Law question-The US electrical grid
The US electrical grid is vast and complicated. We can all flip a switch to turn on the lights, but don’t appreciate the huge infrastructure that gives us light, heat, and all of the electronics we rely on every day (and right now if you are reading this!) Here are some resources to consider the grid:
- California Independent System Operator: Today’s Outlook (Links to an external site.)
- Notice that you can see the renewable sources contributing to the grid at any given time. Look at the “net demand” graph at the bottom, which shows you how much of current demand is met by renewables wind and solar.
- Oregon Department of Energy, Biennial Energy Report: By the Numbers (2020)
Explore the resources and consider:
- What are the costs and benefits to society of adding more renewable energy to the grid? What can we change about the grid to get the benefits and overcome the costs?
- How do regulatory interests balance shorter term safety, reliability, and costs with longer term environmental impacts in the electricity sector?
- What further questions do you have about the electrical grid for our future?
Requirements: As above
Answer preview:
word limit:359