Power Distribution in New England - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: watchmaker
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 09, 2025, 11:16:32 am
content: Because I am not well informed on the issues, this article on the New England (USA) ISO (regional power distribution authority) caught my eye and I read it in entirety. (https://rifreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/ISO-NE-r3d-final.pdf). While the sponsor groups have a definite point of view to advocate, the report does cover some real issues that are not much discussed.Right now, New Englanders rely on dispatchable (their term) energy sources for heat during the winter, such as rely on coal, natural gas and wood. New England's highest electricity demand is during the summer months.The move to carbon neutral policies will change this pattern. All good so far.BUT, dispatchable energy supplies for electricity (and only NH has a nuclear plant) will also shrink. These sources are non weather dependent and provide electricity that can be relied on and scaled up or down "instantly" depending upon demand.Solar and wind are highly weather dependent and large scale battery arrays can provide only finite reserve.This means they are less effective during the shortened days and even out of service during storm related events.OK, New England. At the moment, New England's summer electric demand depends on the supply from Canada Hydro. As might be expected, Canada's highest electric demand is during the winter months. Colder and shorter daylight. Summer is temperate with long days.This creates a workable relationship between New England and Canada.BUT, as carbon neutral policies in New England are executed, the demand for electricity in New England will shift to compete for that of Canadian demand. And Canada Hydro will not be able to cover New England.At the same time, these carbon neutral policies will discourage the continuation of the dispatchable sources of electricity (coal, natural gas). This puts New England ISO into a bind.This does not even take into account the charging of EVs and heat pump water heaters. Or the fact that New England IS getting hotter and more humid in the summers. AFAIK, it is still a crap shoot what will happen to winter temps in New England. Could get colder and drier.Behind the meter power generation (residential solar and wind) will not take up much slack during the winter for obvious reasons.This seems to suggest (and is the position of the authors) that New England will need some form of dispatchable electricity. And to make it worse, you cannot just expect companies to build plants and maintain in mothballs until needed. They will need to be generating revenue year round to be feasible.This report, while it represents a specific point of view (I think biased is too strong), has encourage me to read more about these issues. Carbon neutral appears more complicated than the glossy picture generally presented.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2025, 01:37:50 pm
content: Over the barrel spot prices can get pretty ridiculous, one day of generation can pay profit for a year. Relying on gamblers to fill the gaps will be expensive though.There are probably plans from actual modelers which assume massive expansion of hydrogen electrolysis/storage/generators, same as in EU. The problem is not the proper plans, the problem is politics and citizens not willing to pay the price . Being green isn't really relevant in that respect, even the politically correct green ones love to be told lies that it can be done on the cheap ... most hydrogen bashing is not done from the perspective of pushing nuclear, but to tell the fairy tale it's somehow avoidable even with renewables.