To reach our goals, we rely on a diverse portfolio of technologies that harvest energy without the carbon cost. On the Central Coast, we are uniquely positioned to be a leader in this transition.
●Solar Energy: Solar remains the most accessible path to decarbonization. From residential rooftops to community solar arrays, photovoltaic (PV) technology turns our 280+ days of SLO sunshine into clean electrons. Modern solar panels are now over 20% efficient, and the cost of solar energy has dropped by nearly 90% over the last decade.
●Offshore Wind: Our local waters are home to some of the most consistent and powerful wind resources in the country. Floating offshore wind technology allows us to capture energy far off the coast, beyond our primary surf breaks and viewsheds, while providing a massive source of steady, carbon-free power for the state.
●Geothermal & Tidal: While still developing, these technologies offer the promise of "baseload" renewable power, energy that is available 24/7 regardless of weather conditions.
●A Note on Nuclear: While nuclear energy is not a "renewable" resource like the sun or wind, it is a zero-carbon power source. Nuclear has a role in providing steady baseline power that could eventually transition us toward a 100% clean energy future, provided it is managed with the highest safety and environmental standards and several of its current technological challenges are solved.
The sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow at the same time we use the most power, we need a supplemented system.
●Battery Storage: Lithium-ion and emerging long-duration storage technologies (like iron-air or flow batteries) act as the "ocean swell" of the grid, holding energy when production is high and releasing it during the "evening ramp" when demand spikes.
●Smart Grid Modernization: Our current grid was designed for a one-way flow of power. A "Smart Grid" uses digital technology to allow for two-way communication between the utility and the consumer, automatically balancing supply and demand and making our local energy system more resilient to wildfires and extreme heat.
While clean energy tools are a massive improvement for our climate, they still require resources to build and maintain. Our mission at the San Luis Obispo chapter is to ensure that as we transition, we do so with a full lifecycle analysis mindset that truly protects our ocean, waves, and beaches.
