Cal Stage 1 Power Emergency (Oops Cal ISO did it again!)

California ISO ^ | 3/29/04 | Drudge Report, & Cal ISO

[Robert357]

Arnold needs to clean house. On the otherhand at least they aren't hidding this type of thing as they did under Davis.

[Robert357]

I saw this on Drudge and didn't see it on FR so I thought I would post it.

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.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

It's going to be a fun summer.

[.38sw]

It's not even that hot today. Must be the recovering economy increasing the demand for power. Oh, wait. That can't be. John Kerry keeps telling us how utterly horrific the economy is. I'm sure that this power emergency is George Bush's fault

[Robert357]

It's going to be a fun summer.

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.

[Nebr FAL owner]

If I lived in Californicate & had absolutely no other option I would be investing in a 5kw generator set & a couple of 100 lbs propane cylinders while the demand is low. When summer arrives in that state its gonna be a long hot summer,also set the generator on a concrete slabin such a fashion that anybody wanting to steal it will have to destroy it to get it loose & have it insured under home owners policy.

[Dog Gone]

California voters need to clean house. Until there is a legislature which is business-friendly and actually encourages power companies to expand, residents there should expect this to continue and get worse.

You know all that, of course, but the granola types hold different views.

[Paul C. Jesup]

(sarcasm) Oh boy, here we go again.(sarcasm end)

I am glad I live in the state of Georgia.

[Robert357]

I'm sure that this power emergency is George Bush's fault.

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.

[.38sw]

I would have assumed that by then they would have improved the quality of their advance forecast of power needs.

It's apparently not safe to make such assumptions.

[Nebr FAL owner]

If I lived in Californicate {I thank God every day that I don't} I would look to invest in a back up generator/2 100lbs propane tanks for the house, if in an apartment I would invest in a couple of extra auto batteries & a power invertor solar battery charger from the auto parts store and Coleman propane lanterns for light cause the state of Californicate is gonna have a long unpleasent summer.

[EggsAckley]

I can't remember. Where is path 15? I think where I live is path 9.

[Robert357]

...but the granola types hold different views

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)

[boris]

"Arnold needs to clean house."

Priority One: build several new LARGE nuclear plants, soonest.

[Robert357]

I would look to invest in a back up generator/2 100lbs propane tanks for the house...

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

[dogbyte12]

It's not even that hot today.

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.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

It's going to be around 80 in the San Joaquin Valley today. I heard it was 97 in Lakeview yesterday.

[.38sw]

Ok, ya got me. It's about 75 here in the east bay. But still, with temps in the 80's and 90's, we're having a problem? Won't July be loads of fun?

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Won't July be loads of fun?

Exactly.

This is one weird Spring.

[Robert357]

Since you asked about path 15;

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.