Post by Logan on Jun 19, 2016 6:53:05 GMT -6
ATLANTA — Sweltering summer days have traditionally been when electricity generators have had to work the hardest to keep up with demand, but Georgia Power says changes in weather now require it to add generating capacity for winter.
The idea met with head-scratching by the five members of the Public Service Commission during a recent hearing.
Blame it on the brutal winter storm that crippled the South in 2014. After adding the low temperatures from that storm to the 53-year statistics, Georgia Power executives were in for a surprise. Company analysts were preparing for an update to long-term plans to be submitted to the commission. After running 175,000 scenarios, the data showed winter peak demand requires more reserve capacity.
For decades, the utility has aimed for a 15 percent reserve – unused generating power that can be ramped up quickly when needed. The model now called for 17.75 percent for optimum reliability.
Read more: chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2016-06-18/georgia-power-wants-raise-reserves-winter?v=1466278459
The idea met with head-scratching by the five members of the Public Service Commission during a recent hearing.
Blame it on the brutal winter storm that crippled the South in 2014. After adding the low temperatures from that storm to the 53-year statistics, Georgia Power executives were in for a surprise. Company analysts were preparing for an update to long-term plans to be submitted to the commission. After running 175,000 scenarios, the data showed winter peak demand requires more reserve capacity.
For decades, the utility has aimed for a 15 percent reserve – unused generating power that can be ramped up quickly when needed. The model now called for 17.75 percent for optimum reliability.
Read more: chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2016-06-18/georgia-power-wants-raise-reserves-winter?v=1466278459