After a very dry November and December the rains have returned to refresh the Golden State. Cloudy conditions with occasional showers are the forecast across California. It is mild with very little wind.
This poor weather affects 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 from renewable resources to the CAISO grid, with almost 22,800 MWh. Winds produced 5,159 MWh, solar energy (PV and thermal) peaked around midday and only supplied 21,640 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. You can depend on it!