Webinar: August 21 Solar Eclipse: Meteorology, Planning and Operation in CA

Overview: The US experienced a total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21.  The path of totality was about 70 miles wide.  It began on the coast of Oregon and cut a diagonal path across the US, exiting on the coast of South Carolina.  Due to its large concentration of solar PV and proximity to the path of totality, California was the most heavily affected state.  This webinar will explore the meteorology associated with the event, the planning and preparations for the event in CA, the actual operations through the event, and provide some post-event reflections.  The webinar will give you an opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at this exciting event and talk with the experts.

Registration Cost: FREE

Presenters: Dr. John Zack, AWS Truepower (AWST) – He is also the President, Chief Scientist and co-founder of MESO, Inc., a company that specializes in the development and application of geophysical numerical models in a wide range of industries.  In the early portion of his 19 years with AWS Truepower he directed the development of AWST’s operational wind and solar power production forecasting system as well as the MesoMap wind resource assessment system.  He currently oversees the delivery and evaluation of operational forecasts as well as efforts to further refine the forecast system and extend its applications.   He is the author of numerous articles on atmospheric modeling and forecasting that have been published in scientific journals.

Deane Lyon, CAISO – Deane Lyon has worked in electric system operations for most of his career, spending 20+ years at Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the balance of his career at the California Independent System Operator.  His 40 years of experience includes distribution, transmission and balancing area operations (including interchange scheduling, transmission dispatch, generation dispatch, and watershed management), operations training and operations management.  He is NERC-Certified System Operator, Reliability Coordinator level.

Moderator: Mark Ahlstrom, NextEra Energy Resources