Another angle on the transformer bottleneck is the role that Distributed Energy Resources play in the grid. Behind The Meter resources like Solar Panels and Batteries reduce the load (electricity consumption) that has to be sent from the substations. The DERs also export surplus electricity from one house to another in the same distribution circuit. Without these DERs the impact of the backlog of transformers would be even bigger.
The role of the Distribution Grid is often under appreciated. Unfortunately, most utilities do not emphasize it, for multiple reasons.
It is hard to quantify without data from the IOUs and they are not sharing. Actually, right now, PG&E is in the middle of blaming high prices to distributed solar. Sigh...
Here in California we are schizophrenic. The California Energy Commission is very gun-ho (all new buildings must have solar panels and most must have batteries). The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) relies on DERs to operate the grid. But CPUC keeps pushing them down.
Thanks for writing this article.
Another angle on the transformer bottleneck is the role that Distributed Energy Resources play in the grid. Behind The Meter resources like Solar Panels and Batteries reduce the load (electricity consumption) that has to be sent from the substations. The DERs also export surplus electricity from one house to another in the same distribution circuit. Without these DERs the impact of the backlog of transformers would be even bigger.
The role of the Distribution Grid is often under appreciated. Unfortunately, most utilities do not emphasize it, for multiple reasons.
Great point, I had not thought about the role DERs play in reducing transformer demands. Thanks for commenting, Eduardo!
It is hard to quantify without data from the IOUs and they are not sharing. Actually, right now, PG&E is in the middle of blaming high prices to distributed solar. Sigh...
Here in California we are schizophrenic. The California Energy Commission is very gun-ho (all new buildings must have solar panels and most must have batteries). The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) relies on DERs to operate the grid. But CPUC keeps pushing them down.
Great article Alex! Easy to understand and informative!
Thanks Allison, glad you liked it!