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Basic Problems with HSR/Interstate Railway System

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Texas has more wind generated electric energy than any other state.  It has doubled in the last two years, and the plans call for it to double again in the next two years.  However, for every megawatt of wind power Texas power generators produce they need a megawatt of standby convention power generation, or they need interruptible contracts with their major users in case the wind fails.  And it does! Last February the wind unexpectedly stopped blowing in those areas of Texas where most of the wind farms are located.  At the same time several of the major generators had some of their units off-line for overhaul.  As a result the system operator had to scramble to find enough power to prevent a system shutdown.  It was close.  The only thing that prevented a crash was an agreement by several major users to shut down for a day or so.  They were probably not happy.  California's electric utilities will need to expand their system capacity to provide the juice needed by the California High Speed Rail Project.  This should result in an interesting battle between the utilities and the environmentalists.  They have fought every plan to expand California's electric grid for as long as I can remember.  As a result California has to import a significant amount of peaking power from Arizona and New Mexico.  Needless to say, the Arizona and New Mexico power companies charge a pretty penny for it.  Apparently the cost to expand California's electric grid to meet the needs of the high speed rail project has not been factored into the estimated cost of the project.  Makes me wonder what other costs have been overlooked.
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