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Category: Advanced Energy Systems

Of actors, cities and energy systems: advancing the transformative potential of urban electrification 5/6/2021

Of actors, cities and energy systems advancing the transformative potential of urban electrification

Patricia Romero-Lankao, Alana Wilson, Joshua Sperling, Clark Miller, Daniel Zimny-Schmitt, Benjamin Sovacool, Chris Gearhart, Matteo Muratori, Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian, and Daniel Zünd write about how the electrification of transportation and the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) with buildings connected to clean grids has been touted as one of the key solutions to the global decarbonization challenge. Cities are on the frontlines of current and future electrification, as they depend on and drive electricity generation, distribution, and use.  May 6, 2021.

The U.S. Government Can Accelerate Investment Managers’ Contribution to Global Carbon Emissions Reduction 5/4/2021

The U.S. Government Can Accelerate Investment Managers’ Contribution to Global Carbon Emissions Reduction

Payne Institute Researcher Brad Handler and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how climate change has emerged as arguably the single most important driver for long-term investment performance. Broad swaths of the economy are currently impacted by the physical risks of climate change (e.g. from extreme weather), and transitional risks to lower-carbon sources of energy. May 4, 2021.

Biden’s conundrum: Expand EVs without harming the Earth 4/30/2021

Biden’s conundrum: Expand EVs without harming the Earth

Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian contributed to this article about President Biden’s plan to rapidly shift to electric vehicles and renewable energy could find itself in conflict with another, less prominent commitment: improving the sustainability of the mineral and metals sector.  April 30, 2021.

Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership (GGFR) 4/28/2021

Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership (GGFR)

The World Bank with research support from the Payne Institute Earth Observation Group released their world gas flaring overview. GGFR has now published estimates from satellite data, which show that global gas flaring declined by 5% in 2020. Oil production dropped from 82 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2019 to 76 million b/d in 2020, as global gas flaring reduced from 150 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2019 to 142 bcm.  April 28, 2021.

New US climate pledge: Cut emissions 50% this decade, but can Biden make it happen? 4/22/2021

New US climate pledge: Cut emissions 50% this decade, but can Biden make it happen?

Payne Institute Advisory Board Member David Victor and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how President Joe Biden announced an ambitious new national climate target at a livestreamed summit of world leaders on April 22, 2021: He pledged to cut U.S. carbon emissions in half by the end of this decade and aim for net zero emissions by 2050. The new goal is a big deal because it formally brings together the many different ideas on infrastructure, the budget, federal regulatory policy, and disparate actions in the states and industry for transforming the U.S. economy into a highly competitive, yet very green giant. April 22, 2021.

The quest to put carbon to rest at sea 4/22/2021

The quest to put carbon to rest at sea

Payne Institute Program Manager Laura Singer contributed to this article about how the Earth’s ocean acts as a global climate regulator, and scientists are increasingly studying its chemistry and geology to find potential ways to store carbon dioxide captured from emissions or removed from the air.  Oceans are bearing some of the brunt of the climate change.  April 22, 2021.

He pioneered research into how fossil fuels are shocking our oceans. Now he has Bill Gates’ ear 4/22/2021

He pioneered research into how fossil fuels are shocking our oceans. Now he has Bill Gates’ ear.

Payne Institute Advisory Board member Ken Caldeira is featured in the Reuters Hot Lister on his long career as a groundbreaking researcher on global warming.  But Caldeira’s most profound influence in science may be as an adviser, be it to students or to one of the world’s richest men, as billionaires fund climate research.  April 22, 2021.

Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2021 edition 4/20/2021

Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2021 edition

Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian contributes to the World Economic Forum‘s Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2021 report on how as countries continue their progress in transitioning to clean energy, it is critical to root the transition in economic, political and social practices to ensure progress is irreversible. The Energy Transition Index, which benchmarks 115 countries on the performance of their energy systems, finds that while 92 of the countries increased their score over the past 10 years, only 10% of countries were able to make consistent gains, showing the need for renewed focus and resilience to meet the climate goals of the next decade. April 20, 2021.