Key Highlights :
Amid humanity's hottest-ever summer months, California, home of the hottest place on Earth, has enjoyed a relatively cool and stress-free energy supply. Thanks to the state's increasing reliance on renewable energy, and its rapidly growing ability to store nature's bounty on lithium-ion batteries, California is better prepared to face a warming planet while also maintaining a device-crazed, climate-controlled lifestyle.
The California Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO) has recorded a historic high mark for solar energy production in May, with more than 15,000 megawatts. The state's concentration of lithium-ion battery storage has also reached 5,600 megawatts, making it the largest in the world. Megawatt energy demand this summer has been in the low- to mid-40,000s.
Hydroelectric power has also made a strong if not historic showing through summer thanks to the state's record winter snowpack. Last year, 28% of the energy delivered on an average August day came from renewable sources. In May, the latest month available, that figure was nearly 45%, according to Cal-ISO data.
The grid has been operating with a surplus of power, which has benefited neighboring states. California's good fortune so far this week has benefited neighboring states, as the Western grid, after taking California out, has set new demand records this year.
Cal-ISO's board has also approved a plan that could bring up to 3,000 megawatts of wind power from Wyoming later in the decade. Despite the megawatts consumed, energy demand has been relatively low despite sizzling temperatures in the deserts and valleys. More than two-thirds of the state's nearly 40 million people live along the coast, where temperatures have largely been normal or below normal.
California may also have a not-so-secret weapon when the heat is on: its people. During the 2022 September heat wave, Cal-ISO issued FlexAlert notices seven days straight, asking Californians to cut back on energy use, especially in the early evening. The easing of potential demand during that heat wave appeared to have thwarted potential mandatory rolling blackouts.
This week, Cal-ISO is asking Californians to prepare for the possibility of FlexAlerts as heat advisories through at least Thursday cover much of the state inland of its coastal mountains and terrain, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 108. Death Valley could reach 118 on Thursday.
Overall, California's growing reliance on renewable energy, lithium-ion battery storage, and hydroelectric power has been a major factor in the state's ability to enjoy a relatively cool and stress-free energy supply despite humanity's hottest-ever summer months. The state's people have also played an important role in helping to manage electricity. With more renewable energy sources and battery storage on the way, California is well-positioned to face a warming planet while continuing to provide a device-crazed, climate-controlled lifestyle.