Deepening Duck Curves Accompany California's Growing Solar Capacity
☀️ Deepening Duck Curves Accompany California's Growing Solar Capacity.
As solar capacity in California continues to grow, grid operators are facing challenges related to the "duck curve." The duck curve refers to the graphed pattern of a midday dip in net load (demand remaining after subtracting variable renewable generation), followed by a steep rise in the evenings when solar generation drops off. This pattern is observed due to the increasing solar generation during the day and the reduction in conventional power plant usage. The duck curve presents challenges for grid operators in terms of balancing supply and demand in real-time, as well as economic implications for conventional power plants. However, energy storage systems, such as batteries, are being deployed to store excess solar energy during the day and release it during the evening, helping to flatten the curve. The duck curve phenomenon is not limited to California and is increasingly observed in other regions with growing solar generation.
Two years ago, California lawmakers quietly passed a complex energy bill that transformed how residents are billed for electricity.