what the heck is that horrible stink?

[Frank]

could you put a date on that last time Rob?

[Rob Tucker]

Last year. They were brand new.

[Frank]

thanks Rob...any idea as to the rate paid for wind generated energy? is that tied to the price of oil as well?

[Rob Tucker]

No idea on wind. My guess on the oil tie in for geothermal is that it was set up as an incentive for a number of years to encourage investment in alternative energy.

[Carey]

The electric rate here is tied to oil, and that has been covered many times in many threads here...there are other wind farms on island, including on Parker ranch.... and all are IPPs (along with most all of the non-oil generated power...)

Interesting to note, HELCO STARTED on alternative energy production (then it was just 'energy production', and their first power plant is still producing..on alternative energy...but their INVESTMENT on alternative pretty much is there.....the old Puueo plant and the slightly newer Waiau plant....even though their ADVERTISING budget seems to go to alternative generation... and there are threads on this...

There are times when the wind generators need to be feathered...and much has to do with our baseloads & most people want ing 100% reliable power... again, threads here have covered this...

Some of the reasons for lack of a parcel to be used for alternative energy production are optimization, some are the load lines (Saddle has horrible transmission line losses,.. due to the lack of HELCO to invest in the transmission upgrades that have been called for for over a decade...) again search the threads... none of this is new territory...

It is amazing how much people protest the different generation systems...but have yet to see the vast populace call for HELCO to improve their transmission lines, which would greatly increase their total efficiency & make some of the new generation non-essential...


Added;As to the stink, I noticed yesterday & today that the visible VOG levels were up...could that be a part of the stink?

[terracore]

You mean the mouse piss smell? I was told it was albizias.

[Greg]

There is NO profit to HELCO in fixing their transmission system. After all, they get paid for all the power they produce, including the power lost via this archaic technology. It doesn't matter which of the many energy alternatives are used; If it feeds the grid, it solidifys HELCO's stranglehold on the public.

The solution is to unhook, and change the law that prohibits individuals from transmitting power accross TMKs. Neighbours could cluster mini-grids or individual systems without the line loss associated with the expensive, antique, spiderweb used by power companies for the last 120 years.

HELCO gets $8000 a pole to expand their grid, and get paid for all the power lost in transmission. Why use modern technology?

[ericlp]

quote:

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Originally posted by Carey

but have yet to see the vast populace call for HELCO to improve their transmission lines, which would greatly increase their total efficiency & make some of the new generation non-essential...

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Interesting so, what percentage of power are the losing? When you say upgrading transmission lines is that going up to higher voltages?

No matter what you are still going to have transmission line loss. So if they are losing 10% of the power what would an upgrade do em? Maybe over all 3-4% gain?

[Bullwinkle]

requiring sub divisions to underground the utilities may go a long way in keeping the grid up. It seems at every windy day there are at least a few tree falls on power lines.

transmission losses a fact of life and in a cost plus model dont impact the bottom line

the best way to keep the utility honest is to buy a few shares of stock - and use that forum to educate your fellow investors - in this country at least - its all about bottom line - cash still does most of the talking..... the bs continues walking - grin

[kalakoa]

Locally-produced power (such as PV) doesn't incur transmission loss.

If every building with air conditioning and/or refrigeration were required to grid-tie enough PV to equal the draw from their compressors, much of the "peak" load (and its associated transmission loss) would disappear.

Like the old saying goes ... the power company is only interested in solar power if they can figure out where to stick the meter.