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California Achieves Milestone with 61% of Retail Electricity Sales from Non-Fossil-Fuel Sources

by Krystal

In a significant milestone, non-fossil-fuel sources now constitute 61 percent of retail electricity sales in California, owing to substantial investment leading to rapid development in clean energy generation, as per the latest data compiled by the California Energy Commission (CEC). Sources eligible under the Renewables Portfolio Standard, such as solar and wind, account for 39 percent of the state’s power mix, representing a 2 percent increase compared to the previous year, while large hydro and nuclear collectively contribute 22 percent.

CEC Chair David Hochschild remarked, “Nearly every week, new clean energy projects are being added to the grid, moving us closer and closer to our goal of a clean, affordable, and reliable energy system in California.” Ahead of National Infrastructure Week, the CEC and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) are spotlighting the state’s progress in building the clean energy grid of the future.

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Since 2020, new energy projects statewide have brought over 16,000 MW of new energy resources online, predominantly solar and battery storage. Last month, Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the state’s achievement in exceeding 10,000 MW of storage resources. To sustain this progress, the CPUC has mandated the deployment of 18,800 MW of new clean resources by 2028.

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CEC Vice Chair Siva Gunda commended the collective efforts that have propelled California’s clean energy initiatives forward, stating, “Your tireless work is helping us march forward toward a more sustainable future.”

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Significance: California is undergoing the most extensive transformation of its power grid in a century, marked by a continuous rise in renewables and a decline in fossil fuel usage, amid an onslaught of climate impacts ranging from heatwaves to droughts and wildfires.

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Investment Focus: The CEC has directed recent infrastructure investments towards advancing clean energy storage technologies. Expanding energy storage is a crucial element of Governor Newsom’s energy roadmap, aiding in the maintenance of a clean and reliable power grid by storing energy from renewable sources like solar for use during periods of low generation.

While most existing battery energy storage systems discharge to the grid for up to four hours, the CEC is investing in projects aimed at longer discharge durations. Notable grants include:

$30 million for a company to establish a demonstration project for a 100-hour iron-air battery storage system at a PG&E substation in Mendocino County.

Substantial funding for long-duration storage projects for tribes, including the Paskenta Tribe of Nomlaki Indians in Tehema County and the Viejas Tribe of Kumeyaay Indians.

With investments from the state budget and the Biden-Harris administration, California has allocated $41 billion towards building a 100 percent clean electric grid, enhancing water resiliency, boosting water supply, and modernizing the transportation system. For further information on ongoing projects across the state, visit Building California’s Future.

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