Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB X 1 2 yesterday, a bill that significantly revises California’s program and goals for energy delivery from renewable resources, moving the current 20 percent requirement to 33 percent.

“We look forward to working together with the California Public Utility Commission, policymakers and independent power producers to further our state’s clean energy future,” said Marc Ulrich, Southern California Edison’s vice president, Renewable and Alternative Power.

In 2010, Southern California Edison (SCE) broke its own record for renewable energy deliveries. SCE delivered 14.5 billion kilowatt-hours of energy from renewable resources to its customers, representing 19.4 percent of its total energy portfolio. Also, in 2010:

• SCE signed 58 contracts for 852 megawatts of renewable power. These contracts have the potential of providing 2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity — enough for more than 300,000 average-sized homes for a year.
• Alta Wind in Tehachapi, Calif., brought 300 megawatts of wind power online to serve SCE customers. When fully operational in 2015, Alta will be able to deliver up to 1,548 megawatts of power.
• Under an SCE contract, Ridgeline Energy began delivering wind power in September from Goshen, Idaho. At its peak, the project will provide about 125 megawatts of power.
• The utility now has 11 rooftop and ground-mount solar stations serving customers, with a combined peak generating capacity of 24.5 megawatts, under SCE’s solar rooftop photovoltaic program.
• SCE finalized a $25 million U.S. Department of Energy stimulus grant to develop and conduct a comprehensive demonstration of lithium-ion battery storage for energy generated by wind projects. Because wind is an intermittent resource, and the electricity grid needs a steady flow of electrons to provide power reliably and safely, energy storage is one solution that may help foster more wind and solar projects. The grant matches $29.9 million in funding provided by SCE and its partners, including a $1 million California Energy Commission grant, resulting in a total project cost of $54.9 million.

SCE purchases of renewable energy, which began in the 1980s, can deliver up to 3,720 megawatts of electricity, including:

• 2,057 megawatts from wind.
• 956 megawatts from geothermal.
• 383 megawatts from solar.
• 123 megawatts from biomass.
• 201 megawatts from small hydro.