Energy Assurance
Alternative energy technologies can provide a measure of assurance of continued electricity supply at times when it otherwise might be threatened. Threats to uninterrupted electricity can occur at peak usage times. They also can occur when disasters, such as massive grid failures or hurricanes, occur.
In some circumstances, renewable energy technologies can be more reliable than other forms of electricity. For example, solar electricity systems can be used for disaster mitigation, response and recovery. Renewable energy technologies such as generators powered by photovoltaics (PV) can supply electricity if the grid fails. Often the sun comes out in the immediate aftermath of a devastating storm. It can take weeks to repair the electricity grid and restore power to all customers. As long as the sun shines, however, rooftop or building-integrated PV can produce electricity on-site, despite downed wires. If battery storage is added to the system, it can supply electricity even after the sun goes down or through several cloudy or stormy days.
In California, policy makers minimized economic losses during the 2001 energy crisis by supporting and funding energy efficiency programs. The $1.3 billion that California taxpayers and ratepayers invested in energy efficiency and demand response programs in 2001 is favorable compared to the estimated $2 billion to $20 billion in potential losses from rolling blackouts that were avoided — in addition to savings associated with avoided wholesale power purchases.
Another lesson from the California crisis is the power of energy-conserving behaviors and customer-sited energy efficiency measures. When Californians were asked to reduce their energy use voluntarily, they complied — reducing load requirements significantly within weeks and easing the crisis accordingly. For more information on this response to the California crisis, see the Web site of the National Conference of State Legislatures.