KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – An international energy markets publication has named the Tennessee Valley Authority among the nation’s most innovative utilities in renewable energy and one of the top utilities of the year in integrating renewable power into its grid.
Fierce Energy, a daily energy markets electronic newsletter distributed to more than 10,000 energy industry executives around the world, evaluated utilities on their innovation and commitment to renewable power. The newsletter rated TVA as “one of the ‘fiercest’ utilities in the market, driven by their unique approach to renewable energy.”
“TVA has worked hard to achieve renewable energy contracts that help companies provide renewable power to its customers,” said Travis Mitchell, Associate Editor of Fierce Energy. “It’s taking deliberate steps to increase renewable power across its large service territory.”
The Fierce Energy rating cites TVA’s broad energy portfolio and its innovative contract negotiations and structuring to address intermittency, congestion and other challenges to integrating renewable energy to the power grid.
“This recognition by Fierce Energy is a good indication of TVA’s success, through innovative programs and 
competitive wind contracts, in providing renewable energy options for power companies and consumers in the Tennessee Valley,” said Patty West, director of TVA Renewable Energy Programs. “Innovation is a key to our plan for low cost, reliable, clean power for the region’s future.”
As of July 1, TVA power system had 4,616 megawatts of hydroelectric, 977 megawatts from wind farms, 61.4 megawatts of solar power and 26.2 megawatts of biomass, totaling 5,680 megawatts of renewable generation in operation.
TVA has another 593 megawatts approved, contracted or committed for activation in the near future from hydro, solar, biomass and wind.
Fierce Energy’s “Most Innovative Utilities in Renewable Integration” ranking recognizes utilities for innovation and creativity in the face of intense competition. The complete list of winning companies is on the company’s Web site at http://www.fierceenergy.com/
Fierce Energy is part of the Fierce Markets publishing group owned by Questex Media Group, which provides information and marketing services in telecommunications, life sciences, healthcare, information technology, energy, government and finance to more than 1.3 million executives in over 100 countries.
The Tennessee Valley Authority, a corporation owned by the U.S. government, provides electricity for 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states at prices below the national average. TVA, which receives no taxpayer money and makes no profits, also provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists utilities and state and local governments with economic development.
