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In the US, hallmark of free enterprise competition, the grid is an absolute mess.  And it's not coherently planned and managed simply because it's become so cannabalized.  30 years of market deregulation has allowed the grid to deteriorate to the point where it now demands huge new investment, and worse, from a security standpoint, is at the breaking point..

Deciding where the most efficient new and rebuilt lines and substations, as well as who's going to pay, hasn't been managed well by the current state of affairs.  for example, excellent wind projects in California have been waiting for over a decade! for transmission issues to be resolved.

The grid, as a social necessity, needs to be managed centrally, with efficiency as the ultimate criteria.  With appropriate oversight regulation of course.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Mon May 25th, 2009 at 09:21:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]
The grid, as a social necessity, needs to be managed centrally, with efficiency as the ultimate criteria.
At least the backbone of the grid, the main lines.

There is a reasonable argument if the finer mesh of the grid is better managed by smaller and more nimble companies, and reasonable people can disagree over that. It's is probably heavily dependent on local characteristics.

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.

by Starvid (arvid.hallen at gmail.com) on Mon May 25th, 2009 at 09:26:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Yes, i'm only referring to the HV transmission grid over large areas, even nations, including inter-market trading.  the distribution grid is likely best managed by local nimble entities who are not competing.

As J pointed out before, it was the incompetence, not the government or the system, hindered by the quarterly profit motive.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Mon May 25th, 2009 at 09:41:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I'm all in favour of competition, provided it includes competition on quality, and not just cost.

"Any economic unit can emit money. The serious problem is to get it accepted" Hyman Minsky
by ChrisCook (cojockathotmaildotcom) on Mon May 25th, 2009 at 03:02:00 PM EST
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