nrdc: California Solar Keeps Growing, Breaking RecordsIn the last month the California transmission system twice broke U.S. records for solar powered energy by bringing on 1,000 MW of solar energy at one time. This record of solar powered energy is equal to the amount of energy generated by two large gas-fired power plants or enough clean energy to power the city of San Francisco. This achievement serves as evidence that the state is making progress toward meeting its renewable energy goals. The news came from leaders of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Independent System Operator Corporation (ISO) at the annual ISO Stakeholder Symposium, attended by energy leaders and stakeholders this week in Sacramento.  While still small compared to other power sources, the amount of solar energy in California is growing fast. The record shows that solar power comes online when it is needed most and can provide a clean alternative during peak energy demand hours. Read more in Noah Long’s blog. Graph: California ISO Currently, a majority of the electricity for the grid is generated with coal-powered plants, so this news is something that should help keep coal companies in the picture longer. I think of this as a hybridized scenario that will help diversify our energy portfolio which is heavily vested in fossil fuel. Diversification has more positive attributes when it comes to energy; or money or people for that matter.

nrdc:

California Solar Keeps Growing, Breaking Records
In the last month the California transmission system twice broke U.S. records for solar powered energy by bringing on 1,000 MW of solar energy at one time. This record of solar powered energy is equal to the amount of energy generated by two large gas-fired power plants or enough clean energy to power the city of San Francisco. This achievement serves as evidence that the state is making progress toward meeting its renewable energy goals.

The news came from leaders of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Independent System Operator Corporation (ISO) at the annual ISO Stakeholder Symposium, attended by energy leaders and stakeholders this week in Sacramento. 

While still small compared to other power sources, the amount of solar energy in California is growing fast. The record shows that solar power comes online when it is needed most and can provide a clean alternative during peak energy demand hours. Read more in Noah Long’s blog.

Graph: California ISO

Currently, a majority of the electricity for the grid is generated with coal-powered plants, so this news is something that should help keep coal companies in the picture longer.

I think of this as a hybridized scenario that will help diversify our energy portfolio which is heavily vested in fossil fuel.

Diversification has more positive attributes when it comes to energy; or money or people for that matter.

(via 30casterlyrock)

Sep. 15 2012
Via switchboard.nrdc.org
#environmental science #renewable energy #climate change #behavioral science
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  1. wolfrhamhart reblogged this from nrdc
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  4. rachel-indecol reblogged this from nrdc and added:
    A type of systems thinking that I want to shift to: a portfolio of energy resources. Put more to alternatives, while...
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  6. blu3rsx reblogged this from 30casterlyrock and added:
    Currently, a majority of the electricity for the grid is generated with coal-powered plants, so this news is something...
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  8. 518environmentalism reblogged this from nrdc and added:
    New York, take notes.
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