEAG
(comprised of customer, special interest, and
PUC representatives from Idaho and Oregon) to
design a package of DSM programs that will
reduce average loads by 90 aMW and
summertime peak-hour loads by 187 MW.
Page 104 2006 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power Company 8. Near-Term Action Plan
Idaho Power developed its DSM energy savings
estimates for the proposed residential and
commercial programs based on a detailed study
of potential savings which was conducted by
Quantum Consulting Company. The proposed
industrial program savings estimates were
developed by Idaho Power by performing an
engineering and marketing analysis.
Idaho Power anticipates the new energy
efficiency programs coming on-line in 2007 and
continuing throughout the planning period. As a
part of the DSM management process, program
performance is continuously monitored and
evaluated for improvements. The analysis and
results of all demand-side programs are reported
annually in the DSM Annual Report and more
frequently to the EEAG.
Risk Mitigation
Idaho Power s near-term action plan includes
additional renewable resources, CHP, DSM
programs, a commitment to develop a coal-fired
resource, and expand transmission capacity to
the Pacific Northwest. The action plan also
specifically incorporates the flexibility to
acquire more wind and geothermal generation if
it can be acquired at competitive prices.
Conversely, if the cost of wind and geothermal
resources are not competitive, lesser amounts
may be acquired. The amount of wind
generation Idaho Power can integrate into its
system will be limited by operational constraints
and economics. As noted earlier, Idaho Power is
conducting a wind integration study to
determine the cost of integrating wind
generation at several different penetration
levels. This study is expected to be completed in
the fall of 2006.
A diverse portfolio of planned resources helps
to reduce some of the larger risks Idaho Power
faces in the development of its future resources.
The possibility of future CO2 regulations, the
technological risks of developing IGCC
generation, the realization risk associated with
developing renewable wind and geothermal
resources, and the realization risk associated
with customer-based demand-side programs
could each have an impact on Idaho Power
plan to acquire future resources.
Because Idaho Power files an updated IRP
every two years, there is a certain amount of
flexibility inherent in the IRP process.
Resources identified in the long-term plan may
change in future IRPs depending on the
outcome of the previously mentioned risk
factors. And while the addition of certain
resources such as wind and geothermal do not
require substantial lead times, transmission and
coal- fired resources require substantial lead
times and an early commitment and will be
subject to a greater amount of risk. The diverse
nature of the near-term action plan in Idaho
Power s 2006 IRP will mitigate the overall risk
associated with acquiring additional resources.
Although renewable resources and demand-side
programs face no fuel price risk, there are other
risks associated with renewable resources.
Geothermal resources are unproven in Idaho
and the economic viability of both wind and
geothermal generation is driven by the federal
PTCs at the present time. Idaho Power has
received considerable interest from geothermal
resource developers, but until the responses to
the geothermal RFP are received and evaluated
it is difficult to assess the available supply and
cost effectiveness of geothermal resources.
Likewise with demand-side programs, until
responses to the RFPs have been received, the
programs implemented, and the results
measured, it is difficult to estimate the actual
performance of the programs.
In 2006 , Idaho Power expects to finalize
negotiations for adding additional wind
generation and evaluate the responses to the
geothermal RFP. The geothermal RFP is
expected to be awarded in early 2007 and result
in at least 50 MW of geothermal generation
coming on-line in 2009. Idaho Power will also
continue to investigate coal-fired resource
development with potential partners during the
2006 Integrated Resource Plan Page 105
8. Near-Term Action Plan Idaho Power Company
remainder of 2006 and 2007. It is likely Idaho
Power will enter into a firm commitment in
2007 or 2008 to participate in a coal-fired
resource expected to be on-line in 2013. Idaho
Power will complete engineering studies and
enter into commitments to expand the
transmission import capacity from the Pacific
Northwest during the next few years. Idaho
Power will also work with the EEAG to
implement the DSM programs that are expected
to reduce average loads by 90 aMW and
peak-hour loads by 187 MW.
The DSM energy savings targets developed in
the IRP are independent from energy savings
that might be associated with future state and
local building code modifications, market
transformation energy savings such as those
supported by Idaho Power through the Alliance
and other activities outside ofldaho Power
DSM programs. Because all of these
components comprise the total conservation
savings in Idaho Power s service area, the
potential exists for differences in how reported
savings are calculated. Idaho Power and the
EEAG are committed to developing successful
DSM programs that represent verifiable and
meaningful savings for Idaho Power
customers.
Idaho Power prepares an Integrated Resource
Plan biennially. At the time ofthe next plan in
2008 , Idaho Power will have additional
information regarding the cost and availability
of renewable resources, demand-side programs
fuel prices, economic conditions, and load
growth. In addition, Idaho Power hopes to have
better information regarding potential carbon
regulations, the feasibility of IGCC, and the
development of a federal RPS.
One of the key strengths of Idaho Power
planning process is that the IRP is updated every
two years. Frequent planning allows Idaho
Power, the Idaho and Oregon PUCs, and
concerned customers (including the IRP AC) to
revisit the resource plan and make periodic
adjustments and corrections to reflect changes in
technology, economic conditions, and
regulatory requirements. During the two years
between resource plan filings, the public and
regulatory oversight of the activities identified
in the near-term action plan allows for
discussion and adjustment of the IRP as
warranted.
. .
Page 106 2006 Integrated Resource Plan