PORT TOWNSEND — Ted Beatty of Energy Northwest will discuss reconciling “baseload” power generation with renewable-energy generation at the Jefferson County Energy Lunch program on Tuesday.
Baseload power-generating facilities are generally “always on,” producing fairly constant amounts of electricity to supply the needs of utility customers. Examples include coal plants, nuclear reactors, natural gas-fired turbines and Columbia River hydropower.
Tuesday’s event will be held at the Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler St., from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The brown-bag lunch talk is free and open to the public.
Beatty is vice president of energy/business services and has the responsibility for Energy Northwest’s resource development, operations and maintenance of its natural gas, wind, hydro and solar projects.
His talk will cover balancing energy sources, variable power rates and new energy-storage systems.
Headquartered near Richland, Energy Northwest provides electricity to public power utilities and municipalities. Its nuclear, hydroelectric, wind and solar projects deliver nearly 1,400 megawatts of electricity to the Northwest power grid.
Energy Northwest owns and operates the Northwest’s only commercial nuclear power plant, the Columbia Generating Station, in addition to Nine Canyon Wind Project, Packwood Lake Hydroelectric Project and White Bluffs Solar Station.
Beatty’s presentation is intended for residents, business leaders, government officials and energy professionals who are interested in assessing the impact and future of renewable-energy generation, both in Washington state and in Jefferson County.
Monthly Energy Lunch programs are held every third Tuesday and are aimed at increasing awareness of how energy, energy technology and energy policy affect life and business in Jefferson County.
Participants are welcome to bring lunch and arrive at noon to join an informal conversation with local energy professionals.
The programs are sponsored by Power Trip Energy Corp., Sunshine Propane, Huber’s Inn and the Alaska Power & Telephone Co., with the assistance of Local 20/20’s Energy Action Group and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
Videos of previous talks are posted at www.porttownsendmedia.com/energy.
