Dr. Leah Stokes discusses achieving 100% clean electricity by 2035. Topics include clean electricity standards, zero-carbon grid, decarbonizing electricity, challenges of transitioning to renewables, land footprint of solar energy, and moonshot solutions for a carbon-neutral grid.
Transitioning to clean energy for electricity is feasible with policies like clean electricity standards.
Decarbonizing the electricity sector can have a ripple effect on emission reductions in other industries.
Advancements in renewable energy technologies offer potential solutions for achieving a sustainable electricity transition by 2035.
Deep dives
President Biden's Ambitious Plan for Carbon-Free Electricity by 2035
President Joe Biden aims to achieve a 100% carbon pollution-free electric sector by 2035, an ambitious goal pushed by climate advocates. This accelerated timeline, compared to the previous goal of decarbonization by 2050, targets a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, highlighting the importance of transitioning to clean energy to mitigate climate change.
The Role of Electricity Decarbonization in Green Economy
Decarbonizing the electricity sector is a catalyst for reducing emissions across various industries by using clean power to electrify transportation, buildings, and heavy industry. Transitioning to a carbon-free grid would lead to a substantial decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, simplifying the climate change challenge and offering significant environmental benefits.
Feasibility of Achieving a Clean Electricity System by 2035
Studies suggest achieving 90% zero carbon electricity in the US by 2035 is possible primarily through wind, solar, and battery storage technologies. While the last 10% of decarbonization poses challenges, existing advancements in renewable energy could drive reliable and cost-effective solutions for a sustainable electricity transition.
Disruptive Technologies for Zero Carbon Energy
Emerging technologies like hydrogen production, geothermal energy, advanced nuclear power, and carbon capture and sequestration present potential solutions for firm power generation. These technologies, though not yet fully developed, offer promising avenues for achieving a carbon-neutral electricity grid alongside wind and solar power.
Policy Advocacy for Accelerating the Transition to Clean Energy
Policy interventions like a clean electricity standard can drive the rapid deployment of renewable energy sources and facilitate a transition to a carbon-free grid. Advocating for supportive policies at both state and federal levels is crucial for expediting the adoption of clean energy technologies and achieving long-term sustainability goals.
President Biden has set a goal of reaching 100% clean electricity in the U.S. by 2035. That means cutting all carbon emissions from the entire electricity sector in just 15 years. So... is that even possible? And if so, how do we pull it off? This week, we talk to experts who say that goal just might be in reach – if we act now.
And don’t forget to check out A Matter of Degrees, the climate podcast hosted by Dr. Leah Stokes and Dr. Katharine Wilkinson.
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Special thanks to our guests: Leah Stokes, Sonia Aggarwal, Jesse Jenkins and Chris Greig.
This episode of How to Save a Planet was produced by Rachel Waldholz. The rest of our reporting and producing team includes Kendra Pierre-Louis, Anna Ladd and Felix Poon. Our intern is Ayo Oti. Our senior producer is Lauren Silverman. Our editor is Caitlin Kenney. Sound design and mixing by Peter Leonard with original music from Emma Munger.