Power Grid Not Ready For Renewable Energy Strain

November 12, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

The North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) released a report on the electric industry’s concerns on the reliability impacts of climate change initiatives.

The report identifies four key reliability issues associated with climate change initiatives that NERC says need to be addressed as policies progress:

1. Broad-scale fuel switching from coal to natural gas
The switch over a short timeline could result in the loss of electricity generation needed to support the grid and impact reliability across the continent. Relocating and replacing coal-fired plants with natural gas-fired plants would also require upgrades to existing transmission infrastructure.

2. Transmission infrastructure and planning mechanisms
Current transmission infrastructure are inadequate, therefore new planning and operational mechanisms will be needed to to reliably deliver power from new renewable resources to demand centers.

3. Demand-side resources
Managing growing demand will be critical to meeting both climate and reliability goals.

4. National climate change policy in the U.S
A decision on national climate change policy is needed in the U.S. to provide regulatory certainty and support for industry action.

The Associated Press reported that utilities executives are warning of skyrocketing electricity prices if the country is forced to cap GHG emissions and new technology to capture carbon emissions from coal does not pay off.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Make sustainability part of your strategy.

Get equipped at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Best Practices: Product Environmental Compliance

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Reader Comments

The power grid is outdated in many different ways. It is not only holding back the development of solar and wind power but it is also unable to carry much more electricity in any shape or form.

Zach Hudson | January 22nd, 2009

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader