The Richland plant is unique in the flexibility that resulted in such savings. Engineers at the Washington Public Power Supply System made modifications to its reactor last summer, which reduced the use of valves to control the flow of cooling water. This enables us to make easier transitions in power levels. Most plants don't have this requirement. A change in the weather means not only a change in demand for electricity but a change in how much energy can be produced.
More rain can mean more electricity - almost overnight.
It's a process called load-following. When demand is high, the plant goes to 100 percent. Such nimbleness was nearly impossible before the new pumps were installed, Ace said. So, in the past, Bonneville simply shut down the plant in the spring. This year, the plant could idle back and not send a huge amount of power into the market when it wasn't needed, such as at night.