California’s 2030 energy goals

Strategen Consulting have released an impact analysis quantifying the economic and societal impacts of California Governor Jerry Brown’s clean energy goals for 2030, which were announced earlier this year. The report includes substantial data and analysis and provides evidence that the Governor’s plan is economically sound, environmentally beneficial, and achievable.

The report

‘Impact Analysis: Governor Brown’s 2030 Energy Goals,” indicates that by 2030, 1.2 million job years will be created in construction, manufacturing, sales, service and support related to California’s new domestic energy infrastructure, as well as through the economic activity resulting from energy savings. The associated reduction in pollution will save lives, reduce healthcare costs and improve the quality of life for all Californians.

Janice Lin, Founder and Managing Partner, Strategen Consulting said, “this analysis describes in clear, quantitative terms how Governor Brown’s vision will translate to an enormous benefit in so many areas critical to public health, economic stability, energy security and quality of life. We already have the advanced technologies and technical abilities, which when combined with legislative and regulatory support are backed by forward thinking investors, will propel California to a global leadership position in energy sustainability and independence.”

Reported plan highlights

• US$51 billion in annual savings from 2030 on, or US$4000 /household each year.
• CO2 emission footprint will drop by over 102 million tpy, a reduction of 42% from 2015 levels, equivalent to planting a forest the size of Maine.
• 739 fewer deaths each year due to the emissions reductions.
• Creation of 1.2 million job years by 2030, including 870 000 job years in the wind and solar industries.
• Significantly less vulnerability to volatile fossil fuel prices, along with enhanced grid efficiency, reliability and resiliency thanks to renewable resources backed by energy storage.

These benefits are compelling and it has been voiced that state policymakers should now develop a cost optimised, long term strategy to ensure success and enable the state to realise them. The report lays out ways that innovate grid strategies and technologies that can be deployed to meet the Governor’s goal. Many of these technologies are available at the moment, with some being developed in California. All are rapidly descending the cost curve, including solar, energy storage, wind, LED lighting, and electric vehicles.

California is already on course to produce 33% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Meeting the 50% renewables target set out for 2030 will require the continuation of solar and wind installations at similar rates for another 10 years, while adding complementary resources, such as energy storage, to assist with renewable resource integration.

Conclusion

A consistent and predictable policy environment is needed to attract the private investment that will drive development of California’s future energy infrastructure. The resulting build out of energy resources and distribution systems by 2030 will require long term investments in areas such as energy storage, electric vehicles charging networks, and transmission and electricity grid infrastructure, as well as continued support for renewable generation and fuel efficient vehicles.

Edited from press release by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/13052015/california-2030-energy-goals/