Edison International Says That California’s Climate
Edison International’s chief executive told reporters on Wednesday that to fully decarbonize California’s electric grid, it will be necessary to use more clean energy sources, such as advanced geothermal, natural gas, and carbon-captured natural gas.
California, the most populous state in the United States, has set itself a goal of producing zero net emissions through its electrical grid. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind will play a major role in California’s plans for power generation.
“We don’t just need clean power; we also need electricity that can be delivered every minute of the day,” stated Pedro Pizarro. He is the head of Southern California Edison – an electric utility serving about 15,000,000 people.
He said that using only wind and solar would not be enough to provide power around the clock or logistically feasible.
To meet its goal, the state will need to add 120 Gigawatts of renewable energy with storage from now until its target date.
Pizarro explained that to cover the Los Angeles metro area in solar, we would have to cover an area as large as the city.
Southern California Edison entered into the largest geothermal contract ever signed with Fervo, a geothermal provider. The agreement is 320 megawatts and represents a geothermal power purchase agreement of its kind. The contract allows Fervo to finance the build-out of its power generation, with electricity being phased in beginning in 2026.
Pizarro said that in the interim between the addition of enough clean energy in California and the preservation of the natural gas-fired plants, the state should keep its power flowing.
Pizarro added that Southern California Edison does not sell natural gas which emits global warming carbon dioxide emissions. State officials extended the lifespan of several natural gas-fired plants on California’s coast until 2026 in order to avoid blackouts caused by power shortages. (Reporting and editing by Aurora Ellis; Laila Kearney)
(source: Reuters)
