Cal-ISO calls summer electricity supply adequate

[Kadie]

Cal-ISO calls summer electricity supply adequate

The Folsom-based California Independent System Operator in its 2003 Summer Assessment is forecasting an operating reserve of at least 8 percent through this summer.

"We should be able to meet the demand for energy with no trouble--barring unforeseen circumstances," said ISO vice president of grid operations Jim Detmers. "The unexpected loss of key power plants, or brush fires that damage or threaten transmission lines can trigger electrical system emergencies when they coincide with regional heat waves that drive up the demand for energy. That's why ongoing conservation is so important. It gives us a greater margin if equipment fails or we have to limit the amount of electricity flowing on a transmission line due to fires," he said.

more...

more... http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2003/04/21/daily36.html

[LeftCoast]

1. For those who like data:

http://www.caiso.com/SystemStatus.html

[ctex]

2. "Barely adequate" would be more accurate

An 8% reserve margin would not have cut it in the old days (pre-1995 or pre-deregulation). 15% used to be the minimum acceptable reserve margin. In fact some states required at least a 15% margin and their utility commissions would order the contstruction of new plants if the power companies couldn't demonstrate sufficient reserves.

However, improvements in maintenance and power system analysis now suggests that 10-12% margin will work for "large, diverse power pools" -- i.e., power pools with a lot of generating units, using a variety of fuel/energy sources, with a robust transmission grid, etc.

California is plagued by transmission system weaknesses and is too dependent on hydro-electric power to qualify for the lower standard in my opinion.

[jcldragon]

3. I see that

If I had the money, I'd put solar cells on the roof of my house. As it is, I have a computer back-up battery on my fish tank, to make sure they don't run out of air...