California Electricity Market Options for 2001: Military Generation and Private Backup Possibilities
Abstract
Since May of 2000, California's restructured electricity market has experienced rapidly rising prices and uncertain reliability. These problems led to widespread disruptions in service (referred to as blackouts) during the winter of 2000 and into spring this year. In response to these problems, the state has taken initial steps to increase electricity supplies such as by streamlining the process of adding new power plants and reduce demand through conservation. The California Independent System Operator (the agency in charge of balancing electricity supply with demand) expects high prices and reliability disruptions to continue, and perhaps worsen, in the summer of 2001. In light of these concerns, you asked us to (1) describe the condition of California's electricity market, including changes in demand, supply, and prices; (2) determine the extent to which the Department of Defense (DOD) can help enhance western electricity supplies during the summer of 2001; and (3) discuss available private backup generation resources and any benefits and problems associated with their deployment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 29, 2001
- Accession Number
- AD1178787
Entities
People
- Christine Frye
- Frank Rusco
- Jim Wells
- Jon Ludwigson
- Randy Jones