California Calls to Mitigate Impact of the Eclipse

The California Public Utilities Commission has renewed its call for consumers to consider taking voluntary actions to reduce electricity use during the Great Solar Eclipse later this month. The new challenge builds on one issued this past spring when the commission warned that the timing of the eclipse could have a significant impact on solar generation production in the state. 

The commission reported that on Monday, August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will pass over the Pacific Northwest. The commission explained that while California will not experience a total eclipse, it is expected that the moon will obscure from 58% to 76% of the sun's rays from approximately 9:00 a.m. to just before noon that day. 

During that time, it said, the ability of California solar resources to supply power to the grid undoubtedly will be diminished. The commission cited data indicating that the eclipse could cause a loss of almost 4,200 megawatts of large-scale solar production. 

The commission stated that although the state has plenty of wind, geothermal, hydro, and natural gas generating facilities to assure that the grid runs smoothly as solar sources ramp down, it nevertheless was encouraging all citizens to reduce their own usage as much as possible. 

It averred that simple measures undertaken by enough individuals could be sufficient to temporarily cut system demand, thereby mitigating the impact of the eclipse. Among the recommendations made by the commission thereto were that customers 

1. turn off air conditioning (AC) units, or at least turn up the AC thermostat to a higher temperature; 
2. replace at least half of their lightbulbs with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), as LEDs use 75% less energy than standard lamps; and 
3. be a "vampire slayer," by unplugging electronics and small appliances that continue to draw power even when not actively in use. Such equipment includes computers, televisions, and coffee makers.

Lead image: NASA