The California ISO, peak demand 50,000 MW, now has well over 300,000 MWH in its interconnection queue. Mostly solar and batteries. It isn’t enough to get from 30% to 50% renewables. You still have to charge all those batteries and you have to have enough storage for multiple off-days with little wind and solar.
Washington is too far north and too rainy and snowy for solar to be at all helpful in the winter. They have elected a governor who is nuts, and have outrageous taxes on energy. To their credit they are trying to vote down some of the worst of it.
Upon visiting one of the hydroelectric dams this summer with my family, we took a tour of the Ice Harbor facility, located in close proximity to the Tri-Cities.
We noticed that a lot of water was being spilled over the causeway and during the question/answer period, I asked why this was happening (mid-August time period).
The answer surprised me, but lines up with this article: The wind and solar generational sources have “first in” privilege. This means that the dam was forced to shutter 4 of its 6 hydroelectric power generators most of the day.
I hope this policy doesn’t portend for even worse outcomes!!
How soon we forget about the long-term lunacy infecting this state:
What Was the Purpose of the Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS)?
The Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS) was created to bolster the Pacific Northwest's source of electrical power through the building of five nuclear power plants.
Why Was the Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS) Called WHOOPS?
WPPSS was derisively called WHOOPS because it was one of the biggest municipal bond defaults in U.S. history.
What Caused WPPSS to Default on $2.25 Billion in Municipal Bonds?
WPPSS defaulted on its debt after years of mismanagement, cost overruns on its nuclear power plant programs and shoddy workmanship that required expensive redesigns and rebuilds.
The California ISO, peak demand 50,000 MW, now has well over 300,000 MWH in its interconnection queue. Mostly solar and batteries. It isn’t enough to get from 30% to 50% renewables. You still have to charge all those batteries and you have to have enough storage for multiple off-days with little wind and solar.
Washington is too far north and too rainy and snowy for solar to be at all helpful in the winter. They have elected a governor who is nuts, and have outrageous taxes on energy. To their credit they are trying to vote down some of the worst of it.
Interesting
Upon visiting one of the hydroelectric dams this summer with my family, we took a tour of the Ice Harbor facility, located in close proximity to the Tri-Cities.
We noticed that a lot of water was being spilled over the causeway and during the question/answer period, I asked why this was happening (mid-August time period).
The answer surprised me, but lines up with this article: The wind and solar generational sources have “first in” privilege. This means that the dam was forced to shutter 4 of its 6 hydroelectric power generators most of the day.
I hope this policy doesn’t portend for even worse outcomes!!
Not to worry! The excessive production will meet the surge of demand by EV’s and data centers!
How many batteries will be needed?
How soon we forget about the long-term lunacy infecting this state:
What Was the Purpose of the Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS)?
The Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS) was created to bolster the Pacific Northwest's source of electrical power through the building of five nuclear power plants.
Why Was the Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS) Called WHOOPS?
WPPSS was derisively called WHOOPS because it was one of the biggest municipal bond defaults in U.S. history.
What Caused WPPSS to Default on $2.25 Billion in Municipal Bonds?
WPPSS defaulted on its debt after years of mismanagement, cost overruns on its nuclear power plant programs and shoddy workmanship that required expensive redesigns and rebuilds.