A utility love thread......

[EricL]

Xcel Energy was only getting 8-10% of nameplate capacity from solar during recent cold spell because of snow on the panels.

https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2...energy.php

[fenders53]

(03-04-2019, 09:32 PM)EricL Wrote: Xcel Energy was only getting 8-10% of nameplate capacity from solar during recent cold spell because of snow on the panels.

https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2...energy.php

They should have seen that one coming, at least in their northern region.    I remember a brutal winter like this and we called it 1978.  Have to be prepared for it even if it doesn't happen again this decade.  That is a point that gets lost IMO.  That makes more sense in much of their service area.  The reality is electricity isn't the issue in a winter like this.  I'd need to sell some AAPL shares to stay warm if I wasn't heating with natty gas, and I live 15 miles from one of Buffets nuke plants.

I believe XELs wind power is now just over 20%, a 400% increase since 2005.  Let's call that big green progress, and tell some politicians to educate themselve's someday soon. I can dream.

[NilesMike]

Wind power wanes during both extremes, heatwaves and Polar vortex type conditions.

[fenders53]

(03-04-2019, 10:41 PM)NilesMike Wrote: Wind power wanes during both extremes, heatwaves and Polar vortex type conditions.

Wind power doesn't really work at all in some locales.  XEL is getting 20% overall which I consider very solid.  I don't think anyone is arguing it doesn;t need a backup.  No form of energy to include fossil fuels is without some downside.  And every utility company can't be mandated to look a like.  I'd like to hope that is not the intent of anybody who votes for such things.  I'd like to believe they realize Utes aren't powering alike even in the absence of mandates.

[fenders53]

(03-04-2019, 09:32 PM)EricL Wrote: Xcel Energy was only getting 8-10% of nameplate capacity from solar during recent cold spell because of snow on the panels.

https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2...energy.php

Further down that blog somebody states XEL only supplies 1 1/2% of total power (in Minnesota) with solar in the first place, which does not surprise me.