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How Hydropower Can Play a Role in our Net Zero Carbon Future
The US has set a goal to achieve net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050. Currently, nearly 40% of all carbon dioxide emissions come from power plants burning fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas to create the energy we use every day. Energy sources such as wind power and renewable energy produce low-carbon energy but are often criticized for being variable (they only produce energy as long as the wind blows and the sun shines) and non-dispatchable (they cannot be easily turned on or off to meet varying demands for electricity), qualities that challenge the resilience of our electricity grid.
As part of the Climate Changes Webinar Series, hydropower experts from RTI, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) discuss how hydropower is often overlooked as a low carbon, renewable energy source.
Learn about the role of conventional and pumped storage hydropower in the just energy transition. The panel discussion will cover:
- How hydropower complements other renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy;
- Challenges bringing pumped storage hydropower plants online, and how recent federal incentives can help alleviate these challenges;
- The strategies available to produce more power with existing hydropower assets;
- Considerations and competing interests that may affect how hydropower is used.
