crisis intervention commentary [RE-wrenches]

Tue Aug 19 19:59:49 PDT 2003

Dear Bruce,
Thank you for your insights. Here's a couple of things that the U.S. and New
Zealand have in common: an out-grown grid infrastructure and no renewable energy
people in political power. Oh, here's another thing: a growing number of
self-reliant, post-industrial, avant garde technologists. Onward through the
fog.
Best regards,
Joel Davidson

Bruce Geddes wrote:

> Hi Joel,
>             The article refered to in your link is the blackout that
> occurred a couple of years ago.  This was caused in Summer by the main feed
> cable (underground) overheating and suffering insulation breakdown.  The
> backup cable suffered the same fate (same age).  Then the backup backup
> cable also melted!  The replacement of these cables had been flagged for
> replacement for years but short term profits meant it didn't happen.
>
> Now, for the last 2 winters we have had pending power crisies, and it has
> only been the efforts of business and private homes cutting power
> consumption that has prevented blackouts.  Lack of Autmn (Fall) rains has
> been the problem as much of our hydro capacity is in the southern (coldest)
> part of the country and winter precipitation is in the form of snow.  Our
> storage lakes are not really designed to store massive volumes of water,
> they act more as a very large stilling pond and allow the dam to provide
> head for the turbines.  Coupled with an increasing natural gas consumption
> for the newer power stations and a depleting gas reserve the situation is
> looking like a (conventional) planners worst nightmare.
>
> Renewables is the answer here with large scale wind a very promising option,
> but only if it will get started!  That is why the recent trouble in the
> States is another warning bell for us down here and in a few years time the
> renewable suppliers will be very busy indeed, if we can source materials as
> the rest of the world will also be pretty active :-)
>
> Cheers
> Bruce
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joel Davidson" <joeldavidson at earthlink.net>
> To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
> Sent: Monday, August 18, 2003 9:24 AM
> Subject: Re: crisis intervention commentary [RE-wrenches]
>
> > Dear Bruce,
> >
> > Whether it is New Zealand's power outages
> > <http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9803/27/auckland.outage/> or California's
> rolling
> > blackouts <http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/01/18/lefevre.debrief.02/> or the
> latest
> > blackout, obsolete infrastructure (hardware) can not be improved with
> obsolete
> > management practices (hardheadedness).
> >
> > It doesn't take a genius to:
> > 1. Turn off the electric switch to see what gadgets stop.
> > 2. Then rank how important it is to keep the gadgets on.
> > 3. Then devise a plan to ensure that desired gadgets stay on.
> > 4. Then implement the plan.
> > 5. Then continually revise the plan and its implementation while keeping
> an
> > open mind for new ideas.
> >
> > Best regards,
> > Joel Davidson
> > "To the blind all things seem sudden."
> >
> > Bruce Geddes wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Keith and others.  The USA is not the only place grappling with these
> > > issues.  Here in good ol New Zealand we instigated a reform on the power
> > > industry back in 1993 which saw the emphasis go to short term profits.
> > > Since then all new power generation has come from gas turbines in a
> country
> > > where hydro used to account for >80% of generation.  Now down to
> somewhere
> > > around 50-60%.  No upgrade of the national grid to meet increased
> demand.
> > >
> > > In the renewable industry we are also facing problems getting utilities
> to
> > > accept grid intertie.  Being a much smaller country, our hope is to get
> a
> > > nationwide protocol in place at governmental level to set the rules.  It
> is
> > > a battle and the situation that has occured in your parts gives us
> strength
> > > to fight our battle.
> > >
> > > Hopefully this will be a great opportunity for you also to push
> renewables
> > > and energy efficiency.  I also use the approach of "payback" for other
> > > lifestyle symbols but you can only lead a horse to water.......
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > > Bruce
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "keith" <kcronin at lava.net>
> > > To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
> > > Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2003 5:17 PM
> > > Subject: crisis intervention commentary [RE-wrenches]
> > >
> > > >
> > > > These last 48 hours have taught us a lot about our current energy
> grid.
> > > > It has become a clogged artery, in desperate need of a stent.  The
> > > > demand has outstripped supply.  Our insatiable demand for easily
> > > > accessible electricity has reached our uneducated cities.  It seems
> the
> > > > privilege of plugging in and not factoring in any consequences for the
> > > > actions, has been brought to our cerebrums.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I had eleven calls today, all in sheer misbelief of the power issues
> of
> > > > this nation.  It seems the head must come out of the sand, and today
> is
> > > > the day that transpired.  I tried subtly to explain the consequences
> of
> > > > failure to be cognizant of our energy consumption.  I think it fell on
> > > > deaf ears.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > It got to an interesting level of concern, that the local TV station
> > > > asked for a 1.5 hour interview to understand and pursue the issues.
> > > > Through a constant inquiry, I felt compelled to share what knowledge I
> > > > have acquired over time.  Sheer amazement surrounded the interviewer.
> > > > Surely he was kidding!  Could he not believe the issues facing the
> > > > future.  He recognized it was semi on his radar screen, but not an
> > > > impending disaster.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I ponder.are we all creatures of habit...waiting..for something to
> > > > happen.and then react.??
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > The interview came down to the usual.payback for PV,  what can it run,
> > > > why.etc..my typical answers where.payback on the SUV, Stripper fishing
> > > > boat, jet ski, the $90K Mercedes..what do you really need to run.what
> do
> > > > you really need???
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > After the crew left.I wondered.where are our priorities..??......will
> we
> > > > always wait till the last possible minute.??..will our government and
> > > > the EPRI (electric power research institute) ( on tv today.exclaiming
> > > > 10% renewables in the country..time to up the percentage) continue to
> > > > tell us we need to upgrade our transmission lines..or should we simply
> > > > spend those dollars more wisely in distributed generation..make power
> > > > where you use it.(pv for example.. at home)...??????
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I realize this is a revolutionary concept..and so were the pilgrims
> that
> > > > founded this country...can't we think about our future.in respect to
> the
> > > > communities we live in.??...if we fail to invest in our communities,
> > > > where are we as a nation...????............imagine this blackout
> > > > happened in the middle of winter..with a terrorist twist...
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > All inquiries..welcome..!!!!!
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Aloha
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Keith Cronin
> > > >
> > > > President
> > > >
> > > > Island Energy Solutions
> > > >
> > > > 318A Kuulei Rd
> > > >
> > > > Kailua, HI 96734
> > > >
> > > > 808-262-3268 Tel
> > > >
> > > > 808-263-0338 Fax
> > > >
> > > > www.islandenergy.net

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