Conference Presentation, Keynote, Panel
California Leading the Future of Energy #CALeading
- The Milken Institute plans to devise global solutions to real-world problems, addressing funding gaps for issues such as malnutrition and clean energy in Africa while anticipating philanthropy's growing role in climate change, education, and pandemic flu.
- Jane Wells anticipates discussions on negative carbon footprint products, a potential carbon deficit, and Orange County initiatives to convert methane into plastic, alongside Socal Edison's presentation on meeting stringent California regulations.
- Harry Atwater outlines a Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis initiative aiming to recycle carbon dioxide into fuels, with a target to drive the global carbon intensity to zero within 30 years and ensure all new energy generation is carbon-free within three years.
- Socal Edison forecasts an 80% clean energy electric generation mix by 2030, requiring a doubling of zero-carbon delivery in Southern California over the next 12 years and the electrification of up to one-third of new space and water heating.
- To meet the two-degree scenario, the outlook predicts 7 million passenger vehicles (approx. 24% of the light-duty fleet) and transitioning medium heavy-duty trucks to electricity by 2030, supported by cities like Paris and Los Angeles banning gasoline-powered vehicles in portions of the city.
- Meeting these goals necessitates expanded charging infrastructure at homes, businesses, and existing gas stations to reduce range anxiety, with collaborations expected between electric utilities, automakers, and energy giants like BP and Shell.
- The transition aims to reduce the transportation sector's 39% GHG emissions and improve air quality, doubling energy efficiency in homes and businesses to ensure California meets its 2030 goals, assuming the continuation of the cap and trade program through 2030.
- While the average electric customer may face a $22 monthly bill increase, this is projected to be offset by lower usage of gasoline and natural gas, resulting in an overall net benefit to the economy and communities.
- Technical solutions include leveraging cheaper midday solar power and utilizing storage to integrate renewables, relying on pricing designs to align vehicle charging with peak solar supply.
- Mark Haramont highlights New Light Technologies, whose methane-to-biodegradable-plastic process won the 2014 Popular Science Innovation of the Year, as a key example of turning methane emissions into valuable products.
- Successful execution depends on starting immediately, forming cross-industry partnerships, securing significant and speedy infrastructure investment, and receiving timely decisions from legislators and regulators.