Renewables and peaking gas stations compete to meet top-end demand when utilities are busiest. While coal and nuclear manage base load when it is steadier. Renewables have started taking over from gas, in the role of helping utilities manage high spots. Now Edison International is fighting back with a new peaking gas strategy.
How Edison Peaking Gas is Developing Spinning Reserve
‘Spinning reserve’ dates a way back to when coal was abundant, and global warming gave us great suntans. Coal-fired power increased or decreased its generated output by adjusting the torque to its turbines’ rotors.
However, this was cost-inefficient when working at lower torque, because they were burning the same amount of coal. Nuclear proved more flexible, but it still needs hours to adjust its fuel rods.
Utilities added peaking gas turbines to their generating mix, when this resource became freely available through fracking and other means. But this method is relatively expensive per megawatt produced. Moreover solar, wind power, and their associated batteries are a greener alternative. In fact, natural gas has been on the back foot for the past few years.
How Edison Gains by Entering the ‘Spinning Gas’ Market
Edison has decided to enter the hybrid electricity market. It is adding battery storage to two of its 50-megawatt gas turbines. These allow it to enter the spinning reserve marketplace, thereby increasing unit run time, while reducing average cost per gas-generated megawatt.
This sector of the energy mix is lucrative compared to base load. Large base-load generators can earn as little as 25c per megawatt, compared to $4 paid to peaking gas that’s immediately ready. However, renewables have low carbon footprints and sustainability up their sleeve. Whichever resource dominates, it will need batteries for storage. We sure have come a long way from battery flashlights and transistor radios.
Related
South California Edison New Year Gift
Three Nuclear Power Plants Worth of Batteries
Preview Image: Big Bend Gas Power Station
