A Balanced Energy Sector - Avoid California's Issues in Arizona

Arizona is being faced with a decision to mandate more solar for our energy portfolio, while ignoring the other clean energy sources available within our state. The ballot initiative aims for AZ electrical generators to get 50% of their power from Wind/Solar by 2030, with 20% from rooftop solar. Other clean sources such as Nuclear and Hydro are not to be included. There are some exceptions to Hydro, but they are limited and don't affect SRP in anyway, since they are not regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commision. The charts included in this article are meant to show the limitation of solar and battery storage that CA is currently faced with under similar regulations proposed by this AZ ballot initiative.

First, the chart above shows the sharp climb and drop of solar generation - a big problem for other generators who must scramble to make up the difference. That is ALOT of power coming onto the grid and leaving in a SHORT period of time. Notice the amount of power coming from battery storage . . . you can't because it's nearly flatlined. In reality, its about 35MW, which is nothing. And wind, well AZ, don't count on producing near that amount of wind in AZ. Northern AZ has a few locations, but it won't compare to what CA can produce. So essentially, we are stuck with Solar and will have to deal with the quick onset/offset of its generation by using non-clean energy sources (natural gas) to be able to compensate. Nuclear power plants were designed to be base load generators where they produce 100% of their power 100% of the time. Due to nuclear physics and current plant designs, it becomes very complicated to change power rapidly in a nuclear power plant.

This is the demand from yesterday. Peak demand typically occurs twice daily, once from 6-8am and the other from 6-8pm. During these peak demand periods, solar power is either just starting to generate or the sun is setting and solar generation is starting to die. These peak demands then must be met by either non-clean energy sources or from buying the energy on the open market, which at times can be 100X more expensive (not exaggerated). This is a pretty typical day for CA and the graph would look very similar to AZ.

This represents the GOOD from CA. It is a huge significant drop of CO2 contribution during the day. The peaks however are a huge demand on non-clean sources, that had CA had a nicer environment to Nuclear, could have been better compensated for with no CO2 output (instead they forced San Onofre Generating Station to close, and soon Diablo Canyon).

This graph also shows why you should NOT oppose renewable energy. It's viable and can have a significant impact. Just don't rush into the immediate future on it, without looking at how it impacts the rest of the industry and ignore it's limitations.

The ballot initiative would require AZ to retire the largest and cleanest energy producer in the USA, Palo Verde Generating Station. Instead of mandating a solar initiative with a timeline that currently can't be supported by grid based battery storage, support the initiative already in place at the Arizona Corporation Commission. They are currently proposing 80% clean energy, of which, nuclear power would be included. It allows for a balanced approach and preserves one of the greatest environmental and economical benefits to AZ, Palo Verde Generating Station. It was also written by politicians elected by Arizonans, not a billionaire from CA with lobby interest groups throughout the US.

NOTE: At peak solar production in CA and during low demand, due to state/federal regulation, many companies will PAY Arizona to take their power to avoid fines and collect production subsidies. This is not where we want to be in Arizona in 5 years.