Unexpected Heat Wave Cited in Blackout

Los Angeles Times ^ | March 10, 2004 | Elizabeth Douglass

[Jubal Harshaw]

Unexpected Heat Wave Cited in Blackout

By Elizabeth Douglass, Times Staff Writer

Record high temperatures throughout Southern California triggered the state's first major power blackout since the energy crisis, leaving 70,000 customers in the dark for 21 minutes. The problems weren't the result of power plant meltdowns or market manipulation but something more mundane: Too many people used their air conditioners at the same time.

The state's grid operator declared an emergency at 6:21 p.m. Monday when hotter-than-expected weather pushed electricity demand above anticipated levels and threatened to overload a key transmission line.

Full story ...

[Robert357]

I checked the wecc.biz daily reports published on the 11th, 10th and 9th.

http://www.wecc.biz/daily_reports/2004/March/20040309.pdf

It states, The CISO issued a Transmission Emergency Notice for Path 26 at 18:22 based on north to south flows exceeding the path capability. The notice was terminated at 19:00."

It further stated, "From 0400-2200 the Path 26 is limited to 2,500 MW north to south and 3,000 MW south to north due to outage of the Los Banos-Midway #2 500-kV line."

Just for those who don't know Midway, is the electrical heart fom which life-blood main veins radiate from the Pacific Northwest Hydrosystem to California.

Right now there is a big debate occuring as to whether water should be spilled at dams (some claim it will help salmon, but little real science) or be used to generate electricity for part of this summer. Many in the PNW are becoming concerned that the snow pack is looking a little below normal for this time of year.

All of this should be interesting as the summer moves on. I still haven't heard that anyone (Arnord!) has cleaned house at the CAL-ISO. Until that happens, I wouldn't trust California to have reliable power.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for dropping by!

Arnoold needs to take more action, seems he is moving a bit slow!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

bttt!

[NormsRevenge]

Awww Geeez.. Not this again!!! ;-)

[spunkets]

"The problems weren't the result of power plant meltdowns or market manipulation but something more mundane: Too many people used their air conditioners at the same time.
The state's grid operator declared an emergency at 6:21 p.m. Monday when hotter-than-expected weather pushed electricity demand above anticipated levels and threatened to overload a key transmission line.

Something more mundane? Blame it on the customers? It's the green nitwits that limited and screwed with the supply that are causing the problem. Hotter than expaected my butt. It's CA and it gets hot there. Whether it's now, or in a month the same is going to happen.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

You talking about the blackouts or Arnoold?

[NormsRevenge]

I'm trying to be on my best behavior.. Now stop it. ;-P lol

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Good, be Nice!

[NormsRevenge]

It's hard but ... :-|

[Grampa Dave]

You forgot my options:

Disconnect the power from all enviromentals's homes, offices and business sites (if they own a business.

Then, disconnect the power of every elected office holder in their homes and offices in California who has voted against building new power stations .

No power for illegal aliens and welfare bums.

Let San Francisco, Berkely and Marin county provide their own power and drinking water.

Restrict all universities to solar power for their electricity needs.

That should "conserve" enough power for the rest of us until we get some new power plants built and on line.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Sounds good to me.

Give the Rats a reality check!

[calcowgirl]

I resemble that! I'm on my best behavior when I DON'T post! lol.

[heleny]

Thanks for the ping!

I didn't experience any blackouts last Monday or any day recently, but it was warm everywhere.

I hope we still get some cool weather and rain before the weather gets warmer in the next six months!