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I’m surprised the mitigation discussion didn’t include “more wind generation”. Especially at the coast [1], you have plenty of wind at and around sunset from th

by boulos 7y ago

I’m surprised the mitigation discussion didn’t include “more wind generation”. Especially at the coast [1], you have plenty of wind at and around sunset from the large temperature differential. The chart is load minus solar/wind, but the example graph was a low wind day apparently (and IIRC, we are predominantly solar in California). But even then, this curve doesn’t seem to apply in California in the summer when load demand is highest (look at CAISO demand for say July 24). The amount of built up generation should be looked at in terms of annual peaks and overall efficiency. July has demand up to 45GW range where renewables are only currently able to shave off 10 GW of that (but basically all day long). The forecasted demand for today has a peak of 25 GW. Is it “just” about how quickly net demand spikes? The grid seems to handle 10+ MW or scheduled maintenance (look at October 1). [1] https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/pacifica_dumps_san_francisco https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/pacifica_dumps_san_franc... (ignore the current high winds, go a few days forward).

danans 7y ago
> I’m surprised the mitigation discussion didn’t include “more wind generation”. Especially at the coast This is just my conjecture, but I wouldn't be surprised if the very high cost of coastal land, and possible objection by nearby homeowners in CA is part of the reason for lack of wind power on the immediate coast. If you go just a bit inland, however you'll find the massive new Turtle Island wind farm near the Sacramento River delta.
- Filligree 7y ago
  Coastal land, yes. It's usually unproblematic to build wind farms offshore, and they work even better there.
  - ZeroGravitas 7y ago
    Offshore wind power started off in areas with shallow seas, it's only now getting around to floating wind that would suit California.
    - dredmorbius 7y ago
      California will have plenty of shallow seas, by and by. Mostly in places like the Bay counties, Stockton and Sacramento.
- leggomylibro 7y ago
  Hey, it's like this in Washington too! Not a windmill in sight near Seattle, but head East and you'll see them grouped along mountain ridges by the dozen. It does seem very windy out there compared to the coast, though. It's funny, people seem to dislike the windmills even as they house military firing ranges, hydroelectric dams, nuclear reactors, and similar on the same land. It's less funny that the government coerced people who were resistant to signing treaties or selling land to cede the Columbia River Valley for those things, but the wind turbines - those seem to really bother people. In fairness, they do sort of remind me of Simon Stålenhag's art[0]. It's a little bit eerie how they loom in the distance and light up in unison at night. [0]: http://conceptartworld.com/artists/simon-stalenhag/ http://conceptartworld.com/artists/simon-stalenhag/

by boulos 7y ago

danans 7y ago

> I’m surprised the mitigation discussion didn’t include “more wind generation”. Especially at the coast This is just my conjecture, but I wouldn't be surprised if the very high cost of coastal land, and possible objection by nearby homeowners in CA is part of the reason for lack of wind power on the immediate coast. If you go just a bit inland, however you'll find the massive new Turtle Island wind farm near the Sacramento River delta.

Filligree 7y ago
Coastal land, yes. It's usually unproblematic to build wind farms offshore, and they work even better there.
- ZeroGravitas 7y ago
  Offshore wind power started off in areas with shallow seas, it's only now getting around to floating wind that would suit California.
  - dredmorbius 7y ago
    California will have plenty of shallow seas, by and by. Mostly in places like the Bay counties, Stockton and Sacramento.
leggomylibro 7y ago
Hey, it's like this in Washington too! Not a windmill in sight near Seattle, but head East and you'll see them grouped along mountain ridges by the dozen. It does seem very windy out there compared to the coast, though. It's funny, people seem to dislike the windmills even as they house military firing ranges, hydroelectric dams, nuclear reactors, and similar on the same land. It's less funny that the government coerced people who were resistant to signing treaties or selling land to cede the Columbia River Valley for those things, but the wind turbines - those seem to really bother people. In fairness, they do sort of remind me of Simon Stålenhag's art[0]. It's a little bit eerie how they loom in the distance and light up in unison at night. [0]: http://conceptartworld.com/artists/simon-stalenhag/ http://conceptartworld.com/artists/simon-stalenhag/