Washington, 17 July (Argus) — Policymakers in California are focused on replacing the generation capacity lost from the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) with renewable energy, energy efficiency and demand response.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Energy Commission held a workshop yesterday to discuss electricity infrastructure issues arising from the closure of the 2,200MW nuclear plant in northwestern San Diego County.
Southern California Edison closed San Onofre in June after battling with regulators for permission to restart the plant's reactors. Both units 1 and 2 had been out of service since early 2012 following the discovery of leaks in a recently replaced steam generator.
Commissioners from both agencies said the closure presents opportunities to implement policies that promote renewable energy and energy conservation measures.
CPUC commissioner Mike Florio called the plant's closure an opportunity to “reshape” the generation mix in the state. The PUC is evaluating which energy sources it will allow investor-owned utilities to procure in the long term without the availability of San Onofre. It expects to issue a decision in either later this year or in early 2014.
Noushin Ketabi, senior analyst in the energy division at the CPUC, said the commission expects so-called preferred resources to replace the bulk of the lost nuclear power. These include renewable energy, energy efficiency and demand response, as well as efficient gas-fired generation. This focus on “clean” energy resources dovetails with California's energy goals to achieve a 33pc renewable portfolio standard and greenhouse gas-reduction goals.
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) estimates 3,460-4,615MW of new capacity will be required to meet electric demand in the Los Angeles Basin without San Onofre. The grid operator predicts 1,120MW will be needed by 2018 in San Diego.
San Diego Gas & Electric expects to be able to meet electricity demand this summer, but resources will be “tight,” said Will Speer, director of transmission planning at the utility. It is predicting summer peak demand of 4,600MW and will need help with conservation and demand response to meet electricity usage, he said. The utility is planning to add new transmission lines and generation sources to address the resource shortfall in the long term.
Southern California Edison expects to be able to meet expected load growth in its system using a mix of preferred resources, such as renewables and electricity conservation. About 1,775MW of new gas-fired generation has recently come into service in its territory. It expects it will need a minimum 2,800MW of new resources to meet future load growth.
Send comments to feedback@argusmedia.com
km/cpc 3.0
If you would like to review other ArgusMedia.com content options, request more information about Argus' energy news, data and analysis services.
Copyright © 2013 Argus Media Ltd - www.ArgusMedia.com - All rights reserved.
