America’s Grid Isn’t Ready for the Green Transition

Transmission lines exit the plant at Pacific Gas and Electric's Diablo Canyon Power Plant, the only operating nuclear powered plant in California.Michael Polsky, the founder and CEO of renewable energy developer Invenergy, has earned a reputation as a renewable energy pioneer. His company, founded in 2001, has more than 200 clean energy projects across the world completed or in progress.at this year’s Aspen Ideas: Climate conference, he could have taken a bit of a victory lap.

Recent warnings that we need to get the electric grid in order have grown even more dire as a variety of factors have coalesced. To start, the grid has suffered from under-investment for decades and improvements can be hard to permit. At the same time, demand for electricity is growing much faster than expected, in large part driven by data centers and growing electrification of the economy . Wind and solar energy have created additional challenges.

All of this adds up to an urgent picture: the integrity of the entire system is at stake, meaning that it may grow more difficult to keep the lights on consistently. A Decemberfrom North American Electric Reliability Corporation warned that huge swathes of the country face elevated or high risk of inadequate electric generation capacity.

A reliable grid is important in its own right. The grid not only keeps our economy running but also protects our health and well-being. There are climate effects, too. Polsky argues that an unreliable grid—driven by a wide variety of factors—could lead to a “backlash” from the public. “My fear is that we have a major issue with the grid and then start finding a scapegoat,” he told me. “What is the scapegoat? Renewables.

The solution, if it weren’t clear already, is relatively simple: invest in the grid. To do that, though, will require a combination of private sector investment and support from government and regulators.TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

المملكة العربية السعودية أحدث الأخبار, المملكة العربية السعودية عناوين

Similar News:يمكنك أيضًا قراءة قصص إخبارية مشابهة لهذه التي قمنا بجمعها من مصادر إخبارية أخرى.

Nigeria Power Market Tycoon Calls for Energy Grid ReformsA Nigerian businessman who controls several power sector companies has called for an overhaul of the grid to solve long-running problems with supply.
مصدر: OilandEnergy - 🏆 34. / 68 اقرأ أكثر »

Energy firm National Grid plans major change to its call out service...What is the energy price cap and what does it mean for me? (1)
مصدر: TheSun - 🏆 64. / 61 اقرأ أكثر »