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To: V_TWIN

It is already built. Power lines are already connected to it.

Its operating costs are what matters.

Two dozen people at top-dollar rates?

There’s also the fact that California is sometimes electricity short and has to resort to brownouts.

The bigger problem with electricity supply in California is that the electric utilities have not been able to maintain lines safely and now have to pay many billions to rebuild communities. The electric utility system in California might even collapse economically.


5 posted on 02/04/2025 6:32:10 AM PST by Brian Griffin
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To: Brian Griffin; SunkenCiv; BenLurkin; PJ-Comix; Red Badger
The very complex molten salt (molten metal heat exchange-storage) pressurized steam power plant that actually drives the generator requires much tender loving care on an hourly and daily basis.

Yes, a typical modern gas turbine plant needs 24 x 7 operating staff at 4-6 people per shift x 4 rotating shifts. A few more on dayshift for EHS, paperwork, admin, and parts and maintenance planning/monitoring.

This things regular maintenance even to the level of every reflector controller and regulator and mirror.

From Wikepedio: “The plant has a gross capacity of 392 megawatts (MW).[8] It uses 173,500 heliostats, each with two mirrors focusing solar energy on boilers located on three 459-foot-tall (140 m)[9] solar power towers.”

9 posted on 02/04/2025 7:04:24 AM PST by Robert A Cook PE (Method, motive, and opportunity: No morals, shear madness and hatred by those who cheat.)
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To: Brian Griffin

I’d suspect that the cost of existing contracts makes it uncompetitive, that PGE wants a buyout and to turn to more efficient and cheaper sources.


10 posted on 02/04/2025 7:05:29 AM PST by hinckley buzzard ( Resist the narrative.)
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To: Brian Griffin
"It is already built. Power lines are already connected to it.

Its operating costs are what matters.


Where ever did that argument about solar energy being free come from?
11 posted on 02/04/2025 9:54:20 PM PST by clearcarbon (Fraudulent elections have consequences.)
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