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Joe Steinke

Principal Engineer WZI Flow Control Ltd.

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Principal Engineer, WZI Flow Control LTD, March 2017 – PresentPrincipal Engineer / Senior Valve Doctor, CCI, IMI Critical Engineering, Jun 1994 – Oct 2016, Rancho Santa Margarita, CAEngineering...

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Peter Kelly-Detwiler

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NorthBridge Energy Partners, LLC

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Aug 31, 2020 1:15 pm GMTAug 31, 2020 1:27 pm GMT
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Leveling the Renewable Roller Coaster, California Style

As California transitions toward out 100% renewable electricity generation goals, a review of where we are today and investments needed is warranted.Â Review of added generation needs to be done not just based on the average yearly consumption, but on t

Source: www.linkedin.com

This may be of interest to those looking to transition to 100% green. We can expect similar grid performance this weekend in California.

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Matt Chester on Aug 31, 2020

While there are a number of unknowns, I would suggest that the variables above will increase the net electricity can easily double the investment costs need to transition to 100% renewable in California.

What about getting to 80% or 90% renewable-- how much of the costs are in the huge hurdles to overcome to capture that last 10%? From my understanding, it would be more cost effective to simply not aim for that 100% level and focus not he first 90% or so because the carbon impact would be that immense without getting caught in the trap of trying to plan for those last cases.

Joe Steinke on Aug 31, 2020

Matt - I agree with you that we should approach the task of renewable genertion gradually. However, that is not how governments are working. Mandates are being made with specific timelines without a clear plan on how to accomplish those goals. SB 100 passed in 2002 requires specific time frames and goals. Reports are due on progress and cost impact every 4 years.

Matt Chester on Aug 31, 2020

Agreed-- and there's something to be said for aiming for 100% by 2050 or 2040 or whatever it is even if we don't know how technically achievable that would be since it will put greater pressure to make progress in the short term. But haven't we seen that if governments fail to meet those goals that there's typically little resistance to just kicking the can a bit further down the road based on the new information (on tech, on economics, etc.) that's been uncovered in the time since?

Joe Steinke on Sep 1, 2020

Maybe you haven't seen all of the "tipping point", "speed it up", "we have only months..." posts. Not to be pessimistic, but I think we are going to need to see a couple of disasters before a more detailed review is done.

Thank Joe for the Post!

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