Research Shows California Could Save Billions Through Regional Power Coordination
Study from Michael Davidson found that smarter coordination between western states—trading energy and reserves more efficiently—can slash costs while accelerating the transition to renewable power.
Study from Michael Davidson found that smarter coordination between western states—trading energy and reserves more efficiently—can slash costs while accelerating the transition to renewable power.
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California recently took a major step that may move the state toward a cleaner, more reliable energy future by passing legislation that paves the way for a regional power grid organization. The move could expand access to lower-cost, low-carbon resources across the western U.S.
Research from UC San Diego’s Michael Davidson, an associate professor at the School of Global Policy and Strategy and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Jacobs School of Engineering, shows just how big the payoff could be. His study found that smarter coordination between western states—trading energy and reserves more efficiently—can slash costs while accelerating the transition to renewable power.
And that’s just the beginning. Davidson and his team also looked at deeper forms of collaboration, such as sharing resources for grid reliability and planning future generation and transmission together. The result? Potential savings topping $3 billion every year, along with faster progress toward a carbon-free power sector.
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More Power Grid Connectivity in Western U.S Could Supercharge Clean Energy
Learn more about research and education at UC San Diego in: Climate Change
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