The U.S. electric grid is making significant progress to zero-carbon status, according to a report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Greenhouse-gas emissions from the electricity sector last year were 52% lower in 2020 than the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicted they would be back in 2005, the report says. Power-sector emissions fell 40% from 2005 to 2020, with much of the drop driven by cheap natural gas supplanting coal as the dominant fuel for U.S. power plants.
Further emissions cuts will require greater adoption of clean technologies such as energy storage, and that is achievable with the declining cost of solar and wind power generation, and battery storage, the report says. Low-carbon resources could reliably meet as much as 70%–90% of power supply needs at low incremental cost.
Other sectors, including the built environment, have made less progress in cutting emissions. Residential building emissions declined 29% from 2005 to 2020. Commercial building emissions dipped 32% during the same period.
Grid-interactive efficient buildings could help to make the grid more efficient by reducing the need for new supply and delivery infrastructure and providing another form of demand flexibility.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Aug 8, 2017
3D printing industry working to implement standards for products, processes
Additive Manufacturing Standardization Collective (AMSC) will develop industry-wide additive manufacturing standards and specifications.
Codes and Standards | Aug 7, 2017
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat to create standards to measure floor area
The standards will examine existing codes and regulations to find where they are too broad or contentious.
Codes and Standards | Aug 3, 2017
ASID headquarters is first space in the world to earn both LEED and WELL Platinum Certification
Washington, D.C. office is showcase for top levels of the two standards.
Codes and Standards | Aug 2, 2017
OSHA to release web-based injury and illness reporting form on August 1st
Employers can use the application to submit forms electronically.
Codes and Standards | Aug 1, 2017
Zoning that restricts housing construction also dampens other economic development
Land use restrictions reduce U.S. GDP by 9% annually.
Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2017
Five fire scenarios tested on full-scale mass timber building
Results will help inform code changes.
Codes and Standards | Jul 26, 2017
New ISO standard on video fire detectors will help identify fires more quickly
The standard marks the first comprehensive international specification for this equipment.
Codes and Standards | Jul 25, 2017
Geotechnical solutions prevent building distress due to expansive clay soils
The condition is the most common geologic hazard in the U.S.
Codes and Standards | Jul 24, 2017
Non-union labor gaining ground in New York City
President of contractors’ group says competitive pricing is spurring more open shops.
Codes and Standards | Jul 20, 2017
New tallest tower west of the Mississippi built to stringent seismic standards
L.A.’s new 1,100-foot skyscraper dominates city’s skyline.