US hydro electricity output hit by heatwave

Hydroelectricity was one of the key non-carbon sources in 2007 in US, which supplied at least 27 states, but now only 19 states are using it, while, a significant growth in solar and wind output was witnessed where solar is most prevalent in at least 16 states. The use of batteries and photovoltaic electricity power increased in the last few years due to interoperability features. The interconnection between electricity delivering units allows states to generate and supply power to other states as well.  In US, out of total 72 per cent hydro – output is generated in Washington itself.  But the advancement in technology is able to provide hybrid mechanisms, which will be able to deliver more at a low cost. Some experts believe the cost of replacing dams can be just $1 a month to the customers and in some regions; such technologies can easily replace dam powered systems.

Recent years had a growth in wind sourced power where the projection for 2019 and 2020 show a growth that will surpass other sectors. It has been the 2nd largest source in 6 US states where the energy source can be bought online and some states are using it as one of the key source. Wind produced 36 per cent in 2017, but in 2018, its share increased to 42 per cent and coal share was 35 per cent.  Biomass is behind hydro and largest generation of such energies can be seen in Maine, which accounts for 2 per cent of total.

California produces highest solar power, where it accounts for 16 per cent of the total, whereas, in 2017, natural gas was producing 41 per cent and hydro electricity 20 per cent in the state.

Output reduced due to heat wave

This year non-carbon energies were widely affected by drought conditions. California was hit by nasty draught, where the water reservoirs were affected severely. More water in rivers increased the level of electricity generating abilities but this year some of the biggest water reservoirs such as the Shasta, was only 49 per cent full, which reduced its electricity producing abilities. The year had one of the longest and hottest summers and the grid remained stressed during the season.

In 2014, the total power produced by the facility was 17 million megawatt, which was one-third of the total in 2011. The low output was able to fulfill 2.8 million lesser number of homes in 2014 as compared to 2011, due to lower rains.  This year the situation worsened where the total output was less and natural gas was required to fulfill the extra demand.  Similar, problems were witnessed at Colorado River dams.

Overall investments in clean energies have been able to reduce carbon emissions by more than 28 per cent, since 2005, where mixed fuel energy generation methods are mostly used. In US, the total CO2 emitted was 1744 million metric tonnes, in 2017, which is lowest since 1987. US electricity demand reduced in seven of the last ten years where the industrial demand reduced significantly and residential as well as commercial remained subdued.

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