Unprecedented innovation across planning, policy and technology is required to achieve California’s net zero goal by 2045, according to a new paper by Edison International.
Countdown to 2045: Realizing California’s Pathway to Net Zero makes it clear the electric grid must expand rapidly and integrate new clean energy technologies, such as offshore wind, clean hydrogen, carbon capture and vehicle-to-grid connectivity, well before the deadline in 22 years.
Countdown to 2045 calls for an additional 90GW of utility-scale clean generation and around 25GW of utility-scale energy storage plus more than 15GW each of behind-the-meter solar and storage.
While AB 1279 calls for a feasibility evaluation by 2035, Countdown to 2045 identifies several feasibility challenges that must be taken into consideration quickly, before 2035, as part of the state’s ongoing evaluation of options to meet decarbonisation goals.
Through a detailed analysis into grid reliability, Edison International foresees that the state will need an unprecedented pace of clean energy infrastructure buildout.
“The stakes are higher than they have ever been for expanding the electric system to meet decarbonisation goals safely, reliably and affordably,” said Edison International president and chief executive Pedro Pizarro.
“While today’s available technologies can achieve significant reduction, policies must encourage greater investment in emerging technologies and enable more options to meet California’s net zero goal.”
Countdown to 2045 – announced at Climate Week NYC – forecasts that electricity demand will rise by more than 80%, with 90% of vehicles and 95% of buildings being electrified by 2045 to achieve California’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85% from 1990 levels.