Power supply should meet summer demand
CALIFORNIA - Blackouts are not likely this summer due to an increase in power supply, according to a report released by the California Independent System Operator Corp.
The California ISO's summer assessment report said an estimated 700 megawatts of new generation will be added to the ISO control area this year, as well as 230 megawatts in new demand response programs. These new generations roughly equal the 1,000 megawatt growth in the base load since last summer.
The ISO expects demand to peak at 47,847 megawatts. Last summer, unexpectedly high temperatures caused the demand to reach 50,270, a historic high on July 24, 2006.
Despite the increase in supply, ISO vice president of operations Jim Detmers said voluntary conservation will be needed to balance supply and demand.
"We will count on consumer to do their part to reduce electricity use on peak days when the California appetite for megawatts rises with the mercury," he said. "New power plants, transmission additions and demand response resources will help us keep pace with load growth, but margins will be tight on peak days, especially in Southern California."
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Sudbury Hydro crews aim to reconnect service after storm
SUDBURY - About 300 Sudbury Hydro customers are still without power Thursday after Monday's powerful microburst storm.
The utility's spokesperson, Wendy Watson, says the power in the affected New Sudbury neighbourhoods should be back on by the weekend.
The storm, which Environment Canada said was classified as a microburst or straight line wind damage, downed a number of power lines in the city.
Now crews are struggling with access to the lines as they work to reconnect service in the area.
"In some cases, you can't get to someone's back yard, or you have to go through the neighbour's yard," Watson said.
"We have one…
