California had previously stipulated a target of attaining 100% zero-carbon electricity or power supply through renewable energy by 2045, and the state had temporarily approached its target several days ago, where the power generation through renewable energy fulfilled the demand for the first time.
California Independent System Operator (CAISO) pointed out that the primary grid of California maintained 99.97% of renewable energy utilization for approximately two minutes last Saturday (30th), which broke the record of 97.8% from April 3rd.
In addition, California also attained other green energy milestones, where power generation through renewable energy such as solar and wind power had exerted 100% before 3 p.m. last Saturday.
According to the information of CAISO, renewable power generation exceeded consumption demand for the first time between 2-5 p.m. last Saturday, where green power generation sat at 17,636MW, and the consumption demand was at 17,548MW. The remarkable achievement maintained for about an hour, where renewable power generation had surpassed power consumption by the greatest margin at 2:40 p.m. at more than 632MW. Demand eventually surpassed capacity at 5:05 p.m.
Mark Jacobson, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, pointed out that the 8 continuous hours operation of wind power, hydroelectricity, and solar power in Saturday had satisfied 80% of power demand in California.
California incorporated the target of 100% clean energy by 2045 during 2018. According to the CAISO, the temporarily approached target proves that there is indeed progress, despite a short duration.
With that being said, the consumption of power has always been lower during springtime, where the demand for heaters and air-conditioners is naturally low amidst the adequate level of temperature, and the longer insolation duration is also able to propel solar power generation. Frankly speaking, it is not easy to extricate from the dependency of fossil-fuels since California has to maintain lighting and air-conditioner during the scorching summertime. According to the information of the California Energy Commission (CEC), natural gas supplied 37% of energy for California in 2020, which was 33% more than renewable energy, where solar and wind power respectively accounted for 13% and 11%.
(Cover photo source: pixabay)