So.....what is *actually* going on in #California? The grid operator is cutting people off due to a record-breaking heatwave, and a shortfall in electricity supply. Is it not enough gas? Not enough solar and batteries?

I dig in here for @renew_economy: https://reneweconomy.com.au/california-grid-melts-in-record-heat-are-renewables-to-blame-37609/
California grid melts in record heat. Are renewables to blame?

The California grid is failing to meet demand in a record heatwave. It is already becoming clear that this is a story of mismanagement, rather than the fault of renewables.

https://reneweconomy.com.au/california-grid-melts-in-record-heat-are-renewables-to-blame-37609/
Australia set the gold standard for taking a climate-related weather extreme, dramatising its impacts on the grid, and then linking that to the new presence of renewables. That moment was in Sep 2016 - explored in Chap 3 of windfall --> https://ketanjoshi.co/windfall/ 
In the past few years, California has seen an incredible, unique and world-leading rise in solar power output, now an astonishing ~30% of total output.

At the same time: wildfires, heatwaves and mismanagement / corruption are all stressing the grid.

https://reneweconomy.com.au/california-grid-melts-in-record-heat-are-renewables-to-blame-37609/
In the past few years, California has seen an incredible, unique and world-leading rise in solar power output, now an astonishing ~30% of total output. At the same time: wildfires, heatwaves and mismanagement / corruption are all stressing the grid. https://reneweconomy.com.au/california-grid-melts-in-record-heat-are-renewables-to-blame-37609/
In the past few years, California has seen an incredible, unique and world-leading rise in solar power output, now an astonishing ~30% of total output. At the same time: wildfires, heatwaves and mismanagement / corruption are all stressing the grid. https://reneweconomy.com.au/california-grid-melts-in-record-heat-are-renewables-to-blame-37609/
In the past few years, California has seen an incredible, unique and world-leading rise in solar power output, now an astonishing ~30% of total output. At the same time: wildfires, heatwaves and mismanagement / corruption are all stressing the grid. https://reneweconomy.com.au/california-grid-melts-in-record-heat-are-renewables-to-blame-37609/
Unsurprisingly, the usual suspects are on the case. The tactics match SA 2016 precsisely:

- Mention the rise of renewables
- Mention the blackouts
- Nod vigorously and point, yelling 'HUH? HEY? SEE? THEY'RE TOGETHER! THAT MEANS THEY CAUSED EACH OTHER!'
Unsurprisingly, the usual suspects are on the case. The tactics match SA 2016 precsisely: - Mention the rise of renewables- Mention the blackouts- Nod vigorously and point, yelling 'HUH? HEY? SEE? THEY'RE TOGETHER! THAT MEANS THEY CAUSED EACH OTHER!'
Unsurprisingly, the usual suspects are on the case. The tactics match SA 2016 precsisely: - Mention the rise of renewables- Mention the blackouts- Nod vigorously and point, yelling 'HUH? HEY? SEE? THEY'RE TOGETHER! THAT MEANS THEY CAUSED EACH OTHER!'
Unsurprisingly, the usual suspects are on the case. The tactics match SA 2016 precsisely: - Mention the rise of renewables- Mention the blackouts- Nod vigorously and point, yelling 'HUH? HEY? SEE? THEY'RE TOGETHER! THAT MEANS THEY CAUSED EACH OTHER!'
Unsurprisingly, the usual suspects are on the case. The tactics match SA 2016 precsisely: - Mention the rise of renewables- Mention the blackouts- Nod vigorously and point, yelling 'HUH? HEY? SEE? THEY'RE TOGETHER! THAT MEANS THEY CAUSED EACH OTHER!'
As you might have guessed, the reasons for rolling blackouts in Cali primarily involve unusually high demand, along with several major fossil gas power stations failing in the heat.

Solar *does* reduce output at night, but we *know* it does that. Something bigger is going on.
As you might have guessed, the reasons for rolling blackouts in Cali primarily involve unusually high demand, along with several major fossil gas power stations failing in the heat. Solar *does* reduce output at night, but we *know* it does that. Something bigger is going on.
As you might have guessed, the reasons for rolling blackouts in Cali primarily involve unusually high demand, along with several major fossil gas power stations failing in the heat. Solar *does* reduce output at night, but we *know* it does that. Something bigger is going on.
The long-running project to frame wind and solar as *inherently* unreliable - as @TheStalwart is doing here - plays a key role.

If you just have plenty of thermal power plants, you're fine!*

*please disregard the 2001 California power crisis and Enron, just forget about it
Anyway, have a read, and stay tuned - I'll be following this closely. Australia and California are siblings, when it comes to power, fire and heat. Constant stream of parallels and differences to explore. https://reneweconomy.com.au/california-grid-melts-in-record-heat-are-renewables-to-blame-37609/
California grid melts in record heat. Are renewables to blame?

The California grid is failing to meet demand in a record heatwave. It is already becoming clear that this is a story of mismanagement, rather than the fault of renewables.

https://reneweconomy.com.au/california-grid-melts-in-record-heat-are-renewables-to-blame-37609/
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