Posted on 06/23/2021 12:40:50 PM PDT by Red Badger
Amid a West Coast heat wave that includes triple-digit temperatures, California’s power grid operators have called on residents to not use as much electricity so as to put less strain on the state’s beleaguered grid.
In the past week, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) told residents several times to voluntarily conserve energy, including asking them on social media to stop charging their electric vehicles (EVs) during peak usage times. The operator also warned users to “[avoid] use of large appliances and turning off extra lights.”
“This usually happens in the evening hours when solar generation is going offline and consumers are returning home and switching on air conditioners, lights, and appliances,” wrote the ISO.
And on June 18, the California Flex Alert Twitter page wrote that “now is the perfect time to do a load of laundry,” and urged residents to “remember to use major appliances, charge cars and devices before #FlexAlert begins at 6 p.m. today.”
It comes as the federal government and certain state governments—including California’s—have pushed to convert their respective fleets to electric vehicles. President Joe Biden, who was seen in May in a photo-op driving an electric version of the Ford 150, earlier this year issued an executive order and promised some $174 billion into the electric vehicles market.
And California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, last fall announced he would set 2035 as a target date for ending the sale of petroleum-powered vehicles in the state.
Newsom, at the time, predicted that “zero-emission vehicles will almost certainly be cheaper and better than the traditional fossil fuel powered car” in 15 years.
pic.twitter.com/injeLey8hW
— California ISO (@California_ISO) June 18, 2021
However, amid the push, critics have suggested that if there are too many electric vehicles in use, it could potentially put a strain on state power grids and utilities.
Patty Monahan, the lead commissioner on transportation at the California Energy Commission, said that residents should choose to charge their electric vehicles at different times to avoid overloading the power grid.
“Charging behaviors matter when it comes to California grid goals,” she told Newsweek. “By incentivizing, primarily through rates, charging behaviors that capitalize on when renewable energy is being generated—we basically have a win for the grid, and we have a win for the drivers in terms of reduced rates. Rates are a ate strategy, and California plans on using rates to help drive the charging behaviors that are going to help the state electrify transportation while cutting carbon from the grid and saving ratepayers and drivers money.”
Matthew Moniot, a researcher with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, noted if the state also increasingly relies on solar and wind power, that could pose an even more daunting challenge for power grid operators. Speaking to Newsweek, he said that less energy is produced overnight—when many electric vehicle owners charge their cars—by solar and wind.
More solar and wind power generation instead of traditional power sources, he added, will impact “how much can we move what’s currently overnight charging to be during the daytime hours, when generation may be more excessive,” Moniot said.
“When we have hurricanes, the electricity is usually off for a week or more...”
During Michael Tesla sent out a signal allowing an instant upgrade to increase the car’s range. Yes, range is limited by a software switch which can be remotely reset.
If they can do that, what else can they do? And, what power does this give the state for later use? Do you owe a fine? Well, then, your car is shut off until you pay it. (Right now, if you owe a state fine, the state takes your driver’s license away. (After you pay the fine, it takes another $450 to reinstate it.) So, don’t tell me they wouldn’t shut off your car too.)
How about a ballot referendum calling for California elected officials to run on treadmills to generate electricity during shortages. They caused the problem. They should solve it.
The law of totalitarianism: everything not compulsary is forbidden.
ROTFLMAO
🤦♀️. Am I a terrible person because I cant stop laughing about this?
That is the most hilarious headline I’ve seen in a long time. But I guess all the greenie weenies thought that electricity is “freeee” and just comes magically out of a plug whenever you want it, manufactured by fairies and unicorns.
Sometimes a reality slap in the face is the best medicine.
Get rid of the underclass,the minority groups,the Trump supporters,the sick and elderly and what have you got??? A liberal utopia....
Welcome to life in the paradise world of the Green New Deal.
Man, real life gets dumber and dumber..
The sad thing is that NO ONE will learn anything from this.
More solar, more windmills less natural gas, ZERO nuclear.
We have allowed the dumbest people on the planet make the choices for us for far to long, now we get the consequences of it.
And before the usual, “Yeah but Texas Sucks” crowd shows up, I include the folks in this state including myself, we have allowed the dumbest most corrupt people on the planet the power to make decisions for us.
They are making gas-powered cars illegal. Soon there will be one way to get around: walking.
With the left in charge, you will soon be freezing in the dark and stuck without a charge.
I feel a rush on gas powered generators coming on. How else to keep your electric ride charged up in spite of a brownout?
Yup. They want everyone in electric cars so they can effectively turn them off at will by turning off the charging stations.
Is this like the chicken egg paradox?
You know, charge the car to go to work, however, no a/c tonight. But if I don’t have a/c I won’t be able to sleep tonight. But, if I can’t sleep. How can I work? If I’m not working, then why charge the car? Decisions, decisions, decisions.....
‘peak hours’ on the electric bill start at 2pm.
California used to tell people to use electricity at night - so... people were doing laundry at 1am and running the dishwasher and charging their electric cars as they slept.
Now, we’re not supposed to use electricity at night, we need to use it during the day, when premium rates apply, even though supply is more plentiful during the day.
California craziness
““This usually happens in the evening hours when solar generation is going offline and consumers are returning home and switching on air conditioners, lights, and appliances,” ... and charging their electric car ...
totally unexpected ... who could have possibly figured this out in advance?
The law of unintended consequences raises its ugly head again!!!
California Governor Signs Order Banning Sales Of New Gasoline Cars By 2035
But it's lost on the stupid.
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