A total (United States) transition from business as usual (BAU) energy to wind-water-solar
(WWS) by 2050 would result in the doubling of electricity demand but would reduce total end-use
energy demand by 57% compared with BAU [1].
Energy costs would be approximately 63% less under a WWS scenario (or approximately 86% when
the reduced climate and pollution-related health care costs are included).
Reductions in end use energy demand are mostly due to moving from natural gas air and water
heaters to heat pumps, from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles (EV) and
the elimination of the need to mine conventional fuels.
Not only is less energy required with 100% WWS and storage compared to BAU fossil-fuel
generation, the energy will, on average, cost less: 11% less in California; 21% less in New
York, 27% less in Texas and 1.5% higher in Florida.
Mark Jacobson has come under criticism for being overly optimistic in his assertions that a
transition wholly to renewables can be managed. A group of 21 academics (Clack et al.)
published a paper outlining flaws in Jacobson's methodology [2]. Jacobson promptly sued for $10 million, then withdrew his suit [3]. He published a rebuttal to the 'errors' pointed out in Clack et al., which "are
demonstrably false." [4]. The significance of the 'errors,' if any, remains slight. A main contention is that
Jacobson does not use nuclear power, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and bioenergy to reach
his goal of a 100% renewable and reliable grid.
References:
[1] 'Zero air pollution and zero carbon from all energy at low cost and
without blackouts in variable weather throughout the U.S. with 100%
wind-water-solar and storage' (Accessed on 19th November, 2023)https://web.stanford.edu/group/efmh/jacobson/Articles/I/21-U . . .
Transitioning to 100% WWS and storage in the US will provide a net increase of up to 4.7
million permanent jobs [1]. This transition is far more aggressive than those the Paris agreement calls for but are
still technically feasible.
Reference:
[1] 'Zero air pollution and zero carbon from all energy at low cost and
without blackouts in variable weather throughout the U.S. with 100%
wind-water-solar and storage' (Accessed on 19th November, 2023)https://web.stanford.edu/group/efmh/jacobson/Articles/I/21-U . . .
42.5%
A total transition, of 139 countries, from business as usual (BAU) energy to wind-water-solar
(WWS) by 2050 would result in the reduction of end-use energy demand by 42.5% [1]. These transitions are far more aggressive than those the Paris agreement [2] calls for but are still technically feasible.
Energy costs would be approximately 63% less under a WWS scenario (or approximately 86% when
the reduced climate and pollution-related health care costs are included).
