Wind and solar exceeding Coal in 2023

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/04/renewable-energy-texas-heat/



This summer, like last summer, Texas has battled a brutal heat wave that regularly reaches triple-digit temperatures. This summer, like last summer, the heat wave triggered record levels of energy demand. This summer, like last summer, there have miraculously been no rolling blackouts; in fact, this year, the state’s grid operator has so far asked for just one day of voluntary energy conservation.



And this summer, like last summer, renewables have been the heroes of the story — yet they remain curiously vilified by politicians in the Lone Star State.

In recent years, renewable energy has been ramping up across Texas. The state has rapidly increased solar capacity, for instance, enabling as much as 16,800 megawatts of solar power to be produced on the grid as of the end of May. That’s roughly six times the capacity that existed in 2019 (about 2,600 megawatts), according to data from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state’s grid operator.

After all, several thermal-energy plants in the state went offline in recent weeks, as coal, natural gas and nuclear facilities appeared to buckle under extreme temperatures and shrinking maintenance windows. Additional solar and wind generation more than made up the difference. Renewables overall have lately represented roughly 35 to 40 percent of power generation at peak, compared with about 30 percent last year.

 

https://cleantechnica.com/2023/07/07/california-duck-curve-getting-deeper-with-solar-growth/amp/

In the spring in CA renewables produce almost 100% of grid power in the day but still leave a gap, especially during early evening hours when sun is going down but lower demands are still high. More battery storage needed.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/13/china-renewables-ev-peak-emissions/

This year alone, China could add more solar power than the cumulative total in place in the United States. Last year, the increase in China’s solar and wind power nearly matched the amount of electricity used in many of the world’s major economies, including South Africa, Australia and Spain.


This dizzying pace means China’s carbon dioxide emissions will peak years ahead of its 2030 target. And where one global power leads, others are compelled to follow

After several years of rapid installation, China’s solar and wind output is big. Its total solar and wind power generation — not the annual increase — in 2022 was more than twice the electricity use of Canada, and far more than what Brazil, Japan or Russia consumes. This year, its solar and wind output could get close to the total power output of India.





Total non fossil fuel approx 18.3% in China and increasing.

China Increasing Renewable and Fossil Fuel Energy | NextBigFuture.com.

But coal and gas are still increasing also. It really shows that to the degree using less fossil fuels makes a difference with climate change any time soon, a lot of it comes down to China.

 

Not uncommon for new technologies to run into financial obstacles. The natural gas boom was great for consumers but the industry lost many billions as excess supply was created.

 

It is definitely more expensive but they are currently at about 60% clean energy - in 2021 - and shooting for 90% by 2030. That’s pretty impressive. And battery storage is steadily growing.

New Data Shows Growth in California’s Clean Electricity Portfolio and Battery Storage Capacity

 

Wind and solar are propping up the Texas power grid amid a brutally long heat wave | CNN Business

As temperatures soared into the triple-digits on Wednesday, renewable energy was providing 30 to 40% of the power the state needed, according to analysis of state data from Texas energy expert Doug Lewin.

And as the state struggled through an early heatwave in June, non-fossil fuel power including renewables and nuclear made up 55% of total generation on June 28 and 29 and close to 50% of the power needed during the evening peak, according to statistics from the federal Energy Information Administration.

 

As Heat Waves Roast Texas, Batteries Keep Power Grid Humming

As Heat Waves Roast Texas, Batteries Keep Power Grid Humming
A surge in battery storage is helping Texas beat the heat without additional fossil fuels

A battery boom is helping to stabilize the Texas power grid, offering a template for utilities that want to cut their greenhouse gases even as air conditioners hum wildly during heat waves.

The growth of batteries was evident last week when energy storage facilities injected a record amount of power into Texas’ electric system. It was badly needed on an evening when the state’s primary grid operator had called on consumers to conserve energy.

. Texas has installed 2.5 gigawatts of battery capacity over the last five years — about a quarter of total U.S. battery capacity. Only California has installed more. “It is like two nuclear power plants worth of support for the grid,” said Michael Webber, a professor at the University of Texas, Austin, who studies the power system.

 

I think that is true. But they have cut their share of coal to about half in 10 years, FWIW.

https://www.dallasfed.org/research/...es/research/economics/2021/0817/dfe0817c1.png