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California Grid Breezes Through Heatwave with Batteries

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Re: California Grid Breezes Through Heatwave with Batteries

#2

Post by ChuckMcM »

This is an interesting data point. Grid scale batteries are a pretty big change in how grids are managed, things like "anticipating load" and starting up "peaker plants" to catch that load are mitigated by the ability to wait and see while the batteries fill in the gap.

Re: California Grid Breezes Through Heatwave with Batteries

#6

Post by toomuchtodo »

ChuckMcM wrote: post #2

This is an interesting data point. Grid scale batteries are a pretty big change in how grids are managed, things like "anticipating load" and starting up "peaker plants" to catch that load are mitigated by the ability to wait and see while the batteries fill in the gap.

Batteries charge for free when renewables push spot prices to zero or negative and discharge when most needed and getting paid to do so; they comin’ for fossil gas generation that pays to burn (fuel) and spin (per hour O&M).

Re: California Grid Breezes Through Heatwave with Batteries

#7

Post by gretch »

wumeow wrote: post #3

Compare and contrast with Texas.

Why? Why does this new innovation in the california grid have to be all about dunking on texas?

(As a californian) It's especially annoying coming from anyone californian, the state of Enron and PGE wildfires. Like we are so caught up in the vanity of comparison that we quickly rush to forgive our past sins while condemning the mistakes of others for forever and ever.

How about as technologists, we just focus on innovating (which is not a zero sum game) and we don't compare ourselves to people who aren't doing as well.

Re: California Grid Breezes Through Heatwave with Batteries

#9

Post by _Microft »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #6
ChuckMcM wrote: post #2

This is an interesting data point. Grid scale batteries are a pretty big change in how grids are managed, things like "anticipating load" and starting up "peaker plants" to catch that load are mitigated by the ability to wait and see while the batteries fill in the gap.

Batteries charge for free when renewables push spot prices to zero or negative and discharge when most needed and getting paid to do so; they comin’ for fossil gas generation that pays to burn (fuel) and spin (per hour O&M).

They might even be paid for consuming power because that provides stability to the grid [0] in such a situation. Too little load causes the frequency on the grid to rise which is only acceptable within narrow limits.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancillary_services_(electric_p...

Re: California Grid Breezes Through Heatwave with Batteries

#10

Post by z_rex »

I work in the power generation industry. The large scale introduction of Battery Storage is going to be a game changer for renewables since it will allow overproduction during the day to be stored for the evening peak. I think the current fad of peaking plants is somewhat overblown, as the average large scale battery storage system will not face the issues with starting reliability that can be present on large gas turbine power plants, which not only affect the grid but can be very expensive as a failed starts consumes large amounts of fuel to no effect. In the end, this will drive carbon-producing power capabilities to largely only run during the night when solar is out of service.
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