ABSTRACT
As renewable generation technologies became commercially available and utility-scale projects emerged, an urban myth arose. This myth postulated that development of renewable energy projects would be easier than other types of generation. The main foundation of this myth was that there would be a “perfect storm” of support from various political advocates or elected officials, governmental regulators, environmental groups and the public. In addition, the site selection process would be easier given that there would no longer be the need to coordinate diverse types of supporting infrastructure such as locating close to fuel pipelines or railroads, water supply, or disposal systems. Clearly, there are large areas bathed in sun or blown with wind, where “all” you needed to find was transmission. As this myth grew, it even expanded to include the vision that transmission projects would be built to facilitate renewable generation assets without substantial effort by the generation owner.
