For the primary time ever, California, the world’s fifth-largest financial system, was powered by 100% clear energy on Saturday, April 30. That milestone was pushed largely by solar power.
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California’s 100% clear energy milestone
Energy demand statewide reached 18,672 megawatts at 2:45 pm, with 37,172 MW accessible. (Excess is exported to neighboring states.) 101% of the power supplied got here from clear energy, in response to a steady tracker supplied by California Independent System Operator (CAISO), a nonprofit that oversees the operation of the state’s bulk electrical power system, transmission traces, and electrical energy market generated and transmitted by its member utilities.
Desert Sun notes that solar dominated the combo:
Two thirds of the 18,000 megawatts wanted was supplied by solar power loaded into the energy grid — or 12,391 megawatts. The relaxation got here from wind, geothermal, and different renewable sources. The milestone lasted nearly quarter-hour earlier than edging again all the way down to about 97% renewables.
Environment California state director Laura Deehan mentioned in an emailed assertion:
California has proven that, for one temporary and shining second, we may do it! Now we have to get our state operating on 100% clear energy for the entire day, the entire week, and the entire yr. It’s time to maneuver to 100% clear energy, 100% of the time.
California has a mandated clear energy goal of 100% clear electrical energy by 2045.
Electrek’s Take
In 2020, California surpassed 81% clear energy, so Saturday’s milestone demonstrates that the state is making progress.
Hydropower is changing into much less dependable as a result of extreme drought scenario within the West, and California is shutting down its Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant by 2025.
California is in fact nonetheless operating pure gasoline crops, and as Canary Media identified right this moment, it nonetheless burned sufficient gasoline to fulfill about 15% of demand whereas it had sufficient non-hydro clear energy manufacturing to fulfill 97% of demand. The extra pure gasoline was exported to different states.
Saturday’s milestone is value celebrating, however California nonetheless has plenty of work to do to run on 100% clear energy year-round. Doesn’t everybody?
Read extra: Here’s how a brand new US protectionist transfer is backfiring badly on the US solar business [update]
Photo: “Solar on Palm Desert Walmart” by Walmart Corporate is licensed beneath CC BY 2.0
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