CALIFORNIA SETS WIND RECORD

California wind energy sets record
Tom Gray, April 27, 2011 (Regulacion Eolica con Vehiculos Electricos)

"California wind farm plants set a new record for instantaneous generation...[at the end of April], churning out 2,432 megawatts (MW) to easily best the old record of 1,915 MW...[It] was announced by the California Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO), the company that manages California's utility system...[which said] the record "symbolizes the beginning of an important shift in the state's power mix" as California moves steadily toward a new goal of obtaining 33% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020...

"Peak demand on the ISO grid [in the coming summer] is expected to reach 47,814 MW, which is 687 MW more than the actual peak of 47,127 MW set in 2010. The 1.5% increase represents a modest economic recovery, leading both the ISO and the CEC to encourage energy conservation on hot days...An estimated 2,357 MW of demand response and interruptible load programs will be available to the ISO to deploy this summer. These “negawatts” can offset the need for new generation and counterbalance the variable output of renewable resources."

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"The probability of rotating power outages is less than 1%, assuming moderate levels of imported power. California gets a quarter of its daily electricity needs met from imports. Under normal peak demand conditions, operating reserve margins are projected to be greater than the [required] 15% resource adequacy requirements...

"By September 2011, the Energy Commission states that 846 MW of the state's electric generation capacity will be retired...[mostly facilities] using seawater for power plant cooling. New generation capacity added by the end of September 2011 is expected to be about 1,158 MW, with 893 MW of the new generation provided by renewable energy resources."

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"Record-high level of wind turbines comes as the California snowpack reaches 160% of historical average. The heavy snow inventory, combined with warm temperatures, could lead to fast stream flows that fuel a glut in hydroelectricity...[possibly requiring] the ISO to send quick signals for power plants to “back down”—sometimes even paying generators last minute to reduce output. Flexible on/off ramping capability is critical in making sure megawatts do not overload the grid.

"New geospatial technology and advanced visualization capabilities in the control center will help operators stay one step ahead of nature. With the first dedicated renewables-only dispatch desk in North America, the ISO is better prepared to anticipate swings in wind and solar production...The control center itself is a mini-power plant, with rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels...[and] carport PV...The soon-to-be LEED-rated campus exemplifies California’s commitment to the environment..."