California officials are actively working to address the challenges that the electric grid faces as it moves away from gas-powered technology. The California Energy Commission recently made a decision that focuses on systems and equipment used to power swimming pools.
The new California pool equipment laws will take effect in 2025
By September 2025, new pool equipment sold by California will be required to have controls that optimize the energy consumption during off-peak hours.
Andrew McAllister is the lead commissioner of appliance standards. He stated that swimming pools are the biggest energy user and cost for Californians in the residential sector. McAllister says that managing the demand for these pools is important to grid reliability.
Justin Wiley Vice President of Government relations for the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance emphasized California’s position as a leading state in terms of number of swimming pool. He said that California has over 1.3 millions in-ground swimming pools with over 15,000 pools added each year.
Wiley described the new standard as “a positive step in helping consumers save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” The regulation is aligned with California’s larger objective to make up to 7,000 Megawatts of electricity accessible through energy-efficient technology. According to California ISO, one megawatt is enough power for 750 homes at once.
McAllister emphasized that technologies adapted to energy use during non-peak hours not only contributes to demand management, but also assures cleaner energy sources. California, which does not have a federal standard on flexible-demand technologies sees an opportunity to innovate in this field.
McAllister said that California could optimize its use intermittent, but cleaner, sources such as solar and wind by using energy at cheaper and more convenient hours. The state wants to adopt flexible demand technologies in various sectors to improve the overall reliability.
McAllister, who highlighted the importance of clean electricity for a future with zero carbon emissions, emphasized the necessity to adapt to new electric loads which were previously non-electric.
Wiley noted that California was the first state with which the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance had collaborated on a standard. He expects that other states will use California as a model for similar measures and closely observe the process.
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