FAQ

The PUD is committed to helping customers implement the proposed solutions for energy demand and capacity in Stehekin. For example, the PUD provides energy efficiency advice and rebates for some energy efficiency upgrades to commercial or residential customers. However, the solutions implemented will require cost sharing with the customers, with more expensive solutions potentially impacting rates in Stehekin.

Adding 2,000 amps of new service would exceed the capacity of our existing power plant in Stehekin. Customers need to consider carefully before adding any new electrical loads to the system. The existing hydro system has very little room left for growth, and the community needs to make the most out of the limited power that is available.

It is the PUD's obligation to respond to and serve both existing and new demand in Stehekin. New services are also not the only contributor to increased demand - even increased power use in existing homes or businesses contributes to load growth. This could include increased use of electric space heaters, or installing an air conditioner in the home. Additionally, changes in customer behavior, such as shifting more energy intensive activities to peak demand hours, can also impact the demand on the system.

The PUD is charged with supporting growth and development by providing utility services, we are not in a position to manage the growth itself in our service territory. Given what we know about the limited capacity in Stehekin, PUD staff is reviewing all new applications for service – including pending applications and new services that have not fully come online – to clearly understand their potential impact to the electrical system before being processed. The PUD is also coordinating with Chelan County to ensure that the capacity issues in Stehekin are considered in their growth planning. Please see the PUD's recent comment letter for the County's Proposed Regulations for Short-term Rentals.

Customers can help reduce the demand in Stehekin in several ways:

• If you have not already, replace incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs
• Shift high-energy activities (like laundry) to night time when demand is typically lower
• Consider using your fireplace for winter heat instead of space heaters
• Reach out to the PUD Energy Efficiency Advisors for recommendations to reduce your energy use or rebates to upgrade your home
• Contact the PUD early if you are considering adding additional services in Stehekin

No, the existing hydropower turbine and the smaller 75 kW diesel generator (D2) are the only two generators that can be used routinely to provide power to the Stehekin community. The emergency generators (D4 and D1) are only to be used during emergencies, or when routine maintenance is being performed. Our air quality permit does not permit us to operate the emergency generators to meet additional load growth on our system.

The PUD is investigating battery energy storage systems for Stehekin that would run in parallel with the plant’s existing hydro and diesel generators. The proposed system would have the ability to provide up to 250 kW of additional capacity. The battery would be designed to provide additional power whenever the Stehekin loads exceeded the capacity of the hydro system, or if the hydro system is shut down for short periods for maintenance.

In order to store this energy for future use, the battery needs to recharge. It would recharge during times when the loads were lower than the hydropower generator output. Increased loads in the community could reduce the amount of time available for the battery to recharge. 

Installing a large solar array of approximately 200 kW near an open field, such as the airport, could help reduce the need to run the supplemental generator during the spring, summer and fall months. However, the solar photovoltaic system would not reduce winter, early morning or late evening peak loads.

Energy efficiency and shifting the time of day that certain kinds of equipment operate is the least costly way to get the most out of our existing generation system. Any solutions will require cost sharing with the customers, and these more expensive solutions could impact rates in Stehekin. 

Chelan PUD coordinates with agencies such as Chelan County and the National Park Service to discuss the existing constraints on the grid in Stehekin, and to implement technical and policy solutions in Stehekin.

For example, the PUD is not charged with community growth planning. Chelan County has the authority to manage growth and development, and the PUD submits comments and recommendations for plans such as the Comprehensive Plan or the County's Proposed Regulations for Short-Term Rentals.

The PUD is also working closely with the National Park Service to provide recommendations for energy conservation at their existing and future planned facilities in Stehekin.

In August 2020, Stehekin customers experienced a series of power outages during peak usage hours. PUD engineers investigated the outages, were able to identify the issue and make changes that should improve reliability.

Typically, electrical loads are distributed via three wires (called phases), and load is relatively balanced between the three. As new services were connected in Stehekin, or even when additional appliances/equipment were hooked up in your homes, one of the three phases that distributes power in the Stehekin Valley became overloaded, resulting in power outages during peak demand times of the day. PUD engineers were able to shift some loads to better balance out the three phases. In the near-term, this solution should improve reliability on our distribution system.
 
However, peak energy demand in Stehekin continues to strain the capacity of our generation, and without addressing the capacity issues there will likely be reliability issues in the future.