wind energy

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Legislative roundup: California lawmakers make big moves to promote clean energy in 2023

Policies in California have passed the state legislature and are awaiting Governor Newsom’s approval. These bills cover a range of topics, including opening up highways for solar power projects, upgrading ports for offshore wind development, promoting offshore wind energy procurement, improving energy efficiency in large buildings, studying wave and tidal power potential, addressing orphan oil wells, and reauthorizing funds for clean transportation. The piece emphasizes the importance of these bills in advancing California’s transition to 100% clean energy and addressing various environmental challenges.

 

The article speaks on a series of bills related to environmental policies in California, addressing issues such as solar power projects, offshore wind development, energy efficiency, wave and tidal power, orphan oil wells, and clean transportation. These legislative efforts seem to align with the state’s commitment to clean energy and environmental responsibility. If enacted, these bills could contribute significantly to California’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable practices.

 

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‘A massive enterprise’: California’s offshore wind farms are on a fast track

California aims to harness wind energy from giant floating ocean platforms, a crucial element in achieving its goal of 100% zero-carbon energy by 2045. The state plans offshore wind farms with a capacity of 25 gigawatts, supplying 25 million homes and constituting about 13% of the power supply. In December, the federal government auctioned off ocean waters off Humboldt Bay and Morro Bay for five energy companies to develop wind farms with towering turbines. This innovative approach involves floating platforms in deep waters, a departure from traditional offshore wind farms anchored close to shore. The complex process, cost implications, and extensive reviews suggest a timeline of a decade or more before major wind farms off California become operational.

 

The article focuses on California’s ambitious plans for offshore wind energy and the challenges associated with implementing this innovative approach. While the state’s goal of 100% zero-carbon energy is commendable, the article underscores the complexities, costs, and lengthy timelines involved in developing floating wind farms in deep waters. Achieving success in this endeavor will require substantial investment, both from the private and public sectors. The piece reflects the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy but emphasizes the intricate process and time required for such projects to materialize.

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Do Californians want solar and wind in their backyards?

The majority of California voters are comfortable with renewable energy projects near their communities, according to a poll co-sponsored by the L.A. Times and UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies. The survey found that 56% of registered voters are comfortable with wind turbines near their community, and 69% support solar farms. Even offshore wind turbines visible from the beach received a 2-1 ratio endorsement. However, the article notes a “mismatch between broad public support and specific intense opposition,” with 17% of proposed wind farms facing significant opposition, particularly in areas with whiter populations. The article emphasizes the need to bridge the gap between public support for clean energy and specific opposition to its implementation.

 

The article highlights a positive trend in public support for renewable energy projects in California, as indicated by the poll results. While there is widespread approval for wind turbines, solar farms, and even offshore wind turbines, the piece emphasizes the challenge of specific, intense opposition that often influences decisions at the local level. The author underscores the importance of finding ways to address opposition and expedite the transition to renewable energy, especially given the urgency of addressing climate change.

 

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Solar and wind power curtailments are rising in California

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) is experiencing a surge in curtailing solar- and wind-powered electricity due to challenges in balancing supply and demand. In 2022, CAISO curtailed 2.4 million megawatt hours of utility-scale wind and solar output, marking a 63% increase from the previous year. Solar accounts for the majority of curtailed energy. This issue arises from congestion, as transmission capacity struggles to keep up with the rapid growth of renewable energy capacity. CAISO is exploring solutions such as the Western Energy Imbalance Market, expanding transmission capacity, and promoting flexible resources like battery storage to address the increasing curtailment of renewables.

 

The article sheds light on the challenges faced by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) in managing the rapid growth of solar and wind energy, leading to increased curtailment due to congestion. It highlights the need for better infrastructure and innovative solutions, such as the Western Energy Imbalance Market and battery storage, to address these issues. The situation underscores the complexities of transitioning to renewable energy and the importance of proactive measures to ensure a stable and efficient electric system.

 

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California Has Dealt a Blow to Renewable Energy, Some Businesses Say

California’s shift in policies in 2023, reducing incentives for residential rooftop solar installations, has caused an 85% drop in sales, leading to job losses and business closures. The state defends the move, citing equity concerns and a focus on energy storage. Critics argue it hinders progress toward emission reduction goals. Proponents seek legal intervention. Installers and homeowners claim the policy makes solar systems less financially attractive. Affordability challenges persist, and experts suggest rooftop solar could regain appeal if electricity rates rise. The article underscores ongoing tensions in balancing renewable energy integration.

 

The article highlights the complexities and challenges of balancing renewable energy goals with economic considerations. While California’s policy change aims to address equity issues, it has resulted in a significant decline in rooftop solar installations, impacting businesses and hindering progress towards emission reduction targets. The debate underscores the delicate balance required in transitioning to cleaner energy sources without compromising economic viability and job sustainability.

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Wind power is looking up – to the clouds

Wind power is booming, largely due to a search for energy from sources other than fossil fuels, such as petroleum and coal. But some people have growing concerns about wind power. (Perkins) Turbine blades strike and kill flying animals each year, including bats and migrating birds. For instance, an estimated 214,000 to 368,000 small birds may be killed by turbine blades each year. (Perkins) Other critics think that the forests of turbines are just plain ugly. And many people who live near wind farms complain about the whooshing noise made by the rapidly whirling blades.

 

This article is important because it states the downside effects of wind energy. Like every project, wind energy does have its downsides. One of the major downsides is that the wind turbines tend to kill many birds that happen to be flying by. A good way to fix this would be to make more offshore wind turbines. That way, it will be harder to kill bird species.

 

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Offshore Wind Power’s Promising But Complicated Future

Developed by researchers under the name DeepCWind, the VolturnUS is the only operational offshore turbine in the United States, and the only floating turbine in the world. To renewable energy enthusiasts, offshore wind power is one of the most promising new technologies with potential to reduce American dependence on fossil fuels. It refers to the construction of offshore turbines that utilize natural, high-velocity ocean wind energy to produce electricity. (Connor-Cleveland) In the United States, there is roughly 4,000 gigawatts of unharnessed offshore wind capacity within 50 miles of our coastline, which is enough to power the United States annually four times over. (Connor-Cleveland)

 

This article is important because most people are not aware of offshore wind power. It is also important to know that offshore wind power is one of the most promising new technologies. This is because they use the high powered ocean wind to produce electricity. Offshore wind power can be more reliable, because the ocean is usually always winsy. It can also save more birds that get killed by the turbines, because most birds do not fly over the ocean. In conclusion, offshore wind energy can help further save the environment.

 

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U.S. Wind Power Blows New Records. Again. And Again.

Wind was responsible for 4.8 percent of America’s electricity used in January, which is the highest January total ever. (Randall) In the United States, wind energy is becoming cheaper than both natural gas and coal. Average onshore wind power now costs the same as gas worldwide, at about $84 per megawatt hour. (Randall) The competition between wind energy and gas is very close.

 

This article is important because it states how wind energy is becoming cheaper and cheaper. The initial problem with having wind energy was the cost and expenses. Now that it is nearly as cheap as natural gas and coal emissions, wind energy will become more popular in the United States. If wind energy becomes more popular, there will be less greenhouse gas emission into the atmosphere.

 

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Wind power saves $1.2 billion each yea

A trade association says that wind power saved electricity customers in Oklahoma and surrounding states more than $1.2 billion last year. (Report) The pool operates the electric grid and plans transmission for 6.2 million households in parts of nine states. Since wind is free after the turbines are installed, most of the consumer savings came from avoided fuel costs at coal or natural gas plants. But the association says wind power also saved water and reduced emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Oklahoma currently has 29 wind projects that represent about $6 billion worth of capital investment from the last decade, and more than 1,700 turbines are providing about 15% of the electricity in the state. (Report)

 

This article relates to the environment because wind power is becoming a new form of electricity in Oklahoma. Not only is is a eco-friendly form of electricity in Oklahoma, but it has also saved water AND reduced emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This is a very important step for the state of Oklahoma, because they are also making a lot of money, with about $6 billion worth of capital investment from the last decade. In conclusion, wind power in Oklahoma is helping save the atmosphere.