Celebrating 100 days of 100% renewable electricity in California

On July 10th, 2024, experts and advocates came together for “100 Days of 100% Renewable Electricity.” The conversation, facilitated by Johanna Neumann, senior director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy at Environment America, highlighted the steps taken by California’s clean energy advocates and decision-makers to meet electricity demand with 100% renewable electricity for a portion of so many days. The panel of experts also discussed the future of clean energy policy in California and how we can power our lives with 100% renewable energy 24/7, 365 days a year.

A Renewable Electricity Milestone

In his opening remarks, Steven King, clean energy advocate at Environment California, introduced the clean energy milestone that California advocates have been working towards. Renewable sources, such as solar, wind, and water, have met 100% of the state’s electricity demand for a portion of 98 days during the spring and summer, so far. 

With summer heat hitting California in full force, increased electricity demand has slowed the steady progress towards 100 days of meeting electricity demand with renewables. Still, there is ample cause for celebration. Dr. Mark Jacobson, professor and director of Stanford’s atmosphere and energy program, highlighted the groundbreaking progress that helped propel California to this milestone. Despite the continuing heat waves increasing air conditioning demands, there has been an average of 4.5 hours per day of 100% clean energy or more over the span of 125 days starting this spring. There was a net increase of 12% in wind, water, and solar energy. Along with this, the spring saw an over 40% decrease in gas usage over the electric grid, a tremendous feat.

Dr. Jacobson also highlighted how offshore wind development can help fill in the gaps to improve renewable electricity output on the grid. Offshore wind can act as a complement to solar energy, because it blows around the clock, peaking at night when solar production stops. In a promising development for offshore wind,  the California Energy Commission also adopted the Assembly Bill 525 Offshore Wind Strategic Plan on July 10. This strategic plan sets the stage for responsibly developing offshore wind resources along California’s coast to power more than 25 million homes annually by 2045, and to contribute to future renewable energy milestones. 

California is not the only state that’s achieving incredible renewable energy progress. The states that are currently leading the charge in generating renewable energy get generate much of their energy from wind power. Dr. Jacobson rates California at number 11 in its effectiveness at integrating wind, water, and solar into the grid. South Dakota, according to Dr. Jacobson, supplied 99.5% of its grid with just wind and hydro power from the second quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024.

Renewable sources like offshore wind and rooftop solar are paramount in reducing our need to burn dirty and dangerous fossil fuels for energy and significantly cutting California’s global warming pollution. 

How We Got Here

California is beginning to reap rewards from its forward-thinking investments in renewable energy, and we must not slow down now. Renewable energy milestones are just beginning. Dan Jacobson, Environment California’s senior advisor, pointed out the challenges that occur when trying to enact a paradigm shift in California’s energy policy. A key part of the process is setting ambitious goals and creating benchmarks to achieve those goals. Collaboration with stakeholders is key for legislative clean energy progress and allowing bills like AB 525 to pass in the first place.

Looking Forward

There are many opportunities for continued renewable energy growth in 2024 and beyond. Maintaining rooftop solar growth is key to meeting growing electricity demand, cutting pollution and boosting community resilience. Steven King highlighted SB 1374, a bill that will keep rooftop solar growing by allowing community buildings such as schools and apartment buildings to use their own on-site solar energy to save on utility bills. 

Policy plays an important role in how these technologies are developed and deployed. California’s renewable energy progress demonstrates that we have the ability to power our lives with abundant, clean, renewable energy. Now we just need the continued resolve to keep pushing for 100% renewable energy, 24/7, every single day of the year.