Thread by @Sammy_Roth, I wrote today about climate despair, and how I stay hopeful even [...]

I wrote today about climate despair, and how I stay hopeful even during a scary week like this one: https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2020-08-20/boiling-point-california-broiling-burning-boiling-point

But I also have a story about how California can keep the lights on while meeting its clean energy goals. Going to run through the ideas in a thread...

California is broiling and burning. Here are ideas for dealing with climate despair

A bit of Jewish wisdom might help: "It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world, but you are not free to desist from it either."

https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2020-08-20/boiling-point-california-broiling-burning-boiling-point

Idea No. 1: Build lots of lithium-ion batteries, to store solar power during the day and distribute it at night.

“Storage is a total game-changer,” says @cleantechsonia, vice president of @EnergyInnovLLC. https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-08-19/how-california-can-keep-lights-on-while-meeting-clean-energy-goals

Here's how California can keep the lights on while meeting its clean energy goals

Supplying enough power on hot summer evenings is one of California's main challenges. But experts say there solutions.

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-08-19/how-california-can-keep-lights-on-while-meeting-clean-energy-goals

Idea No. 2: Build lots of solar and wind farms too, to meet demand and charge those batteries. Overbuild them if you need to, even if it means you can't use all that solar in the middle of the day.

I wrote more about this concept last year: https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-solar-batteries-renewable-energy-california-20190605-story.html

California has too much solar power. That might be good for ratepayers

California set two renewable energy records last week: the most solar power ever flowing on the state’s main electric grid, and the most solar power ever taken offline because it wasn’t needed.

https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-solar-batteries-renewable-energy-california-20190605-story.html

Idea No. 3: Install lots of solar on rooftops, and batteries in garages. Then turn them into virtual power plants.

“It takes the Flex Alert and puts it on speed," says @DelChiaroSolar. https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-08-19/how-california-can-keep-lights-on-while-meeting-clean-energy-goals

Here's how California can keep the lights on while meeting its clean energy goals

Supplying enough power on hot summer evenings is one of California's main challenges. But experts say there solutions.

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-08-19/how-california-can-keep-lights-on-while-meeting-clean-energy-goals

Idea No. 4: People power! Instead of just asking people to save energy when supplies are tight, pay them to do so, and make it automated. It's called "demand response."

Conservation worked wonders on Monday, leading to significantly lower-than-expected electricity demand in CA:

Idea No. 5: Expand the power grid, by linking California's electric system with those of other western states.

This one's controversial among environmentalists, with arguments for and against. I did a deep dive in 2017: https://www.desertsun.com/story/tech/science/energy/2017/02/01/caiso-pacificorp-california-solar-wind/96201888/

Jerry Brown and Warren Buffett want to rewire the West

Their plan could save consumers billions of dollars and slash climate pollution. But critics are worried it would do the opposite.

https://www.desertsun.com/story/tech/science/energy/2017/02/01/caiso-pacificorp-california-solar-wind/96201888/

Idea No. 6: Don't close the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant. Also super controversial for the reasons you'd expect. But @Cunning_Jordan says he "can’t imagine what kind of situation we’re going to be in if there’s a heat wave in 2025 when Diablo is offline.” https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-08-19/how-california-can-keep-lights-on-while-meeting-clean-energy-goals

Here's how California can keep the lights on while meeting its clean energy goals

Supplying enough power on hot summer evenings is one of California's main challenges. But experts say there solutions.

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-08-19/how-california-can-keep-lights-on-while-meeting-clean-energy-goals

Idea No. 7: Build more geothermal plants and offshore wind turbines. Yes, this is a two-fer.

I wrote in January about why energy providers are giving geothermal another look: https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-01-22/california-needs-clean-energy-after-sundown-geothermal-could-be-the-answer

And @robnikolewski has been on the offshore wind beat: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/energy-green/story/2019-12-05/offshore-wind-still-looks-to-get-a-foothold-in-california

California needs clean energy after sundown. Is the answer under our feet?

After years of playing third fiddle to solar and wind power, new geothermal plants are finally getting built.

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-01-22/california-needs-clean-energy-after-sundown-geothermal-could-be-the-answer

Idea No. 8: Long-duration storage tech that can bank more energy, for longer periods of time, than batteries.

Like nuclear, there's serious controversy here. Read my latest on "pumped storage": https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-03-05/is-hydropower-key-to-a-clean-energy-future

And also "compressed air" storage: https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2019-08-07/renewable-energy-storage-los-angeles

Environmental disaster or key to a clean energy future? A new twist on hydropower

Energy companies are scrambling to build 'pumped storage' projects to complement solar and wind farms. Environmentalists are concerned.

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-03-05/is-hydropower-key-to-a-clean-energy-future

Maybe some of these ideas are better than others. I'm not vouching for any of them. Point is that some combination of stuff will be needed to maintain the reliable energy we all know and love while also tackling climate change.

Again, the full story here: https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-08-19/how-california-can-keep-lights-on-while-meeting-clean-energy-goals

Here's how California can keep the lights on while meeting its clean energy goals

Supplying enough power on hot summer evenings is one of California's main challenges. But experts say there solutions.

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-08-19/how-california-can-keep-lights-on-while-meeting-clean-energy-goals

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