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| California Energy Commissioner David Hochschild discusses the challenges of weaving together intermittent and baseload renewable energy generation at the seventh annual Imperial Valley Renewable Energy Summit (Courtesy Imperial Valley Press) |
What many describe as a valuation model that does not accurately reflect the costs and benefits of intermittent energy sources and stable baseload generation has left geothermal energy at a competitive disadvantage to solar and wind.
Test wells are expensive, and geothermal developers run the risk of drilling sub-commercial wells. Wind and solar energy are easier to harness.
There are other issues. Energy derived from the wind or the sun is intermittent. Solar generation drops if a cloud passes overhead, and stops entirely when it gets dark. And if the wind stops, turbines don’t spin. Grid operators have the added challenge of regulating these energy spikes and drops.
Developers are evaluating the potential of another increase in the state’s Renewables Portfolio Standard.
We’re looking at post-33 percent (RPS),” said Randy Keller, CalEnergy director of development, transmission and land assets.
“What would the market look like with 40 to 50 percent penetration,” he asked.
As every type of resource has its own set of challenges and opportunities, what is the biggest challenge facing the industry?
“How to weave all of these resources together is the biggest challenge going forward,” said California Energy Commissioner David Hochschild.
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