From Humboldt to Santa Barbara, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) provides services to 16 million Californians, with SDG&E, Bear Valley electric, Pacific Corp and SCE servicing most of the remaining residents. With almost 40 million people living in the state, getting electricity reliably out to everyone is a gargantuan task, but one that has been done fairly well for the last 40 to 50 years since the utility grid was built. However, power outages are becoming an increasingly common occurrence, impacting millions of residents in the state due to increasing instances of inclement weather and the aging grid.
Statistics make the trend a little more plain: In 2019, there were 25,281 blackout events, a substantial 23% increase from 2018. The number of utility customers affected skyrocketed to 28.4 million in 2019, marking a significant 50% surge from the previous year (BloomEnergy).
California’s average electricity customer experienced 5.4 hours of power outages in 2021, up from 4.5 in 2020 and a notable increase from the meager 1.7 hours reported in 2013. The impact of high winds in March 2023 left more than 180,000 PG&E customers in the Bay Area without power (Axios, San Francisco).
Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. acknowledges a grim reality for Californians – a likelihood of enduring blackouts for another decade as necessary updates and repairs slowly begin to take place. While they are addressing wildfire risks by trimming trees and using technology to pinpoint smaller grid areas for targeted shutdowns during fire dangers, according to then CEO William Johnson, significant improvements may take up to 10 years to materialize, indicating large-scale outages until at least 2029 (NPR).
In response to the uncertainty, Californians are turning to personal power generators. A study by MCubed reveals a 34% increase in nonresidential backup generators in the Bay Area within three years. In Southern California, deployment rose by 22% in just one year. However, generators pose significant safety risks, including carbon monoxide exposure, shock, and electrocution (calmatters).
Gasoline-powered generators, the most affordable option, range from $500 to $3,200 but come with safety risks and fluctuating operational costs. Liquid propane and natural gas alternatives offer cleaner-burning options but require specific infrastructure and have varying costs. Diesel generators are efficient but face maintenance challenges and are unsuitable for very cold climates.
Amidst these challenges, some residents are turning to renewable energy sources. Rooftop solar panels are installed on over 1.5 million California homes and structures, driven by state incentives established in 2006. A survey indicates an impressive 89.6% satisfaction among homeowners with their solar panel installations, reflecting a broader trend towards renewable energy adoption.
Contrary to misconceptions, solar and wind power represent a reliable energy solution for the state. Down in Texas during the 2019 cold snap renewables outperformed forecasts in 90% of the blackout, dispelling myths about their intermittency, and showing a promising trend for the consistency of renewables elsewhere. Renewables also performed economically, with solar and wind estimated as the cheapest sources for 91% of global electricity in 2022.
While power insecurity in California continues to rise, residents seek necessary alternatives, often overlooking possible safety risks or costs. While generators offer a temporary solution, solar provides a safer long-term and more economical option, but some people either don’t qualify or are nervous about making the leap. Whether it’s diesel, solar, or just hoping your utility will fix things, people have to get their electricity from somewhere – the question is just what are people willing to endure to get it.