<p dir="ltr">California is leading the world in rapid deployment of renewable energy to support decarbonization. Current plans include a 60% carbon-free target by 2030 transitioning to 100% clean power by 2045. But how will the state reach these goals? What are the right steps to take along the path to 100% decarbonized electricity? The process of decarbonization is challenging. Grid operators must balance affordability and system reliability as more variable renewable energy comes online. Utilities must find the right mix of energy resources to decarbonize, while ensuring capabilities to keep power on even during extreme weather events.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">State-of-the-art power-system expansion modeling reveals that California can reach its renewable energy and emissions targets faster than planned without additional costs for ratepayers. In this presentation, a Wärtsilä Energy representative of the Path to 100% Expert Community will present this “Optimal Path” forward for California, which leverages carbon neutral fuels - hydrogen and/or synthetic carbon neutral methane - generated with curtailed solar power. Fuel is mainly produced in the spring when solar intensity is high and electricity consumption low, and stored in underground gas storage, forming a large seasonal electricity storage. The fuel is used in fast-starting, flexible power plants mainly in the winter, and during unusual weather conditions like extreme cold or heat waves, and longer rainy and cloudy periods. Utilization of renewable fuels enables construction of highly efficient and reliable power systems with affordable generation costs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Renewable Fuels: The Path to 100% Renewables for California

Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/POWER/POWER2021/volume/85109

ASME 2021 Power Conference (POWER2021)

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