Heat wave leaves questions about Redondo power plant
by Garth Meyer As the heat wave lifted from Redondo Beach in recent days, questions remained about the city’s waterfront power plant, still active for situations such as this. The AES generator contributed to the state grid during the surge in demand, though it was limited due to mechanical problems. The heat wave arrived just after plant owner Leo Pustilnikov filed a preliminary proposal to develop the 54-acre site once it is decommissioned. If and when that is. The date is currently set for December 2023, though doubts have increased that it will stand. The California Independent System Operator (ISO), which runs the state’s electric grid, made an order two weeks ago: every generator available in California needed to start up and be running by Sept. 5, because of record-high temperatures and record-high electricity demand. That meant the AES in Redondo Beach was called on at major capacity. “As an older generator, the Redondo Beach units are not used as often as newer, more efficient generators, but it is a critical resource to help meet the demand for electricity during heat waves like we just experienced,” said Anne F. Gonzalez, senior public information officer for California…
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