Ekins, Paul; (2023) The future is electric. In: Stopping Climate Change: Policies for Real Zero. (pp. 116-145). Routledge: London, UK.

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Abstract

All scenarios of deep decarbonisation see an important role for electricity provided by low- or zero-carbon sources (nuclear or renewables). Most such scenarios see a very great expansion of renewables (mainly solar and wind) and, to a lesser extent, nuclear. These sources of electricity are much less flexible than the fossil fuel generation that they are replacing. Renewables are dependent on time and place – they are not always available and different places have different amounts of sunlight and wind. This has important implications for many aspects of electricity provision, which are explored in this chapter. Energy storage becomes critical for those times when renewables are not available and for balancing the electricity system when there are fluctuations in supply or demand. Interconnection between the grids of different countries can help smooth out the different availabilities of renewables in different countries. Electricity networks may need extending to bring distant renewables to centres of demand, or to facilitate the local generation and consumption of renewable electricity. And electricity markets will need adjusting to ensure that consumers are able to benefit from cheap renewables.

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