The cold truth about renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest became evident over the weekend as residents received urgent messages from utility companies to reduce their energy usage or face potential blackouts. Puget Sound Energy and other utilities in eastern Washington/Idaho made similar requests as the energy demand surged due to the frigid temperatures. Unfortunately, the output of renewables, particularly wind energy, drastically dropped during this critical period. Furthermore, a gas storage facility issue exacerbated the energy supply problem. This situation highlights the need for politicians and energy activists to reassess their reliance on renewable energy, especially during peak demand periods.
According to the Bonneville Energy Administration, the electricity demand sharply rose between January 11 and January 14, driven by the freezing Arctic air settling in the region. Hydrogeneration was the primary source of meeting this high demand, supported by a steady but lower level of nuclear energy. Unfortunately, wind energy, which constitutes the majority of renewables in the Pacific Northwest, proved to be unreliable. Before the arrival of the cold air, wind production only amounted to a third of hydrogeneration. Although it briefly increased with gusty northerly winds, it eventually collapsed to near zero when the cold air settled.
To better understand the issue of wind energy collapse, let’s examine a series of surface wind maps for the region. These maps show that at 10 PM last Tuesday, there were decent winds east of the Cascades. The winds held up on Thursday as the cold air moved in with strong northerly winds. However, by 10 PM Saturday, the winds had collapsed over most of the inland regions and continued to plummet further by 10 PM Sunday. Even in wind turbine-dense areas like Ellensburg, the winds diminished significantly over the past few days.
This trend of wind energy collapse during cold waves is not unique to the Pacific Northwest; it occurs nationwide. The national statistics for the past week reveal a significant drop in wind energy generation as the cold air engulfed much of the country. The only way to compensate for the decline was through increased use of natural gas and coal.
The message from this situation is clear: renewable energy sources like wind are not reliable during cold wave situations when energy demand is at its highest in the Pacific Northwest. In contrast, hydrogeneration has proven to be extraordinarily valuable and flexible, highlighting the irresponsibility of any suggestion to reduce hydro resources. In addition, natural gas, a relatively clean source of heat, remains essential despite attempts to curb its supply or eliminate gas heating in buildings.
Looking ahead, the energy problem will only worsen as the regional population grows and more people embrace electric vehicles. Given the deficiencies of renewables, except for hydro, during both cold and warm periods, it is imperative to seriously consider expanding nuclear power. Simultaneously, we can work on improving the energy efficiency of buildings, implementing demand scheduling, and investing in better energy storage options. While there are no immediate solutions, a comprehensive approach is necessary to address the challenges posed by renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest.
While the shift towards renewables is an important global goal, it is crucial to recognize and mitigate the limitations they present during extreme weather conditions. A balanced and realistic approach to energy generation and supply will be essential to safeguard the power needs of the Pacific Northwest region while minimizing the risk of blackouts and ensuring sustainable and reliable energy access for all.
