LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In a state renowned for its automotive prowess, Michigan faces a power predicament that could leave residents in the dark. The latest report from MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator), a system operator responsible for managing the electric grid across much of the Midwest, paints a grim picture: Michigan doesn’t have enough juice to meet its own needs.
Resource gap: a stark reality.
Dubbed the “resource gap,” this deficit between available electricity supply and the burgeoning demand in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula is as stark as a dead battery on a frosty morning. Even the Upper Peninsula isn’t spared, finding itself in a similarly dim situation, albeit under a different division of MISO territory.
The numbers don’t lie. MISO’s 2023 Regional Resource Assessment shows Michigan’s supply of electricity falling short of expected demand by multiple gigawatts. The quantity supplied simply can’t keep pace with what’s needed. The consequence? Blackouts.
The shift to unreliable energy sources.
So, what’s zapping Michigan’s energy supply? According to MISO, blame it on the switcheroo from reliable energy sources to less dependable ones. The electric companies, under the insistence of the Democratic party, are swapping out controllable, dispatchable resources for weather-dependent, non- dispatchable types like wind and solar in a bid to shrink their carbon footprint. But this shift is like playing roulette with the power grid – increasing the risk of reliability issues faster than a lightning strike.
Because of politics, state regulators and utilities are collaborating to switch from coal (and sometimes natural gas) to wind and solar power, even though these alternatives can’t fully meet the state’s energy needs.
The push for clean energy.
Michigan Democrats, along with the governor, have mandated that the electric companies transition to 100% clean energy by 2040 under their “MI Healthy Climate Plan.” This requirement is part of a broader legislative package signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2023, aimed at making the state carbon neutral by 2050.
A senior MISO representative didn’t mince words when testifying to Congress about the situation. The organization highlighted how these weather-dependent energy sources are about as reliable as a cheap extension cord – great when the weather cooperates, but as flaky as a loose connection during a storm.
The reliability at risk.
The MISO representative said, “Certain resource attributes – such as the ability to start up expediently, ramp output up or down quickly, and produce electricity at a high volume for long periods
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of time – are required to maintain reliability. Those attributes have historically been provided by the traditional resources that are now being retired at an accelerating pace, and very few planned new generators possess them. Because planned retirements continue to outpace planned additions, the regional reliability risk remains.”
Additional issues.
In addition to blackouts caused by a lack of power, there are additional issues affecting the power of Michiganders which include “brownouts.” What is a brownout? A brownout is a drop in voltage in an electrical power supply system. Unlike a blackout, which is a complete loss of power, a brownout results in a partial reduction in voltage. This can cause lights to dim and can affect the performance of electrical equipment. Brownouts can be intentional, to reduce the load on the electrical grid, or unintentional, due to issues such as high demand, equipment failure, or other problems within the power supply system.
Call to action.
MISO’s Regional Resource Assessment serves as a neon warning sign. It’s not just a report; it’s a wake-up call wrapped in electrical tape. The assessment urges immediate action, emphasizing the urgent need for more investment and regional cooperation in energy planning.
It’s clear that meeting Michigan’s ambitious decarbonization goals requires more than wishful thinking and solar panels – it demands a strategic overhaul of how we power up. It underscores the critical need for a balanced approach to energy transition – one that doesn’t leave us sitting in the dark when the sun goes down or the wind stops blowing.
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