Report recommends investing in more non-solar renewable energy sources to spread clean generation throughout all hours of the day
California can retire at least 28 of its natural gas plants because they are no longer needed to meet the state’s electricity needs nor its carbon emissions reduction goals, according to an analysis released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
The study analyzed the operations of all 89 natural gas plants in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) territory to determine how many plants could be retired between 2018 and 2030 without affecting grid reliability while still meeting the state’s ambitious emissions targets. CAISO manages the power supply and demand for about 80 percent of the state. The analysis concluded California will not need to build any new gas plants in CAISO territory now or through 2030 to meet its power needs.
California should adopt several strategies to reduce its dependence on gas generation, especially in evening hours:
The study analyzed the operations of all 89 natural gas plants in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) territory to determine how many plants could be retired between 2018 and 2030 without affecting grid reliability while still meeting the state’s ambitious emissions targets. CAISO manages the power supply and demand for about 80 percent of the state. The analysis concluded California will not need to build any new gas plants in CAISO territory now or through 2030 to meet its power needs.
California should adopt several strategies to reduce its dependence on gas generation, especially in evening hours:
- Use energy efficiency to lower electricity demand,
- Shift electricity demand to earlier in the day, when solar power is most abundant
- Invest in energy storage
- Invest in more non-solar renewable energy sources to spread clean generation throughout all hours of the day
- Allow California’s grid operators greater access to clean energy generation resources outside the state to help further reduce the need to cycle in-state gas plants.
- Target specific locations for clean energy and storage investment that provide local reliability needs.