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Managing oversupply
The California ISO is working to implement the state's renewable energy objectives, and supports California's leadership in a worldwide movement to decarbonize the electric sector. The ISO stands ready to integrate additional renewable energy resources onto the grid, while maintaining safety, cost effectiveness and reliability.
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Oversupply and curtailments
The shift to a clean, efficient and modern grid is essential to California's economy and its environment. This transition to a low-carbon grid provides challenges and opportunities, as the state incorporates increasing amounts of renewable energy on to the electric system. Sometimes, during the middle of the day, California's renewable resources can generate more electricity than is needed.
During these periods of surplus energy, the ISO's market automatically reduces the production of energy from renewable resources, or “curtail" generation. In rare instances, when economic bids from generators are insufficient, ISO operators manually curtail production to maintain the balance between supply and demand.
While curtailment is an acceptable operational tool, as increasing amounts of renewable resources, oversupply conditions are expected to occur more often. The ISO is seeking solutions to avoid or reduce the amount of curtailment of renewable power to maximize the use of clean energy sources.
Wind and solar curtailment by day
Production and curtailment data
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Solutions
There are several promising concepts and technologies being explored to minimize oversupply and curtailment including:
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Integrated energy policy report workshop May 12, 2017
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