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RE: transmission grids
Maury Siskel wrote:
-----Original Message-----
From: maury [mailto:maury@webtexas.com]
Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2003 2:54 PM
To: Scott Wilson
Cc: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu
Subject: Re: OUTAGE TRACED TO DIM BULB
Yes, it is interesting to note that the failure apparently was in the
transmission line system which is the principal remaining totally
regulated aspect of electricity production and distribution in the US.
Cheers,
Maury Siskel maury@webtexas.com
_______
PP=PPP
=====================
Sadly enough, this is not the case and is even less the case with the Midwest Independent System Operator (ISO) where the blackout apparently began. The Midwest ISO does not have the authority or ability to quickly adjust the amount of generation being pumped into the grid. They have to ask the 20 or 30 utilities to adjust their output, a process that works on a tens of minutes time scale, rather than the 20-30 seconds needed to assure grid stability.
More generally, electricity generation deregulation changed generating utilities from monopolies with an assured return on their investment to competitors. With assured return, it was not difficult to persuade/require them to cooperate in regional grids and to maintain their generating equipment and their share of the transmission network. As competitors, they have no particular incentive to do either. Some of the changes in recent energy bills -- none of which have taken effect -- would ameliorate this situation but not solve it.
There has been a lot of silly commentary downstream of the blackout; the silliest was probably Bill Richardson's about a "third world electricity grid". A good argument, if any were needed, for not turning the Energy Department over to failed political hacks.
As I noted in another context a couple of years ago:
Think of the difference between USGS and EPA. USGS has almost always been run by working geologists; EPA has almost always been run by politicians.
Best regards.
Jim Dukelow
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Richland, WA
jim.dukelow@pnl.gov
These comments are mine and have not been reviewed and/or approved by my management or by the U.S. Department of Energy.
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