It is ineluctable, society will eventually redefine reliability and fully embrace green options. "Technology and the pendulum of policy will change things." It is often said that "society will never trade the reliability of fossil fuels for green options...
Utilities such as We Energies in Wisconsin must reassess their relationships with customers as the tide turns toward renewables. In order for Wisconsin to be 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050, adoption of a community solar bill in Wisconsin must happen. The shift towards renewable energy and storage is becoming increasingly normalized, and as this occurs at the residential level, we will naturally see a more decentralized utility model emerge.
This presents an opportunity for We Energies to reshape its approach and operate in partnership with its customers in a way that is mutually beneficial. However, this transition does not come without its challenges.
At the heart of the matter are two key issues: one rooted in the old paradigm, and the other in the new. The older system, while reliable, is simply that - old. The cost of maintaining, sustaining, and developing new projects within this framework does not align with our evolving goals and objectives for a sustainable future.
The new challenges lie in operating within a more diversified energy system. Our current grid is not designed for two-way traffic, and with the fluctuations, variability, and volatility in energy flow, managing frequency becomes a significant hurdle. Federal agencies like FERC and interstate power management bodies recognize this challenge in the new energy generation ecosystem.
There are many viable solutions, however. Battery storage, for instance, is a promising avenue. Understanding different battery chemistries can lead to innovative solutions for short-term, mid-term, and long-term energy storage needs. Other approaches also hold promise.
In essence, bridging between the old and the new, the past and the present, requires cooperation and innovation. As we focus on the old, believing natural gas and coal to be our only reliable options, we should ask ourselves: how reliable are they really in the face of an evolving energy landscape and changing consumer demands?
The path forward requires us to embrace change, innovate, and work together to ensure a sustainable and reliable energy future for all.
The Politics: Bill 226 is being advanced by Wisconsin Republicans?
"In another example, people who lean right on the political spectrum are sometimes less open to engaging in eco-friendly behaviors because they associate them with a liberal political ideology. In the United States, for example, Republicans were less likely to buy a compact fluorescent light bulb that they knew was more energy-efficient than an incandescent bulb when it was labeled “Protect the Environment” than when that label was missing."