Here in northern California we have had a wet start to the year. Over 7 inches of rain has fallen since New Year's Day! There are widespread floods and the reservoirs are filling up. The long drought, at least in the north, could be over.
This poor weather affected electricity generation especially wind and solar. When the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine these renewable energy providers suffer.
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) measures the output from renewable energy providers to the State grid. As you can see in the graphs above there was enough sun to energize solar panels for just 10 hours and the wind decreased in intensity during the day. The weather wasn't cooperating for the variable renewables.
However, geothermal energy was still plugging away, supplying a constant supply of clean, dependable, renewable energy 24/7, 365 days a year.
In fact, yesterday in California, geothermal energy was the biggest provider of electricity to the CAISO grid, with over 24,000 MWh. Winds produced 13,066 MWh, solar energy (PV and thermal) peaked after midday and only supplied 16,161 MWh.
Geothermal energy was the number one renewable energy provider - and this is not the only day when it supports the economy here in California.
