Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Taming Unruly Wind Power By Matt Wald

Taming Unruly Wind Power   By Matt Wald
Carlgh comment:
This Spring had a late and large run-off, and the system needed to draw down reservoirs to provide capacity in the event of a warm wet storm.  So system operators could not hold back water and operators are under federal orders not to spill water (harms the salmon), so through the turbines the water must go.  So, a lot of electricity is generated due to federal orders for dam operators.  Domestic electricity demand is light.  The nuke, Columbia Generating Station, went down on schedule for a turbine swap and to refuel. 
The Spring is also the windy time of the year, but this year's wind was strong resulting in extra generation. 
In this situation, BPA told the wind guys to turn it off.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/05/business/energy-environment/as-wind-energy-use-grows-utilities-seek-to-stabilize-power-grid.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=taming%20wind%20wald&st=cse

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