Heavy rainfall and massive snowdrifts wreaked havoc in California last winter.

But the wild weather has an advantage: water storage reservoirs now have an abundant supply of H20

HO

however, to fuel the state’s resources, hydroelectric power plants were given this summer. Filled to the brim with abundant supplies of H2O for hydroelectric power generation.

That fact, coupled with a record expansion of utility-scale solar and battery storage, gives energy forecasters confidence that the state can avoid the potentially dangerous electricity shortages experienced in last September’s 10-day heat wave.

according to state officials at a press conference on Wednesday, May 24

.

The country’s most populous state normally has more than enough electricity to power the homes and businesses of more than 39 million people. But the power grid has problems when it gets really hot and everyone turns on their air conditioners at the same time. The states electricity grid was partially strained because of a severe drought that left reservoirs held at dangerously low levels, leaving little water available to pass through hydroelectric power plants. Water levels in Lake Oroville became so low by 2021 that government officials had to shut down a hydroelectric plant that could power 80,000 homes. That won’t be a problem this year after winter storms dumped massive amounts of rain and snow on the state. In addition, an additional 8,594 megawatts of power from wind, solar and battery storage will come online by Sept. 1, according to Neil Millar, vice president of transmission planning and infrastructure development for the California Independent System Operator, which runs the state’s power grid. One megawatt of electricity is enough to power about 750 households.TK quote from Newsom. California pushed to its limits by a relentless heat wave that broke the mold

“We are better placed than last year. We are cautiously optimistic,” said Silva Gunda, Commissioner of the California Energy Commission. State officials noted that the forecasts are based on average temperature ranges and that the weather in recent years has been anything but average. “But given the extreme wildness of climate change, you know we have to be careful as we move forward, and be prepared to support the grid.”

By supporting the power grid, he refers to California residents’ willingness last September to cut back on energy use, especially during

the

peak hours between 4 p.m

.

m

.

and 9 p.m

.

m. Without the cuts, utilities would likely have resorted to blackouts.

Meteorologists warn that this year’s El Nio weather pattern could trigger particularly severe heat waves that could again lead to electricity supply imbalances in

the

late summer.

While state officials suggested it wet

winter weather also has May

Reduce

i.e

the risk of wildfires a source of large, widespread, long-term power outages in some parts of the state this year,

the

Grass fire activity at lower elevations

can still be a wildcard. El Nio is likely to return, posing danger to California and the world. ‘We must be prepared’

Energy officials suggested Californians sign up for the Flex Alert program, which sends texts or emails with advance warnings of potential power shortages.

And officials of the California Public Utilities Commission

said suggested that

Residents

can

sign up for the Power Saver Rewards program that offers utility bill credits for reducing energy use when a Flex Alert

it is

declared.

The struggle to power the state during severe heat waves has been a problem for the Democratic government. Gavin Newsom, who has aggressively moved the state away from fossil fuels. California now gets much of its power from sources such as wind and solar. But those power sources are not always available. To prevent blackouts during heat waves, Newsom and the state legislature spent $3.3 billion to create a strategic reliability reserve. State officials used the money to extend the life of some gas-fired power plants that were about to be retired and to purchase large diesel generators. Last September, when a severe heat wave drove statewide demand for electricity to an all-time high, this reserve generated up to 1,416 megawatts of energy. Newsom will update Thursday his plan to wean the state off fossil fuels and outline a plan to meet California’s ambitious climate goals, according to a press release from the governor’s office. , located in Richmond, near the Chevron Oil Refinery in the Bay Area. The start-up company produces mobile electric battery storage packs, intended to replace diesel generators. The company receives rich state aid and a matching $15 million taxpayer-funded warehouse construction grant awaits approval from the California Energy Commission. Newsom said TK about Moxion. The governor also announced that the more than 37% of electrical power in the state came from renewable energy sources, rising to 59% when fossil-free hydro and nuclear power are included. The California government plans to increase the percentage of renewable energy to 60% by 2030 and reach 100% renewable and non-fossil energy by 2045. The Associated Press contributed to this report.