California ISO Hits All-Time Peak of More Than 97% Renewables

Source: | · T&D WORLD · | April 22, 2022

Electric grid breaks another record, giving glimpse of zero-carbon future.

Source: T&D World

In another sign of progress toward a carbon-free power grid, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) set a new record on April 3, when 97.6% of electricity on the grid came from clean, renewable energy.

The peak, which occurred briefly at 3:39 p.m., broke the previous record of 96.4% set on March 27, 2022. Before that, the grid’s record for clean power was 94.5%, set on April 21, 2021. The new milestone comes as the ISO integrates growing amounts of renewable energy onto the grid in support of the state’s clean energy goals.

“This new record is testament to the hard work and collaboration of many people, from policymakers to system operators,” said Elliot Mainzer, president and CEO, ISO. “While these all-time highs are for a brief time, they solidly demonstrate the advances being made to reliably achieve California’s clean energy goals.”

Ashutosh Bhagwat, chair of the ISO Board of Governors, said the new record is a tribute to California’s ambitious policy goals on climate and clean energy.