GBRA’s Power Generation Regiment To Support Peak Demand May Cause Streamflow Changes In Its Hydro System

The maximization of hydroelectric energy production on these days benefits the ERCOT electric and transmission grid along with GBRA and area electric customers…”

SEGUIN, Texas — Effective immediately, the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) is implementing a revised Guadalupe Valley Hydroelectric System power generation schedule for summer work days on which the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) predicts periods of “high” electric demand.

“This peak-generation schedule change will maximize the number of kilowatt hours of energy produced by our hydroelectric system during those high-demand periods, which generally last for about two hours. The maximization of hydroelectric energy production on these days benefits the ERCOT electric and transmission grid along with GBRA and area electric customers,” GBRA General Manager/CEO Kevin Patteson said.

“With this scheduling change during the two-hour, high-demand periods, lake users may notice a moderate increase in streamflow through the hydro system and a slight reduction in the elevation of the hydro lakes in Comal, Guadalupe and Gonzales counties,” explained Jeff McKee, deputy division manager for GBRA’s Hydroelectric and Rural Utilities, adding, “While the hydro lakes are not constant-level lakes, the increased flow will be phased in as GBRA increases generation during these periods.”

Experts predict that the first high-peak power day can come as soon as Thursday, June 15. GBRA officials urge lake users to always exercise caution while recreating on the area lakes or the Guadalupe River and to be aware of any changes in river conditions.

The GBRA was established by the Texas Legislature in 1933 as a water conservation and reclamation district. GBRA provides stewardship for the water resources in its 10-county statutory district, which begins near the headwaters of the Guadalupe and Blanco rivers, ends at San Antonio Bay, and includes Kendall, Comal, Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Gonzales, DeWitt, Victoria, Calhoun, and Refugio counties. To find out more about the GBRA visit them at http://www.gbra.org/.