Generator_Spring 2023_Final

A calculated risk.
That might be the best way to
describe what happens inside the
Columbus Powerhouse every day.
Because even though the Plant
Operators are constantly monitoring
the water levels in the canal, the river,
and the lakes, there’s no way to know
for certain what the energy market
and Mother Nature will do.
“We need to generate at peak levels
when the pricing is best,” said Plant
Operator Craig Baxa.
But how exactly do Loup’s Plant
Operators accomplish this task?
At the beginning of each 12-hour
shift, the incoming plant operator
gets a rundown of what happened
overnight or during the day including
8 | GENERATOR
storm reports and power outages.
The operator then checks water
level gauges on several rivers, including
the Middle Loup and North Loup
near St. Paul. He also checks in with
employees at the Genoa Headworks
to see what the river looks like at the
canal intake.
The operators receive a six-day
energy outlook every day. These forecasts
are based on historical demand
as well as factors like temperature,
wind speed, and precipitation.
That forecast estimates the wholesale
market price per megawatt hour
every hour for those six days based on
expected generation and demand.
“Having the information of the
upstream water flows paired with the
information of the day-ahead pricing
forecast allows us to start preparing a
generation plan,” Baxa said.
That pricing forecast updates each
morning for the next six days. This
allows operators time to ensure that
regulating reservoirs Lake North and
Lake Babcock are full so they can
generate at a higher level when prices
are high.
After the operator decides how
much electricity Loup will generate
each hour for the next day, it is
bid into the Southwest Power Pool’s
wholesale energy market.
Nebraska Public Power District,
Loup’s wholesale energy provider,
provides this service out of its
Doniphan Control Center.