I'm not qualified either, however, we can see from [1] that in southern states summer energy use jumps like crazy--almost all because of AC--peaking when solar production drops to about half around 6pm [2]. Given that humidity affects both the efficiency of AC, and personal comfort (sometimes I run the AC just to dehumidify), and the fact that it's only going to get hotter with GW, and more humid (because warmer air can hold more water), targeting AC efficiency is a BFD.
I posted to here because (a) government lab, so has some credibility, and (b) getting feedback from the HN community who might have informed opinions about it.
Your second citation does not show AC peaking at 6, it shows Solar and Wind use averages over time of day.
I don’t know when AC use peaks but total use tends to peak before 6PM while residential use peaks in the morning and evening [1]. Solar does fall off around then and rather suddenly for any given longitude. But what you see with the duck curve (slouching midday prices with a 6PM peak) in California is reduced grid demand. Grid demand is not the same as energy use because of behind the meter generation (e.g., rooftop solar). The duck curve shape is caused by replacement energy use from solar not reduced energy use.
Thank you. My second citation was to show that solar availability in summer drops by about 6. My assertion about peak AC was based on your citation. Actually, I thought that I had linked to it in my post. My intention was to link to the other two and that one; somehow that got lost; a case of too many tabs, maybe.
I posted to here because (a) government lab, so has some credibility, and (b) getting feedback from the HN community who might have informed opinions about it.
[1] https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=36692
[2] https://jrenewables.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40807...