Synopsis - A Climate Ready Power System: Resilient and Affordable Decarbonization

The power system of the future will be tip of the spear for a decarbonized economy to address climate change. Low-carbon sources of electricity are fuelling the decarbonization of transportation, buildings and industry through either direct electrification or indirect electrification (clean molecules created by low-carbon electricity act as an energy carrier). Electricity is a key component of addressing climate change and reducing GHG emissions. 

But climate is already changing. The energy industry is moving rapidly toward reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Many organizations worldwide are making the same commitment. As we continue to move towards a net-zero society, the climate of tomorrow is also an important consideration. Energy companies, regulators, policymakers, and other industry stakeholders require science-based insights about the future power system and the environment in which it will operate to identify optimal adaptation and resilience investments. 

The transition to a clean energy society will also need to be equitable. A just transition is one that accounts for benefits and protection associated with the shift to a low-carbon economy, which can include considerations across power generation (such as the retirement of fossil power plants), delivery (for example, transmission siting and microgrid development), and use (such as energy efficiency programming development).  More sustainable economies should not bear an inordinate cost or burden from the clean energy transition. 

This keynote address will examine key imperatives for the electricity sector to achieve this Climate Ready Power System in an equitable and just way. A paper summarising the address will also be added to ELECTRA later in the year.

Keynote address, Paris Session opening ceremony

Sunday 28 August, 4pm (Paris time)

Register now to hear this and much more at the 2022 Paris Session.