SevenAfter workers had completed installing solar panels atop the roof, it took months for them to finish. GarciaNear family home Stanford UniversityThe system is essentially a roof ornament. The problem: The local utility’s equipment is so overloaded that there is no place for the electricity produced by the panels to go.
“We wasted 30,000-something dollars on a system we can’t use,” Theresa Garcia said. “It’s just been really frustrating.”
President BidenLegislators and regulators are being urged to wean the United StatesUsing fossil fuels to counter climate change. ButHis ambitious goals may be undermined by aging transformers, dated electrical lines, and other obstacles that make it difficult for homeowners, local government, and businesses, to use solar panels, battery, electric cars, heat pump, and other devices that help reduce greenhouse gas emission.
MuchMost of the equipment on our electric grid was installed decades ago and needs to have its components updated. It was designed for a world in which electricity flowed in one direction — from the grid to people. NowHomes and businesses are increasingly supplying electricity to the grid through rooftop solar panels.
TheseThese problems are becoming more urgent as the fastest way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to switch machinery, cars, and heating equipment from oil and natural gas to electricity produced by solar, nuclear, and other zero-emission energy sources. YetEnergy experts stated that the grid does not have enough capacity to power all the items that could be affected by climate change.
“It’s a perfect violent storm as far as meeting the demand that we’re going to have,” said Michael Johnston, executive Director of Codes and Standards for the National Electrical Contractors Association. “It’s no small problem.”
‘Infrastructure That Is Failing’
Ms. GarciaHer husband, QuinTheir home was purchased in Portola ValleyIt was a little less than a year ago. TheySolar investment because Ms. GarciaA biotech lawyer at 37 years old and her husband, a venture capitalist wanted to do their part in fighting climate change.
The GarciasWe are not pioneers. AboutAccording to the report, solar power is available to one in 10 state utility customers. California SolarAnd Storage Association.
SoThe GarciasThey were shocked at their utility Pacific Gas & ElectricThey would not be able to use the panels fully.
TheThe problem is that rooftop solar panels can generate more electricity on sunny days then is being used in the local neighborhoods where they are located. ThatElectrical transformers regulate and direct electricity in a neighborhood. If they are overloaded, they can shut down or explode. SuchInstalling newer transformers with greater capacity can help to avoid problems.
Barry CinnamonThe chief executive of Cinnamon Energy SystemsThe company that installed the panels on the Garciahome, said that such problems were far too common. “My experience and understanding of the way utilities do things is they just wait until the neighborhood is overloaded and then the transformer blows up,” Mr. Cinnamon said.
PG&E apologized for the delay in upgrading the transformer outside the GarciaIt can take up to six months for workers to complete the task if they are overwhelmed with projects.
DuringA heat wave in August2020, an aging transformer in an electrical substation downtown San JoseThe nearest airport is located at 25 miles away. Garcias live, blew up. ThatSome people were forced to live in darkness for days, while others were forced to flee their homes.
The city’s mayor, Sam Liccardo, expressed frustration with PG&E, saying the company’s dated equipment was hampering San Jose’s plan to increase the use of solar panels, electric cars and other new devices. ToTo meet its climate goals the city has already banned natural gas use in new buildings. This is the largest local government in America to do so.
“It’s an infrastructure that’s failing,” Mr. Liccardo, Democrat, said. “We’re very ambitious. The question is whether there will be a grid ready when we get there.”
Mark Esguerra, senior director of electric asset strategy at PG&E, said the company planned to upgrade a lot more of its equipment. SinceFailure in San JoseThe company replaced 400 transformers in the area of that city last year. There were 62,000 total. Santa Clara County. TheThe company stated that it supports the use solar panels by almost 600,000 of its residential customers as well as electric cars owned and operated by 360,000 customers.
“We know that our grid is going to look different in a few years,” Mr. Esguerra said.
How MuchAnd How Fast?
TheThe utility industry and policymakers face a major challenge in deciding how fast to invest in the grid, while still keeping the energy affordable.
It would cost hundreds of billions of dollars to upgrade the distribution networks across the country to meet the country’s clean energy goals, said Ben Hertz-ShargelGlobal Head of Grid Edge, a division Wood Mackenzie, a research and consultancy firm. ThatIt does not include expenditures on long-distance transmission cables and power generating devices like solar and wind farm.
Mr. Hertz-ShargelHe has personally experienced the problems with the electric grid. WhenHe was recently charging his TeslaAt his home on Long Island, the electrical equipment that connected the utility’s power line to his home became so hot that it melted.
“I’m the only E.V. on my block and even that modest use was enough to overwhelm the secondary side of the grid on my house,” he said. “It just shows how many weak links there are in the utility distribution system.”
HowHow much money utilities spend to upgrade their equipment is determined through a complex process. This involves state regulators who must approve increases of electricity rates that will pay for them.
State officials don’t want to raise rates too much because it hurts consumers and could undermine public support for clean energy, said Abigail AnthonyUtility regulator in Rhode IslandThese issues are also being studied by the chairperson of a committee at the National AssociationThis is Regulatory Utility Commissioners.
“Not only do the cars and the heating systems need to be affordable,” Ms. Anthony said, “but also the fuel, the electricity, needs to be cheap especially compared to oil, gasoline and natural gas.”
PeoplePeople who advocate for more investment claim that it will save them money and prevent the worst effects of climate changes.
ConsiderHere’s an example: IfAll 330,000 households in San JoseThe city would switch to electric cars, heat pumps, electric water heaters and stoves to replace gasoline and natural gases. According to the study, it would consume three times as much electricity. Rewiring America, a non-profit group that advocates grid upgrades as well as policies to combat climate change.
ButThe money San JoseThe group claims that the electricity bills of residents and businesses would not triple or even double. That’s because people could generate some electricity through rooftop solar panels and store that energy in home batteries. TheyYou could install smart thermostats to allow you to use electricity at lower costs, such as night. Sam CalischHead of research at Rewiring America.
Emily Fisher, a senior vice-president for clean energy at The Edison Electric InstituteAnother example was given by, a trade association representing the utility industry. Mr. BidenThe country wants half of all new cars to be electric by 2030. IfAll those cars were plugged-in during high energy usage days. Utilities would have to spend a lot for upgrades. ButIf regulators allowed more utilities lower electricity rates at night, people will charge cars when there is enough capacity.
SomeBusinesses are already looking for ways to reduce their dependence on the grid when there is high demand. Electrify America, a subsidiary VolkswagenThis company, which operates an electric vehicle charging system, has installed large batteries in charging stations to avoid paying utilities fees.
Robert BarrosaAttn: Senior Director of Sales and Marketing Electrify AmericaAccording to, eventually the company could help utilities by supplying power when it was needed and taking power when it was not.
UltimatelyAccording to a study, electrifying cars and heating equipment, such as stoves, stoves, and heaters, could save a family between $1,050 and $2,585 per year. Rewiring America. ThoseProducts are more efficient in energy and electricity tends be less expensive than comparable amounts for gasoline, heating oil, and natural gas. ElectricIt is also less expensive to maintain appliances and cars.
“Done right, money can go further toward a more reliable network,” Mr. Calisch said, “especially in the face of increased stress from climate change.”
Source: NY Times
