Ensuring Energy Security in a Renewables World

Ensuring Energy Security in a Renewables World. Atlantic Council.  Ben Hertz-Shargel. February 4, 2021

Renewable sources of energy are gaining an increasing share of the US energy mix, bolstered by state-level commitments as well as corporate power purchase agreements. However, while renewables have become increasingly cost competitive, they still face challenges, especially related to intermittency and storage.

The Global Energy Center’s new issue brief, “Ensuring Energy Security in a Renewables World,” by Ben Hertz-Shargel explores the energy security implications of greater integration of renewables into the grid. The issue brief looks at intermittence and the need for flexible capacity, grid stability, long-distance transmission, and cybersecurity. Hertz-Shargel also examines the episodes of wildfires and extreme weather in the summer of 2020 and the affects of extreme weather events on a decarbonized grid system.  [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 17 pages].

Renewable Natural Gas as a Climate Strategy: Guidance for State Policymakers

Renewable Natural Gas as a Climate Strategy: Guidance for State Policymakers. World Resources Institute.  Tom Cyrs, John Feldmann and Rebecca Gasper.  December 2020

Renewable natural gas (RNG), also known as biomethane or upgraded biogas, is growing in prominence as a strategy to help achieve state climate, waste management, and other sustainability goals. However, questions remain on whether projects can be easily deployed, the extent to which they can contribute to ambitious climate and environmental goals, and the trade-offs of supporting RNG versus alternative decarbonization strategies. This paper provides comprehensive guidance for policymakers on evaluating RNG resource potential, greenhouse gas emissions impacts, and deployment and policy options at the state level. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 62 pages].

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs.  Congressional Research Service. Lynn J. Cunningham. Updated November 15, 2019

Energy is crucial to operating a modern industrial and services economy. Concerns about the availability and cost of energy and about environmental impacts of fossil energy use have led to a wide variety of federal incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency. These incentives aim to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures and to develop and commercialize renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Many of the existing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs have authorizations tracing back to the 1970s. Many programs have been reauthorized and redesigned repeatedly to meet changing economic factors. The programs apply broadly to sectors ranging from industry to academia and from state and local governments to rural communities.

[PDF format, 66 pages].

Transforming the U.S. and EU Electric Power Sectors: Workshop Report and Recommendations for Transatlantic Cooperation

Transforming the U.S. and EU Electric Power Sectors: Workshop Report and Recommendations for Transatlantic Cooperation. Center for Strategic & International Studies.  Sarah Ladislaw, Stephen J. Naimoli. August 29, 2019

Across Europe and the United States, the electric power sector is undergoing a fairly profound transformation driven by a changing fuel mix, higher penetration of renewable energy resources, changing consumer preferences and interface with the electric power system, and evolving business models. Policy and regulatory frameworks need to be updated to reflect these changes and facilitate future transformation. In both places this transformation is uneven, with some localities moving along faster than others, and complex, driven by a variety of factors. While the transformation is multidimensional, two conversations relating to the long-term vision for the sector are central to navigating a path forward. First, what are the challenges and opportunities associated with higher penetration of renewable energy and distributed energy resources? Second, what are the opportunities and challenges associated with the electrification strategies, particularly for measures to electrify transport and industry? In addition, the increased digitalization of the energy sector writ large, and specifically the electric power sector, raises issues about access to data, cybersecurity, and grid resilience, all areas that have become an integral part of the conversation in the European Union and the United States on the transformation of the electric power sector.

The following brief outlines some of the issues related to these topics that were discussed at a recent U.S./EU stakeholder workshop held at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in June 2019. The information and reflections here do not necessarily represent the views of the participants and are meant to serve as useful background to stimulate further discussion. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 16 pages].

21st Century U.S. Energy Sources: A Primer

21st Century U.S. Energy Sources: A Primer. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress. Michael Ratner. May 19, 2017

Since the start of the 21st century, the U.S. energy system has seen tremendous changes. Technological advances in energy production have driven changes in energy consumption, and the United States has moved from being a growing net importer of most forms of energy to a declining importer—and possibly a net exporter in the near future. The United States remains the second largest consumer of energy in the world, behind China.

[PDF format, 40 pages, 1.17 MB].

Using Public Lands for the Public Good: Rebalancing Coal and Renewable Electricity with a Clean Resources Standard

Using Public Lands for the Public Good: Rebalancing Coal and Renewable Electricity with a Clean Resources Standard. Center for American Progress. Jessica Goad et al. June 25, 2012.

The authors explain how a long-term phase-in of renewable energy sources and a subsequent rebalancing of fossil fuels sourced from the federal estate will help ensure that public land is used for the public good. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 44 pages, 616.6 KB].