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Where Does Pasadena Electricity Come From
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Since 1998, our power has come from the California Independent System Operators (ISO) which manages the flow of electricity across the high-voltage, long-distance power lines that make up 80 percent of California's power grid. This nonprofit public benefit corporation safeguards the economy and well-being of the residents of California. As the impartial grid operator, the ISO opens access to the wholesale power market that is designed to diversify resources and lower prices. Every five minutes the ISO forecasts electrical demand, accounts for operating reserves and dispatches the lowest cost power plant unit to meet demand while ensuring enough transmission capacity is available to deliver the power. Click on the link below to see the current
Current Demand for Electricity
Get an at-a-glance view of supply and demand, renewable energy production, emergency notifications and requests for energy conservation. These displays are provided for information only and do not represent real-time system operating conditions.
Current Cost for Electricity
Get an at-a-glance view of where our electricity is coming from and the cost. This includes routing centers and generating sources. Look for BRDWAYB3_7_B1, GLNARMC1_7_B1, GLNARMC2_7_B1, GLNARMC3_7_B1, or GLNARMC4_7_B1. These are the Pnodes for the generators in Pasadena. If you see DIABLO1_7_B1 or DIABLO2_7_B1 these are the Pnodes for Diablo Canyon nuclear reactors unit 1 and 2. Note: Works best with Internet Explorer.
Spreadsheet containing all power sources in the ISO
This spreadsheet contains all power generating sources. Looking at the GEN_RES tab you can find 'PASA' and see the names of each of the generators. Use this as a reference to find what is active at the Pasadena Water and Power facility on Glen Arm.
Pasadena Water and Power Glen Arm Power Plant
The Pasadena Water and Power Glen Arm power plant participates as a CISO provider. The Pasadena Water and Power Glen Arm power plant has two different types of systems.
1. The Steam Turbine System (B-1, B-2, B-3) was built in 1964 and uses natural gas (1) to create heat (2) which turns water into steam (3). The steam gets to about 180 degrees before it turns a turbine (4) and the turbine spins the generator (5), creating electricity (6). The steam is then condensed by cool water drawn from the large cooling tower. This cooling water, which is kept inside the tubes, is returned to its source without any contamination. The steam water stays in its own closed system and is returned to the boiler to start the process again. Items 7 & 8 are the second closed water system for the condenser at Item 9. This is a large open cooling tower that is four stories high. You can see the water running down and into a big pool at the bottom. The maximum temperature of this system is about 90 degrees.
This system generates 20 megawatts of power, which can power most of the city. What is also impressive is the amount of electric field you can feel coming off of the generator. It makes your whole body shake with a sensation that is very hard to describe and very hard to withstand for an extended period of time.
2. The other technology at the Pasadena Water and Power Glen Arm power plant is the Combustion Turbine. The system ( GT-1 and GT-2) was built in 1970, but not operational due to a fire in May of 2010 (click here for more). There are also two systems built in 2000 (GT-3 and GT-4) that are currently operational. In the 2000 model, they use an actual 747 turbine engine to directly drive the generator.
The problem with the above turbine engine system is the wasted heat coming off of the turbine. This leads to another system that is not currently at the Pasadena Water and Power Glen Arm power plat. It is called a Combined Combustion Steam Turbine System. This combines the above two systems into an even more efficient solution. Cal Tech is doing research on a new system where they have more than one Steam Turbine system to take as much advantage of the heat being generated from the turbine engine. The final exhaust output is about 80 to 90 degrees which is quite impressive.
The Glen Arm plant produces around 13,000 volts on each of these systems. This is then "bumped-up" to produce around 45,000 volts before it leaves the power plant. This allows for more efficient transmission of the power around the city. This is because we use AC. If it was DC then it would be the other way around.
The Glenarm repowering project will remove B-3 steam generator with a new combined-cycle 71 MW (gross) power generating Unit GT-5. Unit GT-5 would include a new gas turbine, steam turbine, once-through steam generator, wet-type cooling tower, water storage tanks, electric fuel gas compressors, an electric air compressor, and a 125-foot-tall stack, similar to existing Units GT-1 through GT-4. Completion is expected by 2014. See satellite view here.
Problems cast shadows of doubt on solar project
The unexpected deaths of kit foxes and discovery of ancient human settlements threaten to delay or even cancel a $1-billion, 250-megawatt installation on federal land in the desert near Blythe.(2/22/2012). Courtesy of the Los Angeles Times.
Wind Power in Southern California
Edison is currently working on transmission lines that will provide the capacity to deliver 4,500 megawatts of clean renewable energy from wind and solar generators in Kern County to the Los Angeles basin, enough to power about 3 million homes, according to SCE officials.(4/12/2012). Courtesy of the Pasadena Star News.
Pasadena Water and Power Rebate Programs
Find out the most current rebates available.
Glenarm Repowering Project
In 2009, the City of Pasadena adopted the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), a blueprint for the Pasadena Department of Water and Power (PWP) to ensure reliable, environmentally responsible electricity service, competitive rates, and energy independence through 2030. A key feature of the IRP is the replacement of inefficient local generating units at PWP’s Power Plant.
Power plant turbine explodes in Pasadena, no injuries reported
On Tuesday, October 16th, 2012 at 10:18am a turbine at the Glenarm Power Plant burst into flames sending smoke at least 65 feet into the air. The fire, the second of its kind at the plant in the last few years, was contained within the turbine's large metal enclosure as it was being turned on. The unit down is GT-2. Another article courtesy of the Pasadena Star News.
In the News
DWP GT-5 installation
In December 2016, Pasadena Water and Power completed the Glenarm Repowering Project, an extensive power plant upgrade that includes the replacement of a 51year old steam generating unit, Broadway 3 with a more efficient combined cycle turbine unit known as Gas Turbine 5 (GT-5). Now fully operational, GT-5 provides Pasadena with 71 MW (approximately net 68 MW) of clean, natural-gas fueled power that is the most efficient and environmentally “clean” unit in its class. (12/30/2017). More here.
DWP overcharged Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank by $6 million
The City Council approved a total of $6.3 million in settlements with the cities of Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena for overcharges that stretch back to 1998. (6/4/2014). Courtesy of the Pasadena Star News.
Electricity in Pasadena to increase over 15% by 2016
Rates for average users will rise by about 8.3 percent on July 1, comprised of a 2.7 percent council-approved jump and 5.6 percent “pass through” increase that doesn’t require council approval. Users will be hit with a 2.4 percent increase in 2015 and 2.2 percent hike in 2016. (6/3/2014). Courtesy of the Pasadena Star News.
Pasadena Council approves final Glenarm Repowering Project contract
The $55.6 million contract with ARB Inc. is for demolition, design and construction of the project, which will build a new, more efficient generator at the power plant to replace the 50-year-old GT-5 steam generator. (6/3/2014). Courtesy of the Pasadena Star News.
Pasadena approves management contract for $132 million re-powering project
The multi-million dollar revamp of the city’s Glenarm Power Plant took another step toward breaking ground Monday with the City Council’s approval of a $3.3 million contract for project management. (11/21/13) Courtesy of the Pasadena Star News.
First Solar Signs 20-Year Power Purchase Agreements with Pasadena
First Solar said in a statement that Pasadena has reached its goal of obtaining 40 percent of its power from Category 1 renewable energy with the city’s 20 megawatt (MW)AC Public Power Agreement (PAA). (11/12/13) Courtesy of Pasadena Now.
Pasadena electric workers say system is aging, understaffed
Electrical workers asked the City Council this week to allocate more resources to what they say is an understaffed department working on an aging and dangerous system. Pasadena Water and Power workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 18 union, accused the city of not hiring staff members to replace retirees, using contractors instead of training new employees and failing to replace old infrastructure. (5/17/13) Courtesy of the Pasadena Star News.
Pasadena City Council takes next step to upgrade Glenarm Power Plant
Pasadena City Council approved the Environmental Impact Report for the Glenarm Power Plant Repowering Project on Monday night, opening the way for a plan to replace the old steam-generating equipment with a $115.6-million environmentally friendly natural gas system. The project, described by officials as a state-of-the-art, 71-megawatt natural-gas-powered generator with the best available air pollution control systems, is expected to be in operation by the end of 2015. (4/9/13) Courtesy of the Pasadena Star News.
Power plant turbine explodes in Pasadena, no injuries reported
On Tuesday, October 16th, 2012 at 10:18am a turbine at the Glenarm Power Plant burst into flames sending smoke at least 65 feet into the air. The fire, the second of its kind at the plant in the last few years, was contained within the turbine's large metal enclosure as it was being turned on. The unit down is GT-2. (10/12/12) Courtesy of the Pasadena City Website. Another article courtesy of the Pasadena Star News.
See also:
Clean Water Tax
Hahamongna Watershed Park
Where does Pasadena Water Come From