Posted on 03/29/2004 2:56:29 PM PST by Robert357
The California ISO hereby issues a STAGE 1 ELECTRICAL EMERGENCY Notice, effective 03/29/2004 13:50 through 03/29/2004 19:59.
Reason(s):
Due to higher than expected loads and loss of resources South of Path 15.
Operating Reserves are currently, or forecast to be, less than amounts required by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council. If Operating Reserves deplete further, the ISO will declare a Stage 2 Electrical Emergency and may begin curtailing Interruptible Loads*.
Monitor system conditions on the California ISO Website at www.caiso.com and check with local electric utilities for additional information. This message was sent by Market Operations at the California ISO.
Here we go again. Today's daily report says "...From 0000-2400 the Path 15 is limited to 3,450 MW south to north and 1,275 MW north to south due to area resource limitations."
Oh, well, I guess they haven't gotten their house in order yet.
I think that the degree of fun will depend upon where you live and whether your power stays on, but yes, things could get interesting.
I hope that Arnold, acts decisively and tells the Cal ISO to get their act together and then tells the various regulatory agencies to do something about upgrading path 15.
You know all that, of course, but the granola types hold different views.
I am glad I live in the state of Georgia.
If it isn't George's fault, it must be those evil Texas Power Companies that have George in their pocket.....(/sarcasm)
Seriously, what is surprising to me is that there was a known problem with reduced path 15 capacity for all day today, but it sounds like folks at the ISO once again didn't really have their act together.
About a year or two ago, the Cal ISO advance daily forecast of loads was way off. I would have assumed that by then they would have improved the quality of their advance forecast of power needs. Surprises can happen and this is the time of the year when maintenance on lots of power plants are done so they will be available in the Summer, but still, the Cal ISO does need to do better.
It's apparently not safe to make such assumptions.
Now that my oldest son is gainfully employed in the Greater LA area in the financial markets area, I have a more vested interest in the S Cal economy not going in the tank.
I would hope that the newly elected Governator and newly frightened (by a Republican Governor) Democratic bureaucrats would think that having electricity is a pretty important thing, especially since it was one of the major Grey Davis problems that got him kicked out of office. But hey, maybe the granola types need to get more Democrats kicked out of office prior to reaching elightenment. (Maybe that is why they are lighting candles to figure this out..../sarcasm)
Priority One: build several new LARGE nuclear plants, soonest.
Actually, if you have a spare $150,000 to $250,000 you can by a nice 2 MW unit at auction right now. That should be enough for an entire neighborhood or a good sized business. No reserve, so you could always try a $100 bid.
http://www.rbauction.com/spec_ad/olympia_2004125_gensets.jsp
It was 93 today here in the L.A. valley, which is hot, but the rest of the area was in the 80's. We shouldn't be having a problem. Now on days in the mid 90's downtown, that is when you have the problems typically.
Leaving California in 8 days now, and damned happy about it.
Exactly.
This is one weird Spring.
Path 15 CISO
Midway-Los Banos
Midway-Los Banos 500 kV lines 1&2
Gates-Gregg 230 kV line
Gates-Panoche 230 kV lines 1&2
Gates-McCall 230 kV line
Midway is a very important source of Pacific Northwest Hydro for California. A few days ago, the Cal ISO admitted to an operator error associated with Path 26 resulting in load shedding in Southern California. It will be interesting to see what comes out from the Cal ISO in the next few days to see if this is another operator problem, but this time with path 15
I think that two problems (different paths)in a couple of weeks, is not a good sign for Southern California.
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