California should not count on imports in low hydro year: ISO official

摘要

While plentiful hydro-electric power supplies have put the CaliforniaIndependent System Operator in a good position to meet demand thissummer, modeling shows supplies in the West are getting so tight thestate could be in trouble if hydro output falls in future years, accordingto a grid operator official.Even though the ISO’s Western Energy Imbalance Market isexpanding its reach across the region, California cannot necessarilycontinue to rely on imports from its neighbors during heat waves thatimpact the broader region.Surplus energy in the West is tightening because of coal-firedplant retirements, as well as load growth and renewable integrationin other regions of the West, Keith Casey, vice president of marketand infrastructure development, told the ISO's board of governorslate Wednesday.