Renewable Energy and Grid Reliability Go Hand-in-Hand Explains Geof Syphers, CEO of Sonoma Clean Power, on the Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast

Despite the calls for a renewed focus on grid reliability that some position as counter to the push for more renewables, the true innovators and leaders in the power sector don't see clean energy and a more reliable grid as being in conflict. In contrast, they see creative solutions that elevate both of these goals to 'greater than the sum of their parts'. One such leader in this space is Sonoma Clean Power, enacting the vision and leadership from its CEO Geof Syphers.

On this week's episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, the ways in which decarbonization, greater grid quality, and parallel pursuit of these uncompromised goals are explored in the conversation Geof brings to the table. Geof shares his firsthand experience on how systems-wide thinking and innovative approaches make these pursuits possible. For example, during this episode Geof framed the challenges in the following way:

"People are still surprised when we start these conversations to learn that the solutions to our upcoming winter reliability problem also solve all of the summer reliability problem. In fact, ideally we can wind the clock back and develop offshore wind and geothermal a decade ago because that would've solved both problems without devaluing all the batteries, which is about what we're going to do. We're going to construct a massive amount of batteries. And then within a decade, they're going to be hugely devalued as soon as we get all the base load renewables online. I think it's not the most efficient way to go about it, but we kind of have to do that.

I think it's the realization though that the base load resources are going to be super critical that's helping us get early attention into thinking about how CAISO and the regulators can accelerate transmission planning. That's really one of the core timelines that we have to hit. Oftentimes it can take four to six years to get approval to connect to the transmission grid, and that's probably going to be too long. We're probably going to need to rethink how the queue process works, how projects feed into transmission planning. For these big geothermal and offshore wind projects and probably long-term storage, they're going to need new lines most likely."

This entry into the podcasts, like all of the series episodes, can be found on all major podcast outlets, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, or it can be listened to directly on the Energy Central platform (where we also feature a written transcription if you'd prefer to read). Give it a listen and share your reaction in the comments.

Episode #110: 'Pursuing the Parallel Goals of Renewable Energy and Grid Reliability' with Geof Syphers, CEO of Sonoma Clean Power [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast]

About Energy Central Podcast Series:

The 'Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast' Series features conversations with thought leaders in the utility sector. At least twice monthly, we'll connect with a Power Industry Leader to discuss compelling topics that impact utility professionals. Some podcasts may be a continuation of thought-provoking posts or discussions started in the community by an Energy Central Community Member. Others may be with an industry leader interested in sharing their expertise and doing a deeper dive into hot topics or issues relevant to the industry.

If you want to be a guest on a future episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast, let us know! We'll be pulling guests from our community members who submit engaging content that gets our community talking, and perhaps that next guest will be you! Likewise, if you see an article submitted by a fellow Energy Central community member that you'd like to hear about in more detail, feel free to send us a note to nominate them. To contact us, email community@energycentral.com. Podcast interviews are free for Expert Members and professionals who work for a utility. We have package offers available for solution providers and vendors.

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