GE Energy Consulting

Planning for economic & reliable decarbonization

Sharing our experiences planning for CO2 free systems

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Carbon-free systems:

Can we really rely on the weather?

 

The whole idea of “carbon-free” seems impossible when you realize that ~65% of our planet’s electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. However, there are examples around the world of regions integrating record levels of carbon-free wind and solar energy by utilizing numerous forms of flexibility in their system. GE Energy Consulting uses a holistic systems approach with industry partners to enable new carbon reduction milestones.

Explore global decarbonization trends and pathways for planning for CO2 free systems

 Click on a continent to learn more
North America

California 100% by 2045

Colorado 100% by 2050

Hawaii 100% by 2045

Massachusetts 100% by 2040

Maine 100% by 2050

New Mexico 100% by 2045

Nevada 100% by 2050

New York 100% by 2040

Puerto Rico 100% by 2050

Washington 100% by 2045

IRENA
(% goal) x (year)
Current Global Generation Mix
Fossil

65%

Hydro

15%

Nuclear

10%

VRE*

10%

*IRENA
Ref.: BP statistical review of world energy 2019.
*VRE: Variable Renewables (e.g. Wind + Solar).
South America

Mexico 50% by 2050

Nicaragua 90% by 2020

Costa Rica 100% by 2030

Chile 100% by 2040

Argentina 50% by 2050

Uruguay 100% by 2019

(% goal) x (year)
Current Global Generation Mix
Fossil

65%

Hydro

15%

Nuclear

10%

VRE*

10%

Ref.: BP statistical review of world energy 2019.
*VRE: Variable Renewables (e.g. Wind + Solar).
Europe

United Kingdom 100% by 2050

Germany 65% by 2035

Iceland 100% by 2019

Scotland 100% by 2020

Denmark 100% by 2035

Sweden 100% by 2040

(% goal) x (year)
Current Global Generation Mix
Fossil

65%

Hydro

15%

Nuclear

10%

VRE*

10%

Ref.: BP statistical review of world energy 2019.
*VRE: Variable Renewables (e.g. Wind + Solar).
Africa

Angola 100% by 2050

Chad 100% by 2050

Democratic Republic of the Congo 100% by 2050

Ethiopia 100% by 2050

Madagascar 100% by 2050

Malawi 100% by 2050

Mali 100% by 2050

Mauritania 100% by 2050

Mozambique 100% by 2050

Namibia 100% by 2050

Niger 100% by 2050

Senegal 100% by 2050

South Africa 100% by 2050

Somalia 100% by 2050

South Sudan 100% by 2050

Sudan 100% by 2050

Zambia 100% by 2050

(% goal) x (year)

VisualCapitalist.Com

Current Global Generation Mix
Fossil

65%

Hydro

15%

Nuclear

10%

VRE*

10%

Ref.: BP statistical review of world energy 2019.
*VRE: Variable Renewables (e.g. Wind + Solar).
Asia

India 40% by 2030

Maldives 60% by 2020

China 80% by 2050

Fukushima 100% by 2040

Papa New Guinea 10% by 2030

(% goal) x (year)
Current Global Generation Mix
Fossil

65%

Hydro

15%

Nuclear

10%

VRE*

10%

Ref.: BP statistical review of world energy 2019.
*VRE: Variable Renewables (e.g. Wind + Solar).
Oceania

QLD 100% by 2050

NSW 100% by 2050

New Zealand 90% by 2025

Fiji 100% by 2030

TAS 100% by 2050

VIC 100% by 2050

SA 100% by 2050

WA 100% by 2050

NT 100% by 2050

(% goal) x (year)
Current Global Generation Mix
Fossil

65%

Hydro

15%

Nuclear

10%

VRE*

10%

Ref.: BP statistical review of world energy 2019.
*VRE: Variable Renewables (e.g. Wind + Solar).

US & EU

 

The whole idea of “carbon-free” seems impossible when you realize that ~65% of our planet’s electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. However, there are examples around the world of regions integrating record levels of carbon-free wind and solar energy by utilizing numerous forms of flexibility in their system. GE Energy Consulting uses a holistic systems approach with industry partners to enable new carbon reduction milestones.

Explore global decarbonization trends and pathways for planning for CO2 free systems

Several regions are >30% variable Renewables all year
2020 annual average % wind + solar energy
Average Wind and Solar Penatrations
< 20%
< 20-50%
>50%
North America Snapshots

CAISO (California Independent System Operator) 32%

PAC-E (Pacific Corp) 20%

PNM (Public Service Company of New Mexico) 32%

SPP (Southwest Power Pool) 32%

ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) 25%

Europe Snapshots

Ireland 35%

United Kingdom 35%

Portugal 26%

Spain 29%

Denmark 51%

Germany 33%

Lithuania 38%

Greece 27%

US - 2020 vs 2035

 

The whole idea of “carbon-free” seems impossible when you realize that ~65% of our planet’s electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. However, there are examples around the world of regions integrating record levels of carbon-free wind and solar energy by utilizing numerous forms of flexibility in their system. GE Energy Consulting uses a holistic systems approach with industry partners to enable new carbon reduction milestones.

Explore global decarbonization trends and pathways for planning for CO2 free systems

The N. American grid will look very different in 15 years
Regions will increasingly depend on each other
< 20%
< 20-50%
>50%
2020 Percentages of Wind and Solar Generation

CAISO (California Independent System Operator) 21%

SPP (Southwest Power Pool) 32%

ERCOT (Energy Reliability Council of Texas) 25%

Rockies Region 23%

Northeast < 20%

2035 Percentages of Wind and Solar Generation

CAISO > 50%

SPP < 20-50%

ERCOT < 20-50%

Rockies Region < 20-50%

Northeast < 20-50%

Top challenge: Over/undersupply
  • Regional coordination + transmission
  • Electrification + demand-side integration
  • Storage … pumped hydro, batteries