New RAEL-UC Merced-UCSD-UNC Publication on the future of energy storage
For the publication, click here.
For Cleaner, Greener Power, Expand the Definition of “Batteries”
Search Results for 'energy'
A panel data analysis of policy effectiveness for renewable energy expansion on Caribbean islands
Accelerating the rate of renewable energy deployment in Small Island Developing States is critical to reduce dependence on expensive fossil fuel imports and meet emissions reductions goals. Though many islands have now introduced policy measures to encourage RE development, the existing literature focuses on qualitative recommendations and has not sought to quantitatively evaluate and compare the impacts of policy interventions in the Caribbean. After compiling the first systematic database of RE policies implemented in 31 Caribbean islands from 2000 to 2018, we conduct an econometric analysis of the effectiveness of the following five policy interventions in promoting the deployment of RE: investment incentives, tax incentives, feed-in tariffs, net- metering and net-billing programs, and regulatory restructuring to allow market entry by independent power producers. Using a fixed effects model to control for unit heterogeneities between islands, we find evidence that net-metering/net-billing programs are strongly and positively correlated with increases in installed capacity of renewable energy - particularly solar PV. These findings suggest that the RE transition in the Caribbean can be advanced through policies targeting the adoption of small-scale, distributed photovoltaics.
Evaluating cross-sectoral impacts of climate change and adaptations on the energy-water nexus: a framework and California case study
Electricity and water systems are inextricably linked through water demands for energy generation, and through energy demands for using, moving, and treating water and wastewater. Climate change may stress these interdependencies, together referred to as the energy-water nexus, by reducing water availability for hydropower generation and by increasing irrigation and electricity demand for groundwater pumping, among other feedbacks. Further, many climate adaptation measures to augment water supplies—such as water recycling and desalination—are energy-intensive. However, water and electricity system climate vulnerabilities and adaptations are often studied in isolation, without considering how multiple interactive risks may compound. This paper reviews the fragmented literature and develops a generalized framework for understanding these implications of climate change on the energy-water nexus. We apply this framework in a case study to quantify end-century direct climate impacts on California’s water and electricity resources and estimate the magnitude of the indirect cross-sectoral feedback of electricity demand from various water adaptation strategies. Our results show that increased space cooling demand and decreased hydropower generation are the most significant direct climate change impacts on California’s electricity sector by end-century. In California’s water sector, climate change impacts directly on surface water availability exceed demand changes, but have considerable uncertainty, both in direction and magnitude. Additionally, we find that the energy demands of water sector climate adaptations could significantly affect California’s future electricity system needs. If the worst-case water shortage occurs under climate change, water-conserving adaptation measures can provide large energy savings co-benefits, but other energy-intensive water adaptations may double the direct impacts of climate change on the state’s electricity resource requirement. These results highlight the value of coordinated adaptation planning between the energy and water sectors to achieve mutually beneficial solutions for climate resilience.
March 11, 2021 — Harvard Club of San Francisco: “Clean Energy in 2021 and Beyond”
For the video of the talk, click here.
The link is: http://hcsanfrancisco.clubs.
The Q&A was the most fun, ... for that jump to the 36:01 minute mark ...
A community based approach to universal energy access
In this paper we present an alternative approach to addressing the problem of energy poverty. The private and community ownership in electricity factors of production, economic calculation, and the incentive for innovation through the price mechanism are discussed. A brief analysis on how this new approach can be used to address energy access problems in energy poor communities is done. Cases studies of the Nigerian off-grid mini-grid industry and the Ecoblock pilot project in California in the United States are discussed.
January 27, 2021 RAEL Lunch: “Charting innovation in energy storage”
Dan Kammen will lead the RAEL lunch this week where we will focus on both materials science and operational innovations in energy storage, both focused on l0ng-term energy storage (a project we are doing with Prof. Sarah Kurtz at UC Merced, Prof. Noah Kittner at U. of North Carolina, and Prof. Patricia Hidalgo-Gonzalez of UC San Diego). We will also focus on the interactions of storage technology designs and markets, as highlighted in the reading for this session, the report we just issues with Accenture: You can read the report summary and download it here: click here. and for references the link is: https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/utilities/energy-storage-net-zero-path
The International Move to Zero-Carbon Energy Services
Evaluating cross-sectoral impacts of climate change and adaptations on the energy-water nexus: a framework and California case study
October 26, 2020 — Grist, “Trump Administration Buries Clean Energy Reports”
For the original October 26, 2020, article by Peter Fairley in Grist, click here.
October 19, 2020 — BERCShop 2020: “Energy is on the Ballot”
Dan Kammen is the Founding Director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory, and a professor in the Energy and Resources Group, the Goldman School, and the Department of Nuclear Engineering. He served as Science Envoy in the Obama Administration, and previously served as Chief Technical Specialist for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the World Bank.
Jeremy Harrell is the Managing Director for Policy at ClearPath, whose mission is to develop and advance conservative policies that accelerate clean energy innovation. To advance that mission, we develop cutting-edge policy and collaborate with academics and industry. An entrepreneurial, young, strategic nonprofit, ClearPath (501(c)(3)) partners with in-house and external experts on nuclear, carbon capture, hydropower, natural gas, geothermal, energy storage and energy innovation to advance our mission.
To register: click here.