California has committed to carbon-zero energy use by the end of 2045. That means completely ditching fossil fuels. But in order to do that, reliable alternative energy sources need to be established. That sets a demand for unprecedented growth in the state’s power grid. Energy experts estimate that it would need to triple in size in the next couple of decades.California Large-Scale Solar Association executive director Shannon Eddy said that keeping that pace is going to require many different clean energy sources. “Our future energy grid will be fed by solar, wind, both offshore wind and onshore wind, by geothermal, biomass, hydrogen is coming into play,” Eddy said.For California, solar power may hold the greatest promise. According to data gathered using Climate Central’s WeatherPower modeling tool, the state generated one-third of all of the solar produced in the entire United States in 2021.But a lot more will be needed to meet increasing demand.”Today there’s about 11,000 megawatts of rooftop solar operating. That needs to grow to 45,000 by 2045. And that’s on top of the 70,000 megawatts of utility-scale solar that we’re going to need in that same timeframe,” Eddy said.To put that in perspective, one megawatt of solar energy can power about 190 homes.Right now there are many utility-scale solar projects awaiting approval. So many, in fact, that not all of them are going to be needed. One important factor in ramping up clean energy production is the cost. According to a United Nations climate report, the cost of generating solar power has come down 85% since 2010.Dr. Eric Larson with Princeton’s Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment said that emissions and other climate policies over the last decade have helped to drive that price down.”Policy is going to continue to be important but less and less so over time because costs for solar panels has been coming down so dramatically,” Larson said. Larson developed the previously mentioned WeatherPower tool as a way to help the public understand the potential benefits of solar and wind power. He said that while the cost of generating the energy has come down, the cost of storing that energy is still very high. Storage will be key because, of course, solar power can only be generated while the sun is shining. Transmission lines are another big need. One that many worry will lead to fire hazards. But Shannon Eddy said that improved technologies and understanding will keep that risk low.More importantly, she said, upcoming solar projects need public support.”Legislators and regulators can pass laws and they can implement these things all we want, but if the public stops the projects we won’t make it,” she said.Right now, there is a big push to bring up to 25,000 megawatts of solar power online by the end of 2026. That’s when a Southern California nuclear power facility is scheduled to retire.
California has committed to carbon-zero energy use by the end of 2045. That means completely ditching fossil fuels.
But in order to do that, reliable alternative energy sources need to be established. That sets a demand for unprecedented growth in the state’s power grid. Energy experts estimate that it would need to triple in size in the next couple of decades.
California Large-Scale Solar Association executive director Shannon Eddy said that keeping that pace is going to require many different clean energy sources.
“Our future energy grid will be fed by solar, wind, both offshore wind and onshore wind, by geothermal, biomass, hydrogen is coming into play,” Eddy said.
For California, solar power may hold the greatest promise. According to data gathered using Climate Central’s WeatherPower modeling tool, the state generated one-third of all of the solar produced in the entire United States in 2021.
But a lot more will be needed to meet increasing demand.
“Today there’s about 11,000 megawatts of rooftop solar operating. That needs to grow to 45,000 by 2045. And that’s on top of the 70,000 megawatts of utility-scale solar that we’re going to need in that same timeframe,” Eddy said.
To put that in perspective, one megawatt of solar energy can power about 190 homes.
Right now there are many utility-scale solar projects awaiting approval. So many, in fact, that not all of them are going to be needed.
One important factor in ramping up clean energy production is the cost. According to a United Nations climate report, the cost of generating solar power has come down 85% since 2010.
Dr. Eric Larson with Princeton’s Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment said that emissions and other climate policies over the last decade have helped to drive that price down.
“Policy is going to continue to be important but less and less so over time because costs for solar panels has been coming down so dramatically,” Larson said.
Larson developed the previously mentioned WeatherPower tool as a way to help the public understand the potential benefits of solar and wind power. He said that while the cost of generating the energy has come down, the cost of storing that energy is still very high.
Storage will be key because, of course, solar power can only be generated while the sun is shining.
Transmission lines are another big need. One that many worry will lead to fire hazards. But Shannon Eddy said that improved technologies and understanding will keep that risk low.
More importantly, she said, upcoming solar projects need public support.
“Legislators and regulators can pass laws and they can implement these things all we want, but if the public stops the projects we won’t make it,” she said.
Right now, there is a big push to bring up to 25,000 megawatts of solar power online by the end of 2026. That’s when a Southern California nuclear power facility is scheduled to retire.
Read More:California climate goals require major growth for the power grid
2022-04-09 01:51:00
