Electric energy generating wind turbines are seen on a wind farm in the San Gorgonio Pass near Palm Springs, CaliforniaPhoto: David McNew (Getty Images)
Itll take a lot to transition the U.S. off fossil-based energy: money, political will, labor. But a new report shows it wont take new technological innovation. The study, published in the journal Joule last week, shows U.S. electricity demand can be met with currently available carbon-free tech, like solar panels and wind turbines. And we can do it in just seven years.
Waiting for a unproven technology like next-generation nuclear power or carbon capture plants wont save us from the climate crisis. The work needs to start now and the new study shows the tools are at the ready, and theres no time to waste given, the study notes, the short time frame for power-system decarbonization and the long development times for new technologies and supply chains.
The authors, both researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, modeled what it would take for utilities across the entire nation to move their electricity capacity to currently existing renewables, like solar, wind, and hydrothermal, backed up with short-term battery storage. They found that theres no need to wait for any moonshot technologies. The whole plan could rely solely on proven technologies of which 1 gigawatt of capacity has already been deployed.
The findings also show that the best way to move the country to 100% carbon-free energy is to implement a nationwide plan, rather than taking a state-by-state or regional approach. This would allow the states to take advantage of electricity being generated outside of their immediate vicinity, thereby allowing developers to only build out clean power plants in the areas where theyre best suited. That would also reduce the need for storage. Though implementing the plan would require more transmission infrastructure, that would ultimately be cheaper than locally generated power and storage.
G/O Media may get a commission
Currently existing statewide decarbonization plans like renewable portfolio standards, and regional plans like multi-state utilities climate pledges, could be scaled up to meet the challenges of a clean energy transition. But the authors modeling shows that its cheaper to work across these divides.
Inter-state coordination and transmission expansion reduce the system cost of electricity in a 100% renewable U.S. power system by 46% compared with a state-by-state approach, from $135 per megawatt hour to $73 per megawatt hour, they write.
They propose having the federal government guide the creation of regional carbon-free grids. These could power their surrounding areas as well as send power to other parts of the country. For instance, wind turbines in Texas could produce enough power to fuel the Southeast while the mid-Atlantic could use solar power from sunnier Florida and hydropower from rivers that flow across Maine. The plan would also make all regions more resilient to changes in the weather that can affect generation.
While the whole Northeast might be cloudy or calm on a given day, that same day might be sunny in the southeast or windy in the midwest, Patrick Brown, a postdoctoral researcher at the MIT Energy Initiative who co-authored the study, wrote in an email.
This strategy would also maximize intermittent energy sources (or ones that rely on particular environmental conditions to run, like the suns position or levels of windiness) by putting them in the places where they would run the best. And again, we have the technology to do thiswe wouldnt even need longer-lasting batteriesthan the ones we already have, though they might be nice.
We definitely do not conclude that we should stop doing [research and development] on new low-carbon techs; if new storage or nuclear technologies are developed they could reduce costs even further, Brown said. The point is just that we shouldnt wait for new techs, but should instead rapidly deploy wind and [solar] in conjunction with significant amounts of new transmission.
The authors dont claim implementing this plan would be easy. It will take a lot of work. But all of that work also means tens of millions of new jobs, and thats a good thing, especially considering how many have been laid off by the failing fossil fuel industry and how many are struggling with unemployment amid the covid-19 pandemic. These existing forms of sustainable power have also proved resilient to economic hardship like the fallout of the covid-19 pandemic, which hit fossil-based energy industries hard. A recent report even found that by the end of 2020, global renewable power capacity will increase 7%.
Personally, I find the study comforting. I prefer knowing we have to fight for deploying existing technologies at a massive scale rather than banking it all on a riskier bet of something currently fictional to be created. And considering leading scientists warnings that we need to transform the entire global economy in 10 years to ward off catastrophic climate change and environmental degradation, we dont really have time to waste.
See the original post:
We Already Have the Technology to Decarbonize U.S. Electricity - Gizmodo
- Technology Synonyms, Technology Antonyms | Thesaurus.com - January 7th, 2017 [January 7th, 2017]
- Information technology - Wikipedia - January 7th, 2017 [January 7th, 2017]
- Technology and Electronics Reviews - USATODAY.com - January 7th, 2017 [January 7th, 2017]
- Technology Forum - reddit.com - January 7th, 2017 [January 7th, 2017]
- Technology: Industries: PwC - January 22nd, 2017 [January 22nd, 2017]
- National Education Technology Plan - Office of Educational ... - January 22nd, 2017 [January 22nd, 2017]
- Technology News - The New York Times - January 24th, 2017 [January 24th, 2017]
- Computer Business Review - Computer Business Review - January 24th, 2017 [January 24th, 2017]
- Technology - Pogue's Posts Blog - The New York Times - February 2nd, 2017 [February 2nd, 2017]
- What the Tech: Neuro-Bio Monitor Technology - KFDX - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Globalization failed too many people. Here's the technology that could help it work for everyone - Quartz - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Bill Nye forecasts next 50 years, says we're at a technological crossroad - Digital Trends - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Interview with Matt Nix about his new Fox show APB. - Slate - Slate Magazine - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- In This Year's Super Bowl Of Technology, Intel Led The Way With A Sky Full Of Drones - Forbes - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Learning From Last Year: Technology Funding Outlooks For 2017 - Forbes - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Ossia hires new CEO to help commercialize its wireless charging technology - GeekWire - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Microsoft's AI group debuts customizable speech-to-text technology, rapidly expanding 'cognitive services' for ... - GeekWire - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- A flare for self-destruction: How technology is the means, not the cause, of our demise - National Post - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Broadcaster dangles new technology for Winter Olympics - Reuters - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- These Four Black Women Inventors Reimagined the Technology of the Home - Smithsonian - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- How 3D and Self-Design Will Change Technology - Huffington Post - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Factory Boss Says Fishing Technology Could Improve Controversial US Border Wall - Voice of America - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Republicans Aim to Kill Election Technology Standards Agency - Gizmodo - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Solutions replace technology as the focus at ISE 2017 - Installation International - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Five Rules That Define The Technology Innovator - Forbes - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Three Ways That Digital Technology Can Help Chemical Producers - Forbes - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Cinematographers Deploy Innovative Technology to Create Better Images - Variety - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- How Technology Transforms Dreamers Into Economic Powerhouses - Forbes - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Coming technology will likely destroy millions of jobs. Is Trump ready? - Washington Post - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Mysterious $5 Billion Biotech Moderna Hit With Legal Setback Related To Key Technology - Forbes - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Berlinale: Jury Talks Up Art But Politics and Technology Enter Discussion - Variety - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Opinion: Harry Boxer's stocks to watch: biotechnology and technology - MarketWatch - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Nasdaq plans venture arm to invest in financial technology: sources - Reuters - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- A modern-day Rosie the Riveter campaign: Women in technology - The Hill (blog) - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- A growing concern: Technology and transportation - Florida Today - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Top 10 Mobility Technologies Market by Technology & Geography - Global Forecast to 2022 - Yahoo Finance - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Volvo melds technology and luxury in the XC90 T8 hybrid - Engadget - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- CEFC warns against risky investment in 'clean coal' technology - The Guardian - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Scientist calls for industrial scale-up of greenhouse gas-eating microbe technology in UK - Phys.Org - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Software company introduces game-changing technology for Michigan Realtors - HousingWire - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- New laser technology enables more sensitive gravitational-wave detectors - Phys.Org - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Why Quotient Technology Inc. Stock Surged 21% Higher on Friday - Fox Business - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- How Technology Is Improving Influencer Marketing (And Can Help Improve Your Brand) - Forbes - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Hands-on: EVGA's sensor-laden iCX technology revolutionizes ... - PCWorld - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- New Ground Technology uses digital graphics on turf - Golf Channel - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Facing State System review, Cal U to emphasize science and technology - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- International Game Technology: A Lottery Bet That's Paying Off - Barron's - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Our seas have become a plastic graveyard - but can technology turn the tide? - Telegraph.co.uk - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Technology identifying fastest checkout lanes comes to metro - KCCI Des Moines - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- This Technology Could Be a Game-Changer for the Marijuana Industry - Fox Business - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Editorial: Higher education and technology are job creators, so why is the governor cutting their funding? - STLtoday.com - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- BLAEDC: Entrepreneurs find a technology-friendly home in the Brainerd lakes area - Brainerd Dispatch - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- Small cell technology is large endeavor for state - Crain's Cleveland Business - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- Eye tracking technology will change these 4 domains - The Next Web - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- The technology fixing Britain's parking problem - The Independent - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- Tim Cook: Augmented Reality is as big of a technology as the smartphone - BGR - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- How technology is encouraging society to be stupid - The Next Web - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- IBM Adds Voice Help to Cybercrime-Fighting Watson-Powered Weaponry - Campus Technology - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Market Higher As 4 Key Steel, Technology Stocks Top Buy Points - Investor's Business Daily - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- A look at North Korea's missile launches and technology - ABC News - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- The CFO Imperative: Next-Gen Technology Drives Cost Optimization - Knowledge@Wharton - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Technology puts 'touch' into long-distance relationships - Phys.Org - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- A New Angel Investing Platform Connects Deep Technology And Science Startups With Capital - Forbes - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Formula 1 now capable of 'internet' broadcasts with new technology - autosport.com - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- How dangerous is technology? - OUPblog (blog) - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Apple's Eddy Cue says technology companies have a responsibility to combat fake news - Recode - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Valentine's day: what's your secret technology crush? - Naked Security - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Parents and technology How much is too much? - WGBA-TV - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Is Magic Leap Lying About Its Acid Trip Technology? - Vanity Fair - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- BYU-Idaho dedicates and showcases new Science and Technology Center - LocalNews8.com - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Even Indian technology entrepreneurs think they are living in a ... - Quartz - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- 3 tips for regulating our kids' technology use - The Herald-Times (subscription) - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Don Cunningham column: Technology giveth, and it taketh away - Allentown Morning Call - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Warren Buffett's Increasing Passion For Apple And Technology - Forbes - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- DNA technology gives new face to decade-old cold case - The San Diego Union-Tribune - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Can Technology Really Solve China's Healthcare Crisis? - Forbes - Forbes - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Emerging technology is keyword: Demand for experts in robotics & big data up 50% - Economic Times - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Five technologies that will change how we live - Financial Times - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Football League agrees to use goalline technology in Championship - The Guardian - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Telecom operators navigate three technology transformation options - TechTarget - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]