Post by Logan on Jun 15, 2016 21:29:19 GMT -6
State utility regulator upset that energy storage idea for APS was ignored
PHOENIX – The newest state utility regulator is blasting Chairman Doug Little for sidelining a discussion of whether Arizona Public Service should be forced to use some of the cash it has from ratepayers to reduce peak energy demand through battery storage.
Andy Tobin told Capitol Media Services that all he wanted was to discuss at a meeting this week the idea of requiring APS to look at things like storing energy in batteries. He said that would go a long way toward addressing the bid by APS – and other utilities – to impose new demand charges on customers on top of what they already pay for electricity.
But Tobin said that when he refused a request by APS to table the issue, the utility went to Little. And the chairman admitted he used his authority to yank the item from the agenda.
Little would not consent to be interviewed, instead issuing a statement blasting Tobin’s idea, saying it could result in “substantial additional costs to ratepayers if not properly implemented."
Read more: www.yumasun.com/news/state-utility-regulator-upset-that-energy-storage-idea-for-aps/article_2fbf8ddc-3363-11e6-ad82-231e9b113142.html
The use of battery storage seems like a wise investment in contrast for constructing additional power plants that would sit idle except during peak demand periods. While it is wise to have some extra generation capacity in case a plant has to shut down for maintenance there is also enough difference in temperature extremes between the day and night that storage would be a cost effective measure.
PHOENIX – The newest state utility regulator is blasting Chairman Doug Little for sidelining a discussion of whether Arizona Public Service should be forced to use some of the cash it has from ratepayers to reduce peak energy demand through battery storage.
Andy Tobin told Capitol Media Services that all he wanted was to discuss at a meeting this week the idea of requiring APS to look at things like storing energy in batteries. He said that would go a long way toward addressing the bid by APS – and other utilities – to impose new demand charges on customers on top of what they already pay for electricity.
But Tobin said that when he refused a request by APS to table the issue, the utility went to Little. And the chairman admitted he used his authority to yank the item from the agenda.
Little would not consent to be interviewed, instead issuing a statement blasting Tobin’s idea, saying it could result in “substantial additional costs to ratepayers if not properly implemented."
Read more: www.yumasun.com/news/state-utility-regulator-upset-that-energy-storage-idea-for-aps/article_2fbf8ddc-3363-11e6-ad82-231e9b113142.html
The use of battery storage seems like a wise investment in contrast for constructing additional power plants that would sit idle except during peak demand periods. While it is wise to have some extra generation capacity in case a plant has to shut down for maintenance there is also enough difference in temperature extremes between the day and night that storage would be a cost effective measure.