New and old come together to power California
The old and the new came into play when California’s power demand hit record levels. The state's electric grid operators had to rely on a mix of old and new sources of power to meet the high demand.
As California's power demand hit record levels, the old and the new came into play. The state's aging power grid was strained, but new sources of renewable energy helped to meet the demand.
![Californians received text messages asking them to reduce their electric use while natural gas fired ... [+] generators were being activated to avert rolling blackouts; the combination of old and new technologies worked.getty](/uploaded_images/c510741d1249bd4ec6ec33bce57786a3_1662601624.jpg)
The authorities in California were able to avert widespread rolling blackouts on September 6, 2022, thanks to a combination of fossil fuel-sourced emergency power generation and a well-timed, adeptly executed emergency text message that dropped power usage just as power demand was peaking at critical levels. This was a close call, but thanks to the quick thinking and action of those involved, California narrowly avoided a major power crisis.
Looking back at California's recent power woes, it's clear that the state's aging fossil fuel infrastructure was to blame for much of the problem. But it's also clear that the state's residents stepped up and saved the day by implementing energy-saving measures. Kudos to all involved!
The fact remains that California went almost 14 years before it broke the Peak Load Megawatt use record set in 2006. Fourteen years is a long time; in fact, it’s plenty of time in which to prepare for the inevitable breach of the old electricity demand record and the setting of a new one. California, much like Texas, has for years spent its efforts admirably on the build-out and incentivization of alternate forms of electricity production, with a particular emphasis on solar and wind power. But the current heat wave is testing the reliability of California’s renewable energy grid, in much the same way that the Texas electric grid was tested by extreme cold and ice in the winter of 2021.
The commitment by both states to alternative energy generation is a good thing, but it was done too soon and too fast at the expense of traditional sources of carbon and nuclear based energy sources. While alternative energy sources are important, traditional sources of energy are still needed and should not be ignored.
In my opinion, California's weather advantage over Texas is due to the lack of oil and gas production in the state. This means that there is less risk of extreme weather conditions causing power outages and other problems. Additionally, California's policy of incentivizing the use of renewable energy sources is commendable, and is likely to help the state avoid similar problems in the future.
It is clear that both California and Texas have made a mistake in rushing towards alternative sources of energy without adequately protecting their existing infrastructure. This has resulted in real consequences for residents of both states, who are now facing uncomfortable and dangerous conditions. It is time for both states to take a step back and reevaluate their approach to energy generation, ensuring that they are taking a balanced and responsible approach that will protect their residents and infrastructure.
In the wake of the devastating blackouts in California and Texas, it is clear that a balanced approach to energy policy is needed. Promoting renewable energy sources is important, but it must be done in a way that does not put too much strain on the existing energy infrastructure. Reliability is key when it comes to energy, and policy makers need to make sure that the needs of the people are always their top priority.
