SMUD released a draft plan for getting to zero carbon emissions by 2030.  It is probably the most ambitious energy plan in the country.  One of the big reasons is because it is looking at 100% and the last 10% is hard. For the first 90% SMUD will be relying on existing technologies like wind, solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal energy, battery storage, and demand response. They also know these technologies aren’t fully capable of achieving their 2030 zero-carbon goal. New technologies they are hoping will be developed to get the remaining 10%.  So, while SMUD is not sure what the final journey to Zero will be, they are looking at everything including technologies still in development like Carbon Capture and Hydrogen. A highlight I thought was especially interesting is their focus on Virtual Power Plants and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) where people are encouraged to have grid communicating devices.  This focus on behind-the-meter technologies could open the door to companies that can successfully aggregate rate payers for Demand Response.

Make sure you read the Full Plan and Connect with SMUD.

Here is the full board meeting Presentation