Flexibility: can California conquer the next phase of renewables integration?

The dream of a power grid that is equal parts reliable, affordable, and clean maybe one of the 21st century's greatest ambitions, and no economy is blazing the trail faster than California. Between its 50% state renewable portfolio standard, aggressive greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, and energy efficiency mandate, California has some of the strictest environmental policies on the books. And these policies are progressively getting more stringent with a potential move towards a 100% RPS. These mandates, which have already pushed an unprecedented number of renewables onto the grid by US standards, have introduced a new set of operational challenges. System operators are currently preparing for consequences such as renewable curtailments and flexible backstop needs in order to keep the system reliable. However, the prospect of a system that is both reliable and clean to the level that California has mandated, is simply unattainable without battery and grid edge support.