The recent spate of California fires has Pacific Gas & Electric, and state regulators scratching their heads. This is because they have seen the potential for wide-spread grid shutdowns. Clean energy advocates are at the gates demanding more solar, energy storage and micro grids.
However the California Fires Have Caused Uncertainty
Pacific Gas & Electric had to file for bankruptcy protection in January 2019. GreenTech Media thinks this follows “potentially massive liabilities” for contributing to the wildfires. It may have to expand its public-safety power shutoff program to de-energize power lines before a wild fire reaches them.
This could leave millions of Californians without grid electricity when California fires threaten to strike. Pacific Gas & Electric has plans in the pipeline to install more sensors and monitors. These would provide control room operators with improved real-time data. So they could make better, time-based decisions. However we are more interested in the behind-the-meter-possibilities.
Bringing the Clean Energy & Pollution Reduction Act into Play
By 2050, California plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels. Grey electricity pundits see an opportunity for Pacific Gas & Electric to create ‘resilience zones’ using diesel generators.
However, others in the green energy sector say global warming may be with us forever. And hence we need to seek out more permanent solutions in the form of local electricity supplies. That’s home-based solar and energy storage of course, and there’s little doubt which side we favor.
We hope the affected utilities incorporate renewable energy and plenty of it in their fire plans. The raging California fires have brought the questionable value of large power stations, and extensive power grids under the spotlight. These only really make sense when there are no other practical alternatives available.
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Preview Image: Back-Burning in California
