Economics & Policy . Energy Supply . Society
Why we need net-zero emissions scenarios for mid-century
On 27.04.2021 by Gianfranco GuidatiOur goal is not to predict the future, rather to shape it. Net-zero scenarios for the energy system help us do that. Although they deliver only a blurred view of the future, they allow us to guess the shape of things to come, and most importantly to formulate actions for today that will put us on the right track.
Carbon Removal . Consumer Behavior . Economics & Policy . Energy Supply . Society
Let’s pay more attention to the co-benefits of Switzerland’s decarbonization targets
On 19.04.2021 by Massimo Filippini, Florian Landis, Gustav Fredriksson, Jonas SavelsbergTo help keep global warming in check, Switzerland has committed to a net-zero emissions target by the mid-century. The required energy transition will likely give rise to costs, but it will also yield large co-benefits in terms of, for instance, improved health outcomes from less pollution. These benefits from the energy transition are, however, often overlooked. We argue that to take sound decisions related to the energy transition, it is important to consider all the associated costs as well as benefits.
The role of seasonal energy storage in decarbonizing the energy system
On 12.04.2021 by Ivalin Petkov, Paolo GabrielliEnergy storage is required to reliably and sustainably integrate renewable energy into the energy system. Diverse storage technology options are necessary to deal with the variability of energy generation and demand at different time scales, ranging from mere seconds to seasonal shifts. However, only a few technologies are capable of offsetting the long-term (seasonal) mismatch between renewable generation and energy demand. Here we outline the role and potential of seasonal energy storage to decarbonize the energy system.
Society . Uncategorized
A voice from exile – Life after Fukushima
On 07.04.2021 by Bessie NollFutaba, host of the Fukushima prefecture TEPCO Daiichi nuclear power plant, was evacuated in March, 2011. It has since remained empty. Only recently reopened to the public, Futaba now resembles that of a forgotten ghost town, waiting quietly for life to resume. For Matsueda Atsushi, a once proud Futaba resident, a return home is ridden with doubt and unease.