Comments - SYNAPSE STUDY OF NEW ENGLAND FUTURE GAS CONSUMPTION AND PIPELINE REQUIREMENTS - Citizens' Task Force on Wind Power - Maine2024-03-29T06:06:34Zhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profiles/comment/feed?attachedTo=4401701%3ABlogPost%3A155095&xn_auth=noCorrection:
In below comment,…tag:www.windtaskforce.org,2019-01-05:4401701:Comment:1553902019-01-05T10:35:21.336ZWillem Posthttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/WillemPost942
<p>Correction:</p>
<p>In below comment, $0.5/kWh should read $0.05/kWh</p>
<p>Correction:</p>
<p>In below comment, $0.5/kWh should read $0.05/kWh</p> Hi Dan,
A 4 MW solar array wi…tag:www.windtaskforce.org,2019-01-04:4401701:Comment:1552342019-01-04T22:04:42.919ZWillem Posthttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/WillemPost942
<p>Hi Dan,</p>
<p>A 4 MW solar array will take up at least 30 acres of relatively level, open land.</p>
<p>The turnkey cost is about $12 million</p>
<p>Utilities are allowed to make 9%/y on invested capital</p>
<p>Assume money is borrowed at 5%/y for 25 years</p>
<p>Amortize $12 million PV system at 14%/y for 25 years; total payments $42.3 million</p>
<p>Amortize $12 million loan at 5%/y for 25 years; total payments $21 million</p>
<p>Net income to utility $21.3 million. Rate payers pay…</p>
<p>Hi Dan,</p>
<p>A 4 MW solar array will take up at least 30 acres of relatively level, open land.</p>
<p>The turnkey cost is about $12 million</p>
<p>Utilities are allowed to make 9%/y on invested capital</p>
<p>Assume money is borrowed at 5%/y for 25 years</p>
<p>Amortize $12 million PV system at 14%/y for 25 years; total payments $42.3 million</p>
<p>Amortize $12 million loan at 5%/y for 25 years; total payments $21 million</p>
<p>Net income to utility $21.3 million. Rate payers pay that.</p>
<p>Production over 25 years = 25 x 4000 kW x 8766 x 0.145 = 127.1 million kWh</p>
<p>Electricity cost = 0.165/kWh (mostly a noon-time affair, variable, intermittent, not there at all at night, which compares with $0.5/kWh (wholesale, always there 24/7/365) for the entire NE grid, which has been at that level for about 9 years. </p>
<p>Various direct and indirect subsidies, such as cash grants, taxes, fees, surcharges, shifting costs to the rate base, rate increases, are use to reduce the $/kWh to make it APPEAR to be "competitive".</p>
<p>Same story with the battery system, which lasts only 12 to 15 years.</p> Willem
Madison Electric Wor…tag:www.windtaskforce.org,2019-01-04:4401701:Comment:1552312019-01-04T15:24:48.004ZDan McKayhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/DanMcKay
<p>Willem</p>
<p><span> Madison Electric Works in Maine is transforming to incorporate a 4MW solar array into their distribution territory. They are a municipal department and is exempt from the generation-distribution decoupling law. </span></p>
<div> They are considering adding storage capacity to augment their solar generation. </div>
<div> Bottom line of whether they achieve success or failure will be in the rates they establish going forward and whether customers are satisfied or…</div>
<p>Willem</p>
<p><span> Madison Electric Works in Maine is transforming to incorporate a 4MW solar array into their distribution territory. They are a municipal department and is exempt from the generation-distribution decoupling law. </span></p>
<div> They are considering adding storage capacity to augment their solar generation. </div>
<div> Bottom line of whether they achieve success or failure will be in the rates they establish going forward and whether customers are satisfied or not.</div>
<div> Some of the related costs that MEW will have to consider as they deploy their DG in association with CMP :</div>
<div> 1. Grid capacity provided by CMP </div>
<div> A. needed power for overload capacity, </div>
<div> B. may absorb energy during overgeneration,</div>
<div> C. supports stable voltage and frequency.</div>
<div> 2. Startup power deserves special mention. Large devices such as air compressors, air conditioners, and transformers require a significant in-rush current to run. Standalone PV systems may not have the requisite power to start these devices unless they are significantly oversized. For a residential air conditioner, the peak current measured to start the device “is six to eight times the standard operating current.”Therefore, most PV systems need the grid connection and the power supplied by the grid to start these larger devices. </div>
<div> 3. In terms of voltage quality, another benefit to the grid is its limiting of harmonic distortion. Absent a grid connection, DERs are prone to harmonic distortion, which in turn could lead to devices malfunctioning or shortening their useful life. Low voltage quality also leads to a reduction in system efficiency. </div> Penny,
If you had more panels…tag:www.windtaskforce.org,2019-01-04:4401701:Comment:1549972019-01-04T10:59:05.662ZWillem Posthttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/WillemPost942
<p>Penny,</p>
<p>If you had more panels your generator would not need to run as much</p>
<p>Penny,</p>
<p>If you had more panels your generator would not need to run as much</p> Thank you for that info, Will…tag:www.windtaskforce.org,2019-01-03:4401701:Comment:1552242019-01-03T22:21:37.208ZPenny Grayhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/PennyGray
<p>Thank you for that info, Willem. My battery bank is small, my needs are small. But still, the battery bank is the most expensive component of my 500 watt photovoltaic system. And right now my generator is charging my battery bank, not the solar panels. This will continue for several months here in northern Maine.</p>
<p>Thank you for that info, Willem. My battery bank is small, my needs are small. But still, the battery bank is the most expensive component of my 500 watt photovoltaic system. And right now my generator is charging my battery bank, not the solar panels. This will continue for several months here in northern Maine.</p> Dan,
Microgrids are an expens…tag:www.windtaskforce.org,2019-01-03:4401701:Comment:1552232019-01-03T20:05:34.414ZWillem Posthttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/WillemPost942
<p>Dan,</p>
<p>Microgrids are an expensive hoax, perpetrated by idle bureaucrats on lay people, that will NOT EVER PAY, if all costs are properly allocated, instead of fudged into the rate schedule, and made to look better with subsidies and grants.</p>
<p>I am sure GMP and other utilities have hidden spreadsheets that show actual costs, and what they need to hide, by hook or crook, to get those spreadsheets to look good. Some categories of costs disappear into the rate base behind closed…</p>
<p>Dan,</p>
<p>Microgrids are an expensive hoax, perpetrated by idle bureaucrats on lay people, that will NOT EVER PAY, if all costs are properly allocated, instead of fudged into the rate schedule, and made to look better with subsidies and grants.</p>
<p>I am sure GMP and other utilities have hidden spreadsheets that show actual costs, and what they need to hide, by hook or crook, to get those spreadsheets to look good. Some categories of costs disappear into the rate base behind closed doors.</p> Penny,
Good question.
Seasona…tag:www.windtaskforce.org,2019-01-03:4401701:Comment:1552222019-01-03T20:00:31.751ZWillem Posthttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/WillemPost942
<p>Penny,</p>
<p>Good question.</p>
<p>Seasonal storage for NE would be about 8 TWh, if NE had 60% plus wind and solar, and used batteries (instead of gas turbines) for most of the peaking, filling in and balancing.</p>
<p>One TWh costs about $400 billion, turnkey</p>
<p>Any energy passing through storage would lose about 20%, on a HV AC-to-HV AC basis.</p>
<p>Penny,</p>
<p>Good question.</p>
<p>Seasonal storage for NE would be about 8 TWh, if NE had 60% plus wind and solar, and used batteries (instead of gas turbines) for most of the peaking, filling in and balancing.</p>
<p>One TWh costs about $400 billion, turnkey</p>
<p>Any energy passing through storage would lose about 20%, on a HV AC-to-HV AC basis.</p> An Act To Allow Mi…tag:www.windtaskforce.org,2019-01-03:4401701:Comment:1549902019-01-03T18:48:21.852ZDan McKayhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/DanMcKay
<div> <b><i><span> </span> An Act To Allow Microgrids That Are in the Public Interest </i></b></div>
<div><b><i> </i></b></div>
<p><b><i> Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:</i></b><span> </span></p>
<div><b><i> </i></b></div>
<div><b><i>Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §2305-B, sub-§§1 and 2</i></b>, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 110, 3 §2, are amended to read:</div>
<div><br></br><div> 1.<span> </span><b><i>Transmission and distribution utilities; microgrids.</i></b> …</div>
</div>
<div> <b><i><span> </span> An Act To Allow Microgrids That Are in the Public Interest </i></b></div>
<div><b><i> </i></b></div>
<p><b><i> Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:</i></b><span> </span></p>
<div><b><i> </i></b></div>
<div><b><i>Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §2305-B, sub-§§1 and 2</i></b>, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 110, 3 §2, are amended to read:</div>
<div><br/><div> 1.<span> </span><b><i>Transmission and distribution utilities; microgrids.</i></b> A transmission and distribution utility<span> </span><u>or a person that constructs, maintains or operates a new microgrid approved in accordance with section 3351, subsection 3<span> </span></u>may construct and maintain its lines in, upon, along, over, across or under the roads and streets in any municipality in which it is authorized to supply electricity, subject to the conditions and restrictions provided in this chapter and chapter 25. </div>
<div> 2.<span> </span><b><i>Persons other than transmission and distribution utilities or persons that construct, maintain or operate a new microgrid.</i></b><span> </span>A person other than a transmission and distribution utility<span> </span><u>or person that constructs, maintains or operates a new microgrid approved in accordance with section 3351, subsection 3<span> </span></u>may not construct or maintain electric lines, including poles or other related structures, in, upon, along, over, across or under a road, street or other public way unless: </div>
<div> A. The person satisfies the requirements of section 2503; </div>
<div> B. The person or the person's contractor hired to construct the line provides to the applicable licensing authority a performance bond: </div>
<div> (1) In the amount of the value of the line, including poles or other related structures, to be located in the public way; and </div>
<div> (2) That is enforceable for one year from the date the line is energized; </div>
<div> C. Prior to constructing the line, the person notifies the transmission and distribution utility in whose service territory the line is proposed to be built of the proposed location of the line; and </div>
<div> D. If a public utility objects to the line on the basis that it may constitute a duplication of existing transmission or distribution facilities or may interfere with the adequate and safe delivery of electricity to others, the commission issues a finding that the line is not a duplication of existing transmission or distribution facilities and does not interfere with the adequate and safe delivery of electricity to others. A finding is not required under this paragraph unless a public utility has objected in writing to the applicable licensing authority.</div>
<div><b><i> Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA c. 33-A<span> </span></i></b>is enacted to read: </div>
<div> <span> </span><b><i><u>CHAPTER 33-A </u></i></b></div>
<div><u> <span> </span><b><i> MICROGRIDS</i></b> </u></div>
<div><b><i>§3351.<span> </span><u>Microgrids</u></i></b></div>
<div> <span> </span><b><i> 1.<u><span> </span>Definitions.</u></i></b><u><span> </span>As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 37 following terms have the following meanings.</u> </div>
<div> A.<span> </span><u>"Distributed energy resources" means small-scale electrical generation sources located close to where the generated electricity is used. <span> </span></u> B.<span> </span><u>"New microgrid" means a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy 4 resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the electric grid and can connect and disconnect from the electric grid to enable the new microgrid to operate in both electric grid-connected mode and nongrid-connected mode, also referred to as island mode, and that is constructed after October 1, 2019.</u> </div>
<div> <span> </span><b><i>2.<span> </span><u>Microgrids, public utility exception</u></i></b><u>. Notwithstanding section 2102 or any other provision of this Title, a person that constructs, maintains or operates a new microgrid approved under subsection 3 does not, as a result of furnishing service through that new microgrid to participating consumers, become a public utility and is not subject to regulation as a public utility under this Title. </u></div>
<div> <b><i>3.<u><span> </span>Commission approval.</u></i></b><u><span> </span>The commission shall approve a petition to construct and operate a new microgrid if the commission finds that operation of the new microgrid is in the public interest and the new microgrid meets at least the following requirements:</u> </div>
<div> A. <u><span> </span>The proposed new microgrid will serve a total load of no more than 10 megawatts; </u></div>
<div> B. <u><span> </span> The distributed energy resources for the new microgrid meet the portfolio requirements in section 3210, subsections 3 and 3-A; </u></div>
<div> C. <u>The person proposing the new microgrid demonstrates that the person has the financial capacity to operate the proposed new microgrid;</u> D. <u>The person proposing the new microgrid demonstrates the technical capability to operate the proposed new microgrid; </u></div>
<div> E. <u><span> </span><i> There is a relationship between the proposed new microgrid operator and consumers within the area to be served by the proposed new microgrid;</i></u></div>
<div> F.<span> </span><u>The person proposing, owning or operating the new microgrid is not an investor-owned transmission and distribution utility, an affiliate of an investor-owned transmission and distribution utility or an affiliated interest of an investor-owned transmission and distribution utility; and </u></div>
<div> G.<span> </span><u>The proposed new microgrid will not negatively affect the reliability and security of the electrical system. </u></div>
<div> <u>For the purposes of this subsection, when determining whether a proposed new microgrid is in the public interest, the commission may consider possible ratepayer effects, whether positive or negative, benefits due to the increased resilience or reliability of the electric grid, economic development benefits or any other factors the commission considers necessary to promote the public interest. </u></div>
<div> <span> </span><u> In granting its approval, the commission shall impose such terms, conditions or requirements on the construction, maintenance or operation of the new microgrid as, in its judgment, it considers necessary.<span> </span></u></div>
</div>
<div> <span> </span><b><i> 4.<span> </span><u>Participant; grid protections.</u></i></b><u><span> </span>A new microgrid approved in accordance with subsection 3 is subject to commission oversight to ensure reliability and security of the electrical system and consumer protections for new microgrid consumers. <br/></u></div>
<div> <span> </span><b>Sec. 3. Report.</b><span> </span>The Public Utilities Commission shall submit a report by January 15, 2021 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy and utility matters detailing its activities related to new microgrids as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 3351, subsection 1, paragraph B, including whether any new microgrids have been approved under Title 35-A, section 3351. The report must also include any recommendations for legislation that may be necessary to clarify or enhance the law regarding new microgrids. The committee may report out a bill to the First Regular Session of the 130th Legislature based on the report. <u><br/></u></div>
<div> <span> </span><b><i>SUMMARY</i></b></div>
<div><b><i> </i></b></div>
<div> This bill directs the Public Utilities Commission to approve a petition to construct and operate a new microgrid if the commission finds the proposal to be in the public interest and the new microgrid meets other specified requirements. It provides the commission with the ability to impose such terms, conditions or requirements as, in its judgment, it considers necessary in approving a new microgrid and also gives the commission oversight to ensure reliability and security of the electrical system and consumer protections for new microgrid consumers. It specifies that a new microgrid 20 does not become a public utility as a result of its furnishing electrical service to participating consumers. It provides that a new microgrid that has been approved by the commission may construct, maintain or operate its lines in, upon, along, over, across or under the roads and streets. The bill directs the Public Utilities Commission to submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy and utility matters by January 15, 2021. </div> What size battery bank would…tag:www.windtaskforce.org,2019-01-03:4401701:Comment:1553222019-01-03T17:42:57.854ZPenny Grayhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/PennyGray
<p>What size battery bank would it take to power NYC for 12 hours? 24 hours?</p>
<p>What size battery bank would it take to power NYC for 12 hours? 24 hours?</p> With a net out migration from…tag:www.windtaskforce.org,2019-01-03:4401701:Comment:1553102019-01-03T02:08:59.725Zarthur qwenkhttps://www.windtaskforce.org/profile/arthurqwenk
<p>With a net out migration from the New England region very possible resulting in lowered electrical need, this is all smoke and mirror politicized spreadsheet absurdity.</p>
<p>When the bills come due, reality will set in.</p>
<p>Dense energy rules , not renewable low density ideology.</p>
<p>Conn. is already re-upping nukes for its energy mix, and wisely so.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With a net out migration from the New England region very possible resulting in lowered electrical need, this is all smoke and mirror politicized spreadsheet absurdity.</p>
<p>When the bills come due, reality will set in.</p>
<p>Dense energy rules , not renewable low density ideology.</p>
<p>Conn. is already re-upping nukes for its energy mix, and wisely so.</p>
<p> </p>