How Seattle City Light Is Planning for Increasing Energy Demands

by Siobhan Doherty , Power Supply Officer, Seattle City Light

Electrification is transforming our daily lives, and the demand for reliable and sustainable energy is rising. Here at Seattle City Light, we’re helping lead the way during this energy evolution. Our commitment to safely delivering clean, reliable, and affordable energy is unwavering, even as we face new challenges and opportunities. Let’s explore how we are preparing for future energy demands through strategic planning and technological advancements.

How our Integrated Resource Plan guides our strategy

Our Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is a comprehensive strategy designed to prepare for future energy demands while ensuring sustainability and reliability. The IRP not only fulfills our regulatory obligations but also serves as a roadmap for meeting customer energy needs over the next 20 years. Developed through public outreach and stakeholder engagement, the IRP reflects our commitment to transparency and community involvement. We file a full plan with the state every four years and a progress report every two years. Our recently completed 2024 IRP Progress Report, which is an update to the full 2022 plan, was approved by the Seattle City Council. The progress report identifies additions to our portfolio of energy resources necessary to serve load growth through 2045.?

Anticipating rapid growth

One of the progress report’s key takeaways: demand for electricity is growing significantly faster than previous forecasts estimated. Here are some examples:

• Retail demand from building electrification is growing much faster than projected.
• Transportation electrification demand has greatly increased, contributing to a higher load forecast.

This surge is driven by population growth, increased adoption of electric vehicles, and a widespread shift toward electrifying buildings for heating and cooling.

Meeting the challenges of load growth

With this rapid growth, we need to significantly expand our energy resources to meet escalating demand. The updated IRP identifies the need to add 1,825 megawatts (MW) of new resources within the first 10 years of the planning horizon (2024 to 2033). This represents a substantial increase from the 400 MW identified in our 2022 plan.

Diverse and Sustainable Energy Portfolio

City Light has long been a leader in renewable energy, with a resource portfolio that is among the cleanest and most cost-effective in the nation. Approximately 88% of our power comes from hydropower, and about 50% of that is generated by our own hydroelectric projects. However, to meet future demands, we must diversify further. Our strategy includes:

• Additional hydropower, solar, and wind: Leveraging existing infrastructure while exploring opportunities to increase production and/or procure new energy contracts.
• Batteries, storage, and transmission solutions: Integrating advanced battery technologies for better load management and renewable energy storage as well as new transmission solutions to efficiently move power to accommodate higher load demand.
• Enhanced geothermal and emerging technologies: Investing in geothermal energy and exploring cutting-edge technologies like small modular reactors, hydrogen, and fusion.

Enhancing efficiency and reliability

Energy efficiency remains a cornerstone of our approach. The IRP includes ambitious targets for additional conservation, aiming to add more than 100 MW in the first decade. We are also enhancing our grid’s reliability through investments in modern infrastructure and advanced grid management technologies.

Adapting to extreme weather

Extreme weather events, driven by climate change, are becoming more frequent and severe. These events strain our grid and increase market prices for wholesale energy. To mitigate these impacts, we are investing in:

• Advanced forecasting tools: Using sophisticated models to predict and prepare for weather-induced load spikes.
• Demand response programs: Implementing programs that allow us to manage load more effectively when demand is high, such as allowing customers to reduce or shift their electricity use during times of peak power demand in response to financial incentives, including time-based rates.
• Resilient infrastructure: Upgrading and modernizing aging assets to withstand extreme conditions.

Engaging with our communities

Our success depends on the active participation and support of our communities. Through public meetings, surveys, and collaborative initiatives, we gather valuable input from our customers and stakeholders. This feedback informs our planning and helps us align our strategies with community priorities.

As part of our commitment to a cleaner future, we are also well positioned to meet legislative requirements such as the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) and the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). These laws ensure we meet our goals of reliability, affordability, and environmental consciousness while also addressing the wider impact of greenhouse gases on our world.

Preparing Seattle’s Energy Landscape for the Future

City Light’s vision is to create a shared energy future that meets the diverse needs of our customers. Our values of environmental stewardship, operational excellence, and equitable community engagement guide every decision we make. By investing in innovative solutions and maintaining a flexible approach, we are well-equipped to adapt to the evolving energy landscape.

The future of energy is arriving ahead of schedule, and City Light is preparing to meet the challenge. Our Integrated Resource Plan provides a clear, strategic framework for navigating this complex landscape. By expanding and diversifying our energy resources, enhancing efficiency, and engaging with our community, we are ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy future for all.

Are you interested in learning more about our plans and how you can be part of this energy transformation? Visit our website to explore our initiatives, or to sign up for a free consultation with an energy advisor. Join us in this exciting journey towards a cleaner, more efficient energy future.