CAISO accepts US$ 2.9 bn of transmission projects to enhance reliability

• California's grid operator has actually green-lighted a new plan to upgrade and increase the state's transmission system as even more renewables come online amidst increased electrification.

Authorized by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) last week, the 2021-2022 plan determined 23 projects, approximated to cost $2.9 billion, for system growths, upgrades and also reinforcements required for reliability and to satisfy the state's clean-energy targets for the following ten years.

With California aiming to shift to a carbon-free power industry by 2045, the need for brand-new generation over the next 10 years has intensified rapidly, driving a sped up speed for brand-new transmission growth in this as well as future planning cycles, CAISO said.

While last year's strategy was based on estimates that concerning 1GW of new resources would certainly be needed every year over the adhering to ten years, the brand-new roadmap is based on adding concerning 2.7 GW per year. The next plan, on the other hand, is presently projected to think a requirement of more than 4GW of brand-new sources per year.

Faster source growth over the next years is driven by aspects such as the escalating need to decarbonise the electricity grid as a result of "arising climate adjustment impacts" and also the anticipated electrification of transport as well as other carbon-emitting sectors, CAISO said.

Furthermore, even more resources will certainly be needed in California as a result of issues relating to lower access to chance imports as adjoining systems likewise decarbonise as well as above prepared for influences of optimal lots shifting to later in the day when solar resources are inaccessible.

These source needs, on the course to total grid decarbonisation, will require raised quantities of solar PV as well as battery storage space along with greater roles for geothermal, new out-of-state renewables and offshore wind generation, according to CAISO.

The grid operator claimed the transmission systems will certainly "need to be expanded, updated and enhanced to accessibility and also incorporate these sources, too suit the anticipated revival in electricity usage as transportation and various other sectors energize to reduce their carbon influence".

Publication of the latest method comes after the California Public Utilities Commission accepted plans last month that will certainly see the state add virtually 19GW of utility-scale solar as well as 15GW of battery power storage systems by 2032.

Yearly solar PV enhancements in California declined to 3,640 MW last year, according to brand-new study from the Solar Energy Industries Organization and Wood Mackenzie, which exposed that Texas, with greater than 6GW, was the top-ranked state for solar implementation in 2021, thanks to a solid year for its utility-scale section.