CA ISO hits record 97% renewables

Government news rellease

April 14, 2022
https://www.caiso.com/Documents/California-ISO-Hits-All-Time…

California ISO hits all-time peak of more than 97% renewables

Electric grid breaks another record, giving glimpse of zero-carbon future

FOLSOM, Calif. – In another sign of progress toward a carbon-free power grid, the
California Independent System Operator (ISO) set a new record on April 3, when 97.6
percent of electricity on the grid came from clean, renewable energy.

The peak, which occurred briefly at 3:39 p.m., broke the previous record of 96.4 percent
set on March 27, 2022. Before that, the grid’s record for clean power was 94.5 percent,
set on April 21, 2021. The new milestone comes as the ISO integrates growing amounts
of renewable energy onto the grid in support of the state’s clean energy goals.
“This new record is testament to the hard work and collaboration of many people, from
policymakers to system operators,” said ISO President and CEO Elliot Mainzer. “While
these all-time highs are for a brief time, they solidly demonstrate the advances being
made to reliably achieve California’s clean energy goals.”

Ashutosh Bhagwat, chair of the ISO Board of Governors, said the new record is a
tribute to California’s ambitious policy goals on climate and clean energy.
“When we see renewable energy peaks like this, we are getting to re-imagine what the
grid will look like for generations to come,” he said. “These moments help crystallize the
vision of the modern, efficient and sustainable grid of the future.”

The grid also set a historical solar peak of 13,628 megawatts (MW) just after noon on
April 8, and an all-time wind peak of 6,265 MW just before 3 p.m. on March 4.
Renewable peaks typically occur in the spring, due to mild temperatures and the sun
angle allowing for an extended window of strong solar production. ISO analysis
forecasts a potential for more renewable records in April.

The ISO has collaborated extensively with the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC), the California Energy Commission (CEC) and a broad group of stakeholders
on market and transmission improvements to integrate increasing amounts of
renewable energy. More than 15,000 MW of grid-connected solar power capacity and
almost 8,000 MW of wind are now online.

More in the government link.

Jaak

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