This installment of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL’s) Tell Me Something Grid series features Paul Denholm, senior research fellow of model engineering and a grid analyst of nearly 20 years at NREL. Denholm shares how we can count on a reliable grid with more renewable and clean energy.

People rely on 24/7 access to reliable electricity to power our homes, businesses, and communities. There is a lot of planning and operations to ensure the lights stay on.

At NREL, we have learned a lot about a renewable-based power grid, and there is no inherent reason why renewables cannot help keep the lights on. We have already demonstrated the ability of the grid to maintain reliable operation with high levels of variable renewable energy.

To support energy system stakeholders with understanding the complicated world of reliable grid planning and operations, we developed a package of resources that explains different aspects of reliability. The package includes fact sheets on reliability of the current power grid, causes of the recent major blackouts and what is being done in response, and maintaining a reliable future grid. We also developed additional background information on the fundamentals of power grid reliability and clean electricity. You can dig into as much detail as you want, but it really boils down to 10 things to know about the U.S. power grid—and they might surprise you.

1. The U.S. grid is very reliable. The average U.S. customer loses power less than two times per year for a total of less than five hours, which represents 99.95% reliability.
2. Almost all outages are due to issues on the distribution system. As opposed to the bulk system, which brings power to larger areas, the distribution system is a local system of power for individual consumers. The cause of an outage typically is not related to the bulk power system and takes place within a mile or two of your house, like a tree limb falling on a local power line.
3. The grid is designed so that any individual generator or transmission line can fail, and the grid stays online seamlessly. This design is achieved through various measures, like multiple pathways for electricity to flow and backup power reserves. This design enables the U.S. power grid to quickly adapt to a generator or transmission line failure, even without a momentary loss of power.
4. The power grid in the United States almost never loses power due to insufficient generation. We almost always have enough generation capacity to meet demand on the hottest days and coldest nights—and with capacity to spare. Reliability is maintained in part by interconnecting large parts of the United States and sharing resources across large regions.
5. The two biggest outages due to lack of electricity supply in the last 20 years occurred in 2021 and 2022 due to extreme cold temperatures that impacted most all generating equipment—most significantly, natural gas. The fuel supply and generating units were not ready for extreme cold, and power planning scenarios did not anticipate this chain of events.
6. Regulations at the state, regional, and federal levels support and require individual utilities or grid operators to maintain grid reliability. That includes regulations of how and when a power plant can be retired. In order to retire a power plant, a utility or grid operator must have sufficient replacement electricity generation—regardless of the source—to ensure the reliability standard is met. These standards help ensure reliability while more wind and solar are added.
7. Solar and storage can play an increasing role in maintaining reliability. A combination of solar power and energy storage does a really good job of providing reliable capacity during hot summer afternoons and is one of the largest sources of new capacity for meeting peak demand.
8. Some parts of the grid already operate with high levels of wind and solar generation, achieving a maximum hourly generation fraction of 70%–90% in grid regions such as California, Texas, and the central United States. This has demonstrated the ability to maintain operational reliability with new approaches and practices.
9. The role of conventional fossil fuel plants will likely transition from being a source of capacity-plus-energy to a source of capacity. That means a fossil fuel plant will not run constantly but only when necessary, such as during short periods of very high demand or low wind and solar generation. This enables us to achieve very, very deep decarbonization (80%–90% clean electricity) through building new clean electricity, storage, and transmission while using the existing fossil fleet as needed for reliability purposes.
10. Utilities are now proposing to achieve very deep decarbonization and integrate large amounts of wind and solar as part of their business plans that meet regulatory requirements to maintain reliability. These are in part emerging out of utility planning efforts that take account of and manage reliability challenges.

The future grid will not look the same as today’s power grid, but it can still maintain the reliable electricity that powers our lives.

https://www.nrel.gov/news/program/2024/top-10-things-to-know-about-power-grid-reliability.html

Puerto Rico’s economy is starting to rebound. After officially exiting bankruptcy in 2022, Puerto Rico’s economy is on track to grow by 1.8 percent in 2024. One obstacle, however, is the ongoing effort to restructure Puerto Rico’s beleaguered and deeply indebted electricity company, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA). The company suffers from a legacy of mismanagement and under-investment. Puerto Rico’s government has proposed solutions to promote investment in renewable energy, improve service quality, and trim PREPA’s debt obligations. A meeting is set for bondholders to agree on PREPA’s future on March 4, 2024. Over the medium term, PREPA needs to implement a plan to achieve financial sustainability and guarantee quality service for residents and businesses. In order to get a sense of what’s ahead for Puerto Rico with regards to PREPA, I reached out to Tom Sanzillo, the Director of Financial Analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

Nathaniel Parish Flannery: What are the biggest problems PREPA faces right now?

Tom Sanzillo: More than six years after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico’s electrical system interruption index is 11 times higher than in the United States. Residents endure frequent blackouts and voltage fluctuations that fry appliances. This stems from more than a decade of underinvestment, and a long history of mismanagement.

The process of rebuilding the grid is critically important. To its credit PREPA has a sound plan which maximizes renewable energy saving money and cutting emissions.. This objective is key to a balanced budget. In a good year the fuel budget can be 30 to 40 percent of total outlays and in a bad year 60 percent. Fuel costs are at the root of budget deficits.

Unfortunately, the implementation of renewable energy is plagued by PREPA’s history of mismanagement. The goal of 40 percent renewable energy by 2025 is very far from being met. Today renewable energy is less than 10 percent.

On top of this, PREPA is bankrupt, with more than $10 billion owed to its creditors. Economic projections for Puerto Rico suggest low or no growth. PREPA can assist economic growth by improving the grid and reliability and keeping rates as low as is humanly possible. The no growth environment means the customer base cannot absorb increases in the rates. There is no room to pay legacy debt which produces no improvement in the system.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanielparishflannery/2024/02/13/can-puerto-rico-rebuild-its-electrical-utility/?sh=48dfe5061325

As the demand for energy increases around the world, so too does the need for reliable and cost-effective power sources. Diesel power generators are one such solution – providing efficient, steady, and on-demand energy when the need arises. For more than a century, these workhorses have proven their worth, even as advancements in alternative energy sources are unveiled. The future of diesel fuel is bright, and generators will continue to play a vital role across a variety of industries.

Reliable Power In An Unsettled Landscape

Despite the worldwide push to invest in alternative fuel sources, the increasing number of grid failures and power outages across the globe has made the future of diesel secure. The infrastructure to collect and transport this resource is already in place, and the high cost of shifting away from diesel engines has ensured the continued use of diesel generators for a long time. Compared to other power sources, a diesel power generator is simple, reliable, responsive, and cost-efficient.

• Reliable and efficient – diesel generators are known for their reliability and efficiency, making them a popular choice for a backup power solution.
• Cost-effective – unlike other power generation solutions, diesel power generators are more cost-effective, especially in locations where connecting to the grid is not an option.
• Widely available fuel – diesel fuel is widely available and easy to transport, making diesel power generators convenient to use.
• Low maintenance – diesel gensets are relatively simple to service, with straightforward operating systems that require minimal maintenance to keep them in good working order.

For today’s most reliable generators, look no further than Turnkey Industries. Shop our collection of new and used generators today!

Looking Toward The Future Of Backup Power Systems

While the future of power generation is uncertain, one thing will not be changing any time soon – the world needs a steady, reliable backup power solution for power during a grid failure or other emergency. The future of diesel fuel figures heavily into this scenario. As the world shifts toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, diesel power generators are evolving to meet the changing times.

• Emissions reduction – diesel generator manufacturers are working to develop cleaner and more environmentally friendly models to meet stringent emissions regulations.
• Increased efficiency – manufacturers are also working to improve the efficiency of diesel power generators to make them more energy-efficient and cost-effective.
• Integration with renewable energy sources – as technology improves, diesel generators are being used in hybrid energy solutions with solar and wind power to provide a reliable and consistent supply of energy.

By improving the efficiency and reducing the emissions of diesel power generators, manufacturers are securing the future of diesel fuel and ensuring that diesel generators will play a crucial role in the power industry well into the next decade.

Trends Within The Diesel Power Generator Industry

In a world where technology is constantly evolving, many industries are experiencing significant advances. Diesel power generators are no exception and have been undergoing significant improvements while rapidly evolving. Today’s industrial generators pack a mean punch – between 35 and 3,000 kW of power. Two of the most significant technologies being adopted for generators of all makes and models are discussed below:

• Smart and connected generators – smart technology is everywhere and has infiltrated the power sector, too. Modern generators are now equipped with intelligent sensors and control systems that allow operators to remotely monitor and manage a generator. This connectivity alerts operators to routine maintenance issues, minimizing downtime and keeping the generator in peak working condition. Smart generators can also be integrated into broader energy management systems to optimize power distribution and usage.
• Hybrid and multi-fuel generators – while diesel fuel is one of the most affordable options for backup energy sources, flexible fuel options are becoming popular. Hybrid generators, which can run on a combination of fuels like diesel, natural gas, and even renewable sources, are now being introduced. These generators add a layer of security to a backup power supply during fuel shortages or price spikes, providing flexible options to keep the lights on at all times.

The Future Of Diesel Is Now

Diesel power generators have played a critical role within the power generation industry for more than a century. With all of the advancements that have been made to improve the efficiency of generators as a backup power source and to comply with ever-changing regulations, the future of diesel generators is almost guaranteed. Stay tuned for the ongoing evolution of this industry, as manufacturers work to produce efficient and innovative diesel power generators that will keep our country running.

What Does the Future of Diesel Generators Look Like?

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/preparing-for-increased-electrical-demands-for-health-facilities-in-developing-countries-due-to-covid-19-301071544.html

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf