Full Title: Actions Large Energy Buyers Can Take to Transform and Decarbonize the Grid: Procurement Practices for Achieving 100% Carbon Free Electricity
Author(s): Lori Bird, Eric O'Shaughnessy, Norma Hutchinson
Publisher(s): World Resources Institute (WRI)
Publication Date: August 20, 2021
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Description (excerpt):
Large energy buyers—including corporates, cities, and institutional customers—have played and will continue to play an important role in driving clean energy in the near term, particularly renewables. However, to ensure that the power sector achieves deep decarbonization over the next two to three decades, large energy buyers will need to take additional actions to play a leading role in accelerating the transition to a carbon-free grid.
This issue brief begins with a description of the characteristics of transformative clean energy procurement that can enable grid decarbonization. It then explores various methods of procurement and actions by large energy buyers that can facilitate the transition to zero-carbon resources. Based on market experience with new procurement approaches, we provide examples and considerations for large energy buyers that are interested in seeking choices and learning about the range of procurement practices available for accelerating grid decarbonization, as not all options are viable for all buyers. This issue brief concludes with a discussion of the path forward and how metrics, incentives, and market products may need to evolve to enable large energy buyers to increase the impact of their actions on grid decarbonization.