504 



2195 N.t, Hwy iO, Corvallls OR 97330 

 (5031752 2139 



Representative Peter DeFazio 

 BPA Task Fwce 

 U.S. House of Representatives 

 1324 Longworth RO.B. 

 Washington, D.C. 20515-6201 



Dear Peter. 



I would like this letter included in the ncotd of the hearing on BPA held in Portland on July 12, 

 1993. 1 would also ask that a further testimony be considered for your next hearing. 



The BPA's analysis of alternative energy sources, like that of most utilities, fails to take account of 

 advances in modem electronics that affect the nature of the load and the ability of alternative systems to 

 power present and future loads. Thus, BPA plans to spend more than is necessary to condition 

 conventional power generating systems to accommodate modem electronics, plans to make inefficient 

 use of alternative solar and wind generating systems that could be much better adapted to power the 

 critical fraction of these loads, and does not plan to provide back up power in the case of grid power 

 failures for the fraction of the load which most affects public health, safety and well being. 



The BPA, like most utilities, assumes that the general electric power system must consist of one 

 grid carrying alternating current, AC, at high voltage. The reason for this assumption is historical. High 

 voltages reduce transmission losses when power is transmitted long distances frtxn large generator to the 

 load. Transformers have long been able to convert very high voltage AC power to the 120 V AC that is 

 now the standard delivered to customers. Also, previously the most efficient and practical electric motors 

 and generators have been AC devices. It used to be that DC generators and motors required brushes, 

 which won out rapidly. Thus, high voltage AC used to be the most practical way to generate, to 

 distribute, and to consume electric power. 



However, devel(q)ments in modem solid state electronics have changed the historical reality. In 

 particular, ooodem transistors make practical direct current, DC, generators and motors that do not 

 require'brushes. We also now have very efficient transistorized circuits that can transform DC power 

 from one voltage to another. Hnally, a rapidly expanding fraction of modem devices, Le., the load, 

 require low voltage DC power to operate. These include: 



Transistorized electronics (S volts soon to be 3 volts standard) 



Flat panel displays (liquid crystal displays), e.g. HDTV 



Light emitting diodes 



SoUd state lasers 



Cathodic protection systems against coirosion 



Vidicons 



Burglar alarms, security systems 



Battery chargers 



Fluorescent lights (DC devices that can be c^ierated from low voltage sources) 



DC motors 



