LCRA begins emergency hydroelectric generation

This is a great example of the benefits of hydroelectric storage providing reactive support to a system needing emergency power.

LCRA begins emergency hydroelectric generation For Immediate Release: February 02, 2011 11:30 AM

With the bitterly cold temperatures across Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas today has declared an emergency electrical alert and required LCRA to provide emergency hydroelectric power over the next three days. LCRA will operate its hydroelectric facilities at all six dams on the Highland Lakes over the next three days. The water released from the dams for emergency hydroelectric generation will raise the level of Lake Austin, which is in the middle of a planned drawdown to help control nuisance plants and allow lakeside residents to build and maintain boat ramps, retaining walls, docks, and perform minor dredging. “One of the great benefits LCRA provides our region is the ability to generate electricity quickly in an emergency,” said LCRA General Manager Tom Mason. “The hydroelectric units at our dams can respond in a hurry to a weather event like Texas is experiencing today.” LCRA is looking for downstream customers to use or store the water released for generation. Any water that can’t be beneficially used will be stored in Lake Austin. Currently, Lake Austin is 12 feet below its normal level because of the drawdown, but it could rise as much as a foot and a half per day over the next three days because of hydroelectric operations. In addition to the rising lake levels, the rate of water flowing into the upper end of Lake Austin will be higher than normal. The flow from Buchanan Dam into Inks Lake also will be higher than normal because of emergency power generation. Like Lake Austin, Inks Lake is in the middle of a planned drawdown, but levels there aren’t expected to rise appreciably. LCRA and the City of Austin urge lakeside residents to be aware of the higher lake levels and take necessary precautions. Lakeside residents should pay special attention to lake levels and weather forecasts when performing work, and remove equipment and tools from the shoreline when not in use. "We want residents who live downstream of our dams to be aware of the conditions and know that there will be swift currents along the river due to these hydroelectric generating operations," said LCRA Manager of River Management Services Mark Jordan. "We also want people to realize that when severe weather hits the region, these unscheduled hydroelectric operations can become common."

LCRA begins emergency hydroelectric generation