Drawing Energy From 100% Carbon-Free Sources

Last Tuesday, California set a very audacious goal – 100% of their electricity must come from carbon-free sources by 2045. But how feasible is this?

Technology Review points to a study by MIT, which underlines the point that 100% renewable energy is extremely pricey. Because most renewables – wind and solar, especially – rely on a fickle Mother Nature, additional resources are needed. Otherwise, the energy costs become untenable – the price tag rises exponentially once the renewable share reaches 80%.

By contrast, adding “firm low-carbon resources” like nuclear power or natural-gas plants to the energy mix can slash electricity costs by 62%. And these avenues are kosher as long as we’re aiming for “zero-carbon resources” and not simply 100% renewable energy.

And it goes without saying – especially since so many of you work in this area – but reliable energy storage is vital to offset darkness and low wind speeds.

“It’s important that the policies are agnostic and flexible enough to harness whatever technologies become available to reach a low-carbon grid,” said Jesse Jenkins, a coauthor of the MIT report.

Read the whole story here: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/611987/how-california-could-affordably-reach-100-percent-clean-electricity/