California's Vision for Reaching Zero-Carbon Emissions

<div>In "The 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018" the California legislature set a target of 100\% of California's electricity generated from renewable and zero-carbon sources by 2045. </div><div>The California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) and other state entities now have the task of planning to meet that target. </div><div>The California Energy Commission (CEC) has sponsored multiple studies and sought public input on the pathways that they are exploring. </div><div>A key result of that planning process is a Reference System Portfolio (RSP) based on existing and planned electricity generating capabilities, and modeled grid build out to meet the planned targets by 2045 at the lowest cost. </div><div>Although this RSP has been discussed by the CEC in a public forum, to our knowledge, it has not been presented to the photovoltaic community.</div><div>Here we document the CEC’s current RSP, with emphasis on understanding their expectations for build out of solar as well as the associated need for storage and curtailment.</div>

California's Vision for Reaching Zero-Carbon Emissions

<div>In "The 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018" the California legislature set a target of 100\% of California's electricity generated from renewable and zero-carbon sources by 2045. </div><div>The California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) and other state entities now have the task of planning to meet that target. </div><div>The California Energy Commission (CEC) has sponsored multiple studies and sought public input on the pathways that they are exploring. </div><div>A key result of that planning process is a Reference System Portfolio (RSP) based on existing and planned electricity generating capabilities, and modeled grid build out to meet the planned targets by 2045 at the lowest cost. </div><div>Although this RSP has been discussed by the CEC in a public forum, to our knowledge, it has not been presented to the photovoltaic community.</div><div>Here we document the CEC’s current RSP, with emphasis on understanding their expectations for build out of solar as well as the associated need for storage and curtailment.</div>

California's Vision for Reaching Zero-Carbon Emissions

<div>In "The 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018" the California legislature set a target of 100\% of California's electricity generated from renewable and zero-carbon sources by 2045. </div><div>The California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) and other state entities now have the task of planning to meet that target. </div><div>The California Energy Commission (CEC) has sponsored multiple studies and sought public input on the pathways that they are exploring. </div><div>A key result of that planning process is a Reference System Portfolio (RSP) based on existing and planned electricity generating capabilities, and modeled grid build out to meet the planned targets by 2045 at the lowest cost. </div><div>Although this RSP has been discussed by the CEC in a public forum, to our knowledge, it has not been presented to the photovoltaic community.</div><div>Here we document the CEC’s current RSP, with emphasis on understanding their expectations for build out of solar as well as the associated need for storage and curtailment.</div>

An Improved Coefficient Calculator for the California Energy Commission 6 Parameter Photovoltaic Module Model

This paper describes an improved algorithm for calculating the six parameters required by the California Energy Commission (CEC) photovoltaic (PV) Calculator module model. Rebate applications in California require results from the CEC PV model, and thus depend on an up-to-date database of module characteristics. Currently, adding new modules to the database requires calculating operational coefficients using a general purpose equation solver—a cumbersome process for the 300+ modules added on average every month. The combination of empirical regressions and heuristic methods presented herein achieve automated convergence for 99.87% of the 5487 modules in the CEC database and greatly enhance the accuracy and efficiency by which new modules can be characterized and approved for use. The added robustness also permits general purpose use of the CEC/6 parameter module model by modelers and system analysts when standard module specifications are known, even if the module does not exist in a preprocessed database.

Independent Assessment of the Energy Savings, Environmental Improvements and Water Conservation of Emerging Non-Chemical Water Treatment Technologies

This paper discusses the results of a project funded by the California Energy Commission Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) to complete an independent assessment of the energy savings, environmental improvements and water conservation capabilities of emerging non-chemical water treatment technologies. The project was completed by a team from California State University at Sacramento and included a technical review of the emerging technologies and a detailed assessment of the emerging non-chemical water treatment technology. Clearwater Systems, Corp. The research was focused on gathering information from industrial field customers who had purchased and installed these systems and had actual experience with their operational characteristics from several months to several years. The team completed a telephone survey with approximately 15 end user customers and made site visits to ten sites. Some limited independent water testing was also completed. The results of these phone surveys and site visits were consolidated and placed in an interim report. Even though only a small number of end user customers were actually surveyed or visited, the research indicated that several hundred systems have been successfully installed in California and throughout the United States. The emerging technologies provide nonchemical treatment for cooling tower and evaporative condenser system water. All the information collected and results derived from this effort will be made available to the public later this year in the form of a PIER Technical Report. A Project Advisory Committee that included representatives from CalEPA, the Energy Commission PIER Program and local utilities supported this team. Disclaimer: This technical paper is a result of work sponsored by the California Energy Commission and does not necessarily represent the views of the Energy Commission, its employees or the State of California. This technical paper has not been approved or disapproved by the California Energy Commission nor has the Energy Commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the information in this technical paper. Paper published with permission.