Gavin's "Miracle"

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DAILY ENERGY NEWS | 09/06/2022

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If only we had access to this kind of reliable, affordable energy all the time. 🤔

CA Dept. of Water Resources (9/5/22) release: "This evening, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) requested the activation of temporary emergency power generators deployed by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) in Roseville and Yuba City. In total, the four generators can provide up to 120 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the statewide power grid during extreme heat events like we are experiencing today. That’s enough electricity to power up to 120,000 homes. This was the first time that the generators were activated since they were installed last year. DWR along with its energy partners at ISO and the California Energy Commission put this plan into motion following Governor Newsom’s executive order in July 2021. We were able to deploy these units quickly and have them ready for any extreme heat events, wildfires, or other climate-driven energy emergencies. 'DWR has been planning for this moment for months and we’re proud of our role in safeguarding the statewide energy grid. We are doing everything possible to help keep the lights on and the air conditioning running so millions of Californians can stay safe and healthy during this extreme heat event,' said Karla Nemeth, DWR Director. The temporary emergency power generators are powered by natural gas and are equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems to reduce emissions and limit air quality impacts. The program is designed to support a transition to a clean energy future and is temporary in nature. In addition to the 120 MW of generation from the temporary emergency power generators, DWR has coordinated with PG&E and Southern California Edison to procure, install, and operate dozens of backup generators to be operated only during a level 2 power emergency, as declared by ISO. These backup generators are located in Northern California and Southern California and can provide up to an additional 80 MW of electricity into the statewide grid."

“When policies on emissions reductions collide with policies focused on economic growth, economic growth will win out every time.”

– Roger Pielke Jr.,
The University of Colorado

How do you like net zero now?

Deutsche Welle (31/22) reports: "In Germany, prices for gasoline and public transport surged on September 1st, as government subsidies expired. The price for natural gas — which half of all households use for heating — and for electricity has skyrocketed and food prices are affected by rising inflation. The government is trying to encourage consumers and businesses to save energy in whichever way they can to prevent a shortage during the winter months asRussia continues to reduce flows of natural gas to Germany. The Energy Saving Ordinance comes into force today for six months. This is what it entails:

Retail stores may no longer keep their doors open throughout the day to reduce electricity consumption for air conditioning when it is hot outside — and for heating on cold winter days.

Illuminated advertising must be switched off after 10p.m., with only a few exceptions. If advertisements serve traffic safety, they remain switched on, for example, at railroad underpasses. Street lamps also remain on, and store windows may continue to be illuminated.
Monuments and other buildings may no longer be illuminated at night. At least not for purely aesthetic reasons. However, emergency lighting will not be switched off, and illumination is permitted for cultural events and public festivals....
A second set of rules will come into force in October, apply for two years, and stipulate longer-term energy-saving measures. For example, all owners of buildings with a gas heating system must have a heating efficiency checkup."

Feel good story of the day. WV miners help one of their customers get to a charging station.

WBOY (9/3/22) reports: "On Friday, an electric vehicle broke down along Corridor H in Tucker County on its way to a weekend getaway in Davis. Luckily, a group of local coal miners were happy to help. Tucker County’s Senator Randy Smith documented the moment on Facebook. The car broke down right in front of the Mettiki Coal access road on US 48, which is several miles from Davis. 'Someone called one of our foreman and told him a car was broke down in the middle of our haul road,' said Smith’s post. Because the vehicle was plastic underneath, there was no way to tow it, so a group of miners decided to push it. 'So here are 5 coal miners pushing a battery car to the coal mine to charge up.' You could even see mounds of coal in the background while the vehicle was charging. Smith said he was glad that the group of miners from his company was able to help out because they likely wouldn’t have been able to get a tow truck in a place that remote. Despite the recent controversy with coal power and the push toward alternatives that are more energy efficient like electric cars, the group was happy to help. 'Shows even though they aren’t crazy about electric cars they still have a good heart and treat people with respect and would help anyone in need.' Smith said that one of the group even dropped off a 'Friend of Coal' license plate before he headed back home."