Comments on: Wind Energy Bumps Into Power Grid’s Limits http://vancouverpeakoil.org/2008/08/27/wind-energy-bumps-into-power-grid%e2%80%99s-limits/ VPOE is working with NGO’s, foundations, citizens' groups and the media to build awareness of the imminent peak oil crisis and its potential effects on the metro Vancouver area. They are currently in the planning stages of a Vancouver Peak Oil Task Force and a Vancouver Food Security conference to be held in Spring 2008. Fri, 27 May 2011 19:08:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: BC_EE http://vancouverpeakoil.org/2008/08/27/wind-energy-bumps-into-power-grid%e2%80%99s-limits/#comment-160 BC_EE Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:48:45 +0000 http://vancouverpeakoil.org/2008/08/27/wind-energy-bumps-into-power-grid%e2%80%99s-limits/#comment-160 Oh Boy, don't get me started!! I could just c-n-p my previous rant on a similar topic, but I'll summarize the two main issues preventing the construction of transmission lines - and then I'll finish with a personal anecdote: 1. The transmission system has been separated from the generation systems by deregulation. Transmission is never a money maker, or barely one, so there is below minimum investment in this infrastructure. Its a classic case of the tragedy of the commons. 2. NIMBYism. Everyone wants zero emission cars, electrified mass transit, and all manner of reducing GHG's. However, when the time comes to actually deliver the electrical power no one wants to look at transmission lines. The disconnect between generation and consumption is vast. I don't blame most people as "The Grid" appears as this amorphous entity that one simply plugs into. I have days like that too, to protect my sanity mostly. Anecdote: I've been working on potential generation and transmission projects in BC, and when the time came to design the power line I had to dig deep. That is, I dug up the old contacts to find the transmission line engineers. There is only a handful left in North America. I was able to locate a very experienced engineer that happened to be living on Vancouver Island. He is retired but still consulting. The only firm doing this engineering work is small and staffed with near retirement personnel. I think we have about a five year window to extract this expertise or its going to be lost. I see this as just one part of the larger issue of our society sleep walking into energy peril. Oh Boy, don’t get me started!! I could just c-n-p my previous rant on a similar topic, but I’ll summarize the two main issues preventing the construction of transmission lines – and then I’ll finish with a personal anecdote:

1. The transmission system has been separated from the generation systems by deregulation. Transmission is never a money maker, or barely one, so there is below minimum investment in this infrastructure. Its a classic case of the tragedy of the commons.

2. NIMBYism. Everyone wants zero emission cars, electrified mass transit, and all manner of reducing GHG’s. However, when the time comes to actually deliver the electrical power no one wants to look at transmission lines. The disconnect between generation and consumption is vast. I don’t blame most people as “The Grid” appears as this amorphous entity that one simply plugs into. I have days like that too, to protect my sanity mostly.

Anecdote: I’ve been working on potential generation and transmission projects in BC, and when the time came to design the power line I had to dig deep. That is, I dug up the old contacts to find the transmission line engineers. There is only a handful left in North America. I was able to locate a very experienced engineer that happened to be living on Vancouver Island. He is retired but still consulting. The only firm doing this engineering work is small and staffed with near retirement personnel.

I think we have about a five year window to extract this expertise or its going to be lost. I see this as just one part of the larger issue of our society sleep walking into energy peril.

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