Agencies Zero In on SoCal Reliability

Expected energy supply strains this summer in Southern California was the focus of a joint agency hearing held May 8. The key concern is gas supply crimps, primarily because of the shutdown of four damaged pipelines that import gas into the region.

The capacity of the gas pipeline system is projected to be about 500 million cubic feet a day lower this summer than last summer. Specifically, capacity in the region is projected to be 2,655 MMcfd compared to the 3,185 MMcfd available last summer, according to an update by the California Energy Commission, Public Utilities Commission, and grid operator.

Joint agency staff will do their “best to maintain reliability,” including fully utilizing pipeline capacity, implementing mitigation measures and facilitating pipeline repairs, Dennis Peters with the California Independent System Operator said during a joint agency workshop that included the Los Angeles Department of Water.

CAISO and LADWP estimate that Southern California power plants’ minimum demand this summer will be 1,574 MMcfd, assuming a 10-year peak electricity demand day. However, this minimum generation requirement for gas is 326 MMcfd lower this summer because of power transmission upgrades.

Dennis noted that the agencies also were focused on minimizing gas injections at the SoCal Gas Aliso Canyon natural gas storage field, which had a months-long well blowout in 2015, with its use being phased out over 10 years.

Since then, SoCal Gas has been allowed only to re-inject up to 26 billion cubic feet, but the utility is seeking permission from the CPUC to increase that to 30 billion cubic feet to ensure supplies aren’t depleted by October.

“Without sufficient storage inventory in November, Southern California could see a repetition of last winter, with energy reliability hinging on the vagaries of the weather,” warns the agencies’ report.

Strategies to help avert supply shortages include: Importing 230 MMCfd of liquefied natural gas from Mexico to Otay Mesa; Granting SoCal Gas the authority to buy gas to fill unused pipeline capacity to prevent generators being curtailed when pipeline capacity is available; Monitoring the U.S. Department of Energy’s natural gas demand response pilot program to ensure California is included in any pilots; and, Directing utilities to launch smart meter gas demand pilot programs earlier this year. Also being explored to reduce power outages from electricity shortages is how to import more hydropower from the Pacific Northwest

Currently, the Bonneville Power Administration limits the dynamic transfer capability on the California-Oregon intertie to 400 MW, but the limit may be increased to 600 MW.

Increasing hydro imports “would be a game changer,” said Bob Weisenmiller, CEC chair.

Ensuring reliability in Los Angeles also is a growing concern because of the phase-out of the muni’s once through cooled power plants and 600 MW of coal imports, along with its goal of reaching a 100 percent renewable standard, said the LADWP’s Jason Rondou. Numerous transmission projects are in the works to help reliably accommodate the changes.

The muni is focusing much more on preferred resources to reliably meet demand, including growing its solar feed-in tariff and energy efficiency, as well as by a recent upgrade to the Castaic pumped storage facility. — Elizabeth McCarthy

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Agencies Zero In on SoCal Reliability

William J. Kelly

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