Beyond Baseload: California Solar Advocate Says Grid Needs Flexibility Instead Of Baseload Power

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

One of the many things I learned from a former colleague of mine (he knows who he is) is the importance of baseload power. Or, as he would say, the absolute non-importance of baseload power.

Basically, distributed resources like solar and wind make traditional electricity producers crazy. So crazy, in fact, that they say things like, “What happens if the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing? We need baseload power supplies so we can keep the lights on 24/7.”

To which Angelina M. Galiteva, founder and board chair of Renewables 100 Policy Institute, an organization dedicated to accelerating the global transition to 100% renewable energy, says, “Baloney.” (A sentiment with which my former colleague and I agree.)

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Galiteva was one of the featured speakers in a broadly titled session called “The Future of PV,” and her presentation centered on what California has done and is doing to integrate solar into the grid. And generally speaking, she said, the state has done a great job – so great, in fat, that baseload power has become a myth.

“Solar and wind aren’t a niche play anymore,” Galiteva told the audience. “Wind and solar are the norm. And as prices for storage continue to go down, integrating those resources on the grid are going to become ever easier.

“We don’t need baseload power anymore,” she continued. “What we need is flexibility. Batteries and other storage mechanisms will help us do that.”

It’s not as if Galiveta is unaware that challenges to 100% renewables exist. The “Duck Curve” is, for better and worse, real, and it’s not something that can be ignored.

“We need to figure out how to smooth the Duck Curve,” Galiteva said. “We have the resources to do 100% renewable grid – not just in California but in the entire United States. But there are ramping issues we have to deal with before that can happen. I’m confident we can get there, and I believe that time is coming soon.”

She also said the Western states need to integrate their grids entirely to help reduce the amount of curtailment. Currently, California is curtailing approximately 3% of its renewable resources. An integrated grid would provide a market for the excess power without curtailment, which would help stabilize the grid and make it more reliable for everyone.