Solar Passes 100% of Power Demand in California!

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California has been a pacesetter in putting in solar energy vegetation and wind energy vegetation for years now (regardless of the current anti-rooftop photo voltaic shift by “Net Metering 3.0”). That led to extra of its electrical energy coming from renewables. The development has been occurring for years, however there are some current developments that ought to actually get individuals’s consideration.

Record Solar Power in California Passes 100% of Power Demand

For 56 days in a row, electrical energy from photo voltaic, wind, and water (hydro) energy exceeded 100% of California’s important grid electrical energy demand through the day. Also, in return, which reached 80 within the final 86 days. That’s since early March (International Women’s Day), late winter.

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Repetition makes a speculation a principle.

The principle right here is that we are able to constantly and higher provide clear, renewable vitality to the California grid.

For 54 consecutive days and 78 out of 84, #WindWaterSolar provide exceeds 100% of demand every day. pic.twitter.com/nZxCeE8qCG

— Mark Z. Jacobson (@mzjacobson) May 30, 2024

As a part of that, solar energy lately hit report output, and it really exceeded 100% of energy demand for some time.

As you’ll be able to see above, at its peak, solar energy supplied 102.1% of California’s electrical energy wants. Together, wind, water, and photo voltaic improve 134% of electrical energy demand!

Clearly, California’s development in renewables is proving pro-renewable advocates proper. But what concerning the notorious “duck curve?”…

California Solves the Duck Curve Quickly

The greatest information is that California appears to be rapidly slicing the duck curve right down to dimension. The duck curve mainly comes right down to this: “In some vitality markets, every day peak demand happens after sundown, when solar energy is off. In places the place massive quantities of solar energy are put in quantity of photo voltaic electrical capability, the quantity of energy that have to be obtained from sources aside from photo voltaic or wind exhibits a speedy improve round sundown and peaks in the midst of the night time hours, which creates a graph that resembles the silhouette of a duck.”

The answer for the duck curve is evident: vitality conservation. Store the bursts of photo voltaic vitality produced in the midst of the day and use it slowly at night time because the solar units and electrical energy demand rises. The excellent news is that California is bettering on this in a short time! Look on the graph beneath of electrical energy technology from pure fuel and observe the road for 2023 versus the road for 2024.

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stage 2)
Solar+wind+battery replaces as much as ~90% of fossil electrical energy

Batteries mainly clear up downside 1), 2) and three) for you: that is large!

They can flatten the “Duck curve” to a razor blade and it is beginning in California:https://t.co/Va66S1WFqD pic.twitter.com/L33ZA9Jk3i

— AukeHoekstra (@AukeHoekstra) May 25, 2024

Here’s one other one which exhibits the battery being despatched to the grid:

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Interesting evaluation of the more and more vital function batteries are enjoying in California’s grid. They proceed to eat fossil fuel. https://t.co/76AijwBAGr

– David Roberts (@drvolts) May 23, 2024

In reality — batteries handle and clear up California’s duck curve disaster.

It made me consider the last decade lengthy debate over web metering and the way a lot the duck curve has been used as an excuse to chop incentives for rooftop solar energy. Seeing how rapidly the duck curve subject was resolved, one has to surprise how disingenuous a few of the anti-rooftop photo voltaic arguments are. …

The Critique of California’s Electricity Prices

Some individuals wish to counter any optimistic information about renewable vitality development in California by elevating California’s comparatively excessive electrical energy costs. It doesn’t come from renewables. In reality, analysis has repeatedly proven that renewable vitality driving down electrical energy worth. There are different elements that lead to excessive electrical energy costs in California. Mark Z. Jacobson summarizes (rewording textual content to spell phrases):

“Electricity costs are excessive in California as a result of California has the third highest fossil fuel costs within the US; and utilities handed on to prospects the price of the San Bruno+Aliso Canyon fuel disasters, retrofitting fuel traces, fires from transmission sparks, undergrounding traces, and protecting Diablo Canyon open nuclear.”

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Electricity costs are excessive in CA b/c CA has the third highest fossil fuel costs within the US; & utilities handed on to prospects for San Bruno+Aliso Canyon fuel catastrophe, retrofitting fuel pipes, wildfires from transmission sparks, undergrounding traces, and the DC nuclear open https://t.co/0Il7fmosw9

— Mark Z. Jacobson (@mzjacobson) June 1, 2024

California’s Renewable Energy Leads the Way

The general story is that renewable vitality in California continues to cleared the path. Solar energy now peaks at greater than 100% of electrical energy demand, renewables as a complete peak at 134% of electrical energy demand, the duck curve has been shaved right down to mainly no duck curve (however you’ll be able to name the battery cost/discharge curve a duck curve), and your entire state (and world) advantages.

Be ready for extra data within the coming days. The summer time solstice is just a few weeks away.