Renewables Strengthen the Grid in Frigid Weather

Bitter cold has been no stranger to Indiana in recent winters and this year is no exception. It’s a good time to review some of the myths about wind and solar – like the one that renewable energy not doing their part during winter storms. That’s simply not true. Not at all.

Solar and wind energy are positive parts of the winter energy mix. That’s the real story, not just hype some people want you to believe.

Misinformation spread after North Carolina’s Christmas power shortage and rolling blackouts. Opportunists blamed renewables, that’s their habit. They should have looked at the facts. 

The Carolina utility said it “lost generating capacity from coal- and gas-fired power plants just when it was needed most. …about 10% of its capacity.” Troubles included frozen instrumentation in coal plants, frozen feeders at coal plants, gas pressure problems – several fossil-fuel issues hit at once.

Solar and wind energy are positive parts of the winter energy mix. That’s the real story

The utility’s gas-powered output fell by more than 30% during that time; its coal output by more than 20%. Meanwhile the small amount of solar (just 7% of electrical generation) performed “as expected”. Doesn’t sound like a problem.

The utility could not buy power from its neighbors, either. Those states needed the energy. That’s why the Carolinas were fortunate to have some renewables in their energy mix to keep the shortage from being worse. North Carolina is fourth in total installed solar power generating capacity. That had to help during the crisis.

Similar story in the Tennessee Valley Authority service area. While a massive coal plant went offline because of frozen instruments, the wind and solar on their system performed consistently throughout the storm.

Traditional fossil fuel plants did not pull Texas out of the ditch in 2021’s polar plunge, either. A University of Texas energy expert said, “…having more natural gas power plants wouldn’t have helped us because we can’t get gas to the ones we have right now.”

Why mention this now? Indiana is right in what is often the coldest part of the winter for us. Minus 1 degree on January 30, 2019; minus 15 January 6, 2014; and drumroll, minus 36 at New Whiteland on January 19, 1994.

When it gets cold, what do we do? We prepare and we layer-up – sweater, coat, scarf. We add layers of protection to stay warm – a diverse mix some might say.

The same should go for electricity; power generation must be ready for cold weather. We need a diverse mix of energy generation that includes wind and solar which have proven time and time again to be reliable and consistent through winter storms.

Renewable electricity warms up some really cold places. Renewables, including wind and solar, generate the largest share of Minnesota's electricity. In Nebraska, wind is more than one-fourth of the state’s total net generation.

Renewable energy adds power, add choice, and diversifies. Hoosiers need more renewables. “The accelerated expansion of renewable energy and storage, resources without the risks the fossil fuel system brings during extreme cold, can increase grid reliability when the temperature drops,” said the energy research group, Rocky Mountain Institute.

Hoosiers, don’t buy the hype of anti-renewable activists. The facts are otherwise. Hoosiers can add layers of energy security by deploying solar and wind energy.