The Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG), which was originally formed to provide analysis of wind technology for utility applications and to serve as a source of information on the status of wind technology and deployment, says that it is expanding its focus to include solar generation.
In conjunction with this decision, UWIG's board of directors has voted to change the name of the organization to the Utility Variable Generation Integration Group (UVIG).
‘Wind and solar are both generation sources with variable output, and many of our utility members are seeing significant amounts of both connecting to their systems,’ says Henry Durrwachter, president of UWIG's board. "It makes sense for UWIG to undertake this expansion and for a name change that will reflect it. We feel that the term "variable generation' addresses the themes of variability and uncertainty common to wind and solar energy, as well as emerging renewable technologies such as wave and hydrokinetic power."
According to UWIG Executive Director Charlie Smith, the target for the complete changeover to the new name and organizational identity is January 2013.
