A Crisis in Energy in California
In California, where I was raised, September is frequently the hottest month. Everyone finds it uncomfortable. The timing of the high school football team’s preseason practice as the temperature rises has always struck me as unusual. But in California, the heat wave and the start of school coincide.
Beginning in September, California is already sweltering as usual. California’s electrical infrastructure is put under a great deal of stress by the heat as everyone switches on their air conditioners to be at least somewhat comfortable.
In California, CAISO is the main electric distributor. The Independent Systems Operator of California: Their responsibility is to make sure that everyone has access to power, but this year, that’s a really challenging challenge. There was only one day over the 23 years that CAISO monitored when peak power consumption exceeded 50 megawatt hours. Due to the rising demand, it occurs every day at the moment.
With today’s requirements expected to be greater than 51 Mega Watts and CASIO reporting a total system capacity of 57+ Mega Watts, there isn’t much room for error.
I therefore believed that now would be a great opportunity to observe how California handles its heat wave. California is arguably the most progressive state in the union, having taken the lead in the shift to cleaner energy sources. This is precisely the kind of energy grid that Vice President Biden keeps advocating.
Every day, CAISO offers a thorough analysis of their energy sources,displaying some surprising findings.
Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are the natural energy heroes as the day gets started. The Biden/California narrative works well with renewable energy. Renewable energy supplies more than 30% of the state’s energy needs after sunrise and before noon, which is no small feat. But as we’ll see, there are certain restrictions attached.
After midday, things really get going, and natural gas—the actual star of the show—takes over as the leading source of electricity. Whatever the rhetoric, it is clear that California today relies on natural gas generation for power. The remainder of the day and night’s energy needs in Cali are met by this.
Things start to alter once more as the sun sets over the Pacific. The sun sets on all things sun-related around dusk. The solar panels are turned off till tomorrow morning, but the windmills are still in operation. And those renewable energy sources that performed so admirably in the morning drop to a level of production that is just a fifth of what it was initially.
Batteries that have been charging throughout the day start to operate. Batteries then provide around a tenth of the evening’s electricity for the following four hours. or roughly half the level of more established coal and nuclear power plants. Naturally, nuclear and coal power sources operate continuously, whereas batteries have a maximum runtime of about 4 to 6 hours.
Then something extremely strange occurs. Late at night, it is evident, yet as I review the charts, it has consistently been present and available 24 hours a day. Every day, California “imports,” that is, travels outside its borders to buy electricity from other states and providers. Late at night, almost a quarter of California’s electricity is imported. Thank you, Colorado, Nevada, and other far-off states, for keeping the lights on in California.
Therefore, it becomes obvious that natural gas is California’s power hero once I step back and consider the state’s overall power landscape. Nat/Gas effortlessly meets more than half of California’s electricity needs.
The renewable energy sources—wind and solar—emerge at dawn, but like a Hollywood diva, they disappear when the curtain is drawn. Very little comes from renewables at night.
And at night, the truth of California’s power emerges from the shadows. The second largest source of electricity at night in this incredibly environmentally friendly state is imports from across the border. We’re not entirely sure where they’re from. Could nuclear power be the source? Or even coal? It is very possible, given the presence of these power plants in a few nearby states.
I had pleasant memories of living in California in the past. It is a state with beautiful people and abundant resources that are immensely diversified.
It has been referred to as the dreamers’ paradise. It appears to lack discipline, though. Along with dreamers, the world also needs someone to “switch on the lights.”
Very little comes from renewables at night.
And at night, the truth of California’s power emerges from the shadows. The second largest source of electricity at night in this incredibly environmentally friendly state is imports from across the border. We’re not entirely sure where they’re from. Could nuclear power be the source? Or even coal? It is very possible, given the presence of these power plants in a few nearby states.
I had pleasant memories of living in California in the past. It is a state with beautiful people and abundant resources that are immensely diversified.
It has been referred to as the dreamers’ paradise. It appears to lack discipline, though. Along with dreamers, the world also needs someone to “switch on the lights.”
I think CAISO publishes this image for public consumption. They anticipate that some of the Sacramento leadership will demonstrate effective management and financial skills necessary to get out of this crisis.
Anyone can complete the exercise we just did, and it will get the same results.
Business News
Energy continues to be the most important economic issue in the world, with even Cern, the massive Hadron Collider, discussing shutting down until the energy crisis is resolved. In contrast, Norway’s largest energy provider predicts a $1.5 trillion increase in energy expenses this year.
China reported that its trade balance for August was down 20% from the previous month over night.
I think the last COVID outbreak-related lockdown was the cause of this. Moreover, from a slowdown in US imports,
It’s interesting how Chinese exports have evolved into a skewed indicator of the US economy as the interest rate for a 30-year mortgage gets closer and closer to the 6% mark.
The US will then release the figures for our trade balance later this morning. As we observe less business activity on both sides of the Pacific, we anticipate a downturn along with the Chinese.
Copart reports, Casey’s General Stores, used vehicle auctions, earnings reports, and everyone’s favorite trading stock: Game Stop.
