[Tron_fdc]

I'm trying to understand what her point is here. I actually doubt even SHE knows what she's saying.

The "peak" gas plants that come online when prices are high are a reactionary power source that runs when the free market price hits high levels. In a deregulated market with demand spikes, it's going to happen. Again, this is a market KLEIN built. So look in the mirror before you start blaming the feds, Danielle. These peak plants pillage Albertans when the market doesn't work (you know, the whole supply and demand thing).

Her solution here is to pause renewable development though? Because more power production would smooth out the giant peaks these plants take advantage of. They (renewables) also run cheaper, seeing as most (all?) are heavily financed so they are likely all under contract for their generation supply at a fixed (low) rate. The peak plants ONLY come online when prices are high. That's why they are gas; you can bring a gas turbine on in minutes.

Is she worried renewables aren't reliable enough to cover the demand loads?

Renewables account for approx 10-15% of generation....it's a lot, but it's not like we are going to lose 50% of our capacity here if the wind doesn't blow across Alberta, the sun doesn't shine like Mordor, and there's suddenly massive demand for electricity. IMO I would be surprised to see Alberta lose half their renewable capacity all at once, which would account for MAYBE 10% of our actual generation capacity. At this point, I would push for legislation that allows to run the peak plants as long as they are needed at a fixed rate, and import from BC hydro to make up the remaining load requirements. BC Hydro is tied into the USA as well (or was, I haven't looked lately) so they can handle this.

I'm on the fence with BC hydro though. The last time Alberta did that, BC Hydro closed their dams and IMPORTED from Alberta at night when the prices were low, then opened the dams up during the day to sell power when prices spiked. It cost Alberta billions of dollars until we figured it out.

Seems to me she just wants to allow the peak plants to run anytime they want? I would actually argue they shouldn't be allowed in the first place, because they act like drug dealers in a crack den. Why is the government fighting for the right to get ripped off by them?


Edit here though: I need to REALLY read into the legislation before I can comment on it fully. The electricity market is impossibly confusing for the layman.