Transmission Value in 2023

In 2023 additional electricity transmission would have provided the most value for links that crossed between grid interconnection regions in the United States (the Western Interconnection, the Eastern Interconnection, the Texas Interconnection) or crossed between system operator regions within the same interconnection. Many multi-interconnection or multi-region links had values of greater than $20/MWh, or up to $175 million/yr per 1 GW expanded transmission (subject to limits to the depth of the market at each side of the link). In contrast, many links within regions, or between regions in the northeast, had relatively low values in 2023, following the overall decline …

Income Verification Strategies for Income-Based Solar Programs

The Inflation Reduction Act has created substantial new programs that support adoption of solar power by low-income households, including the $7 billion Solar For All program and the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program, which increases the investment tax credit for certain types of deployment. In addition, a growing number of states are using solar programs to reduce energy burdens and create energy justice opportunities for low-income households and disadvantaged communities.

Verifying the income of participating customers is an important component of these programs. Program managers are seeking strategies to verify a large number of subscribing customers in an accurate, timely, …

2024 Criteria for High-Quality Carbon Dioxide Removal

Since the release of the first Criteria for High-Quality Carbon Dioxide Removal in 2021, Carbon Direct and Microsoft have been at the forefront of establishing science-based guidance for high-quality carbon removal.

The 2024 edition reflects the continued evolution of the science and practice of carbon dioxide removal. The revised Criteria applies the latest scientific research and experience from the field to provide clear guidance to project developers and buyers on how to evaluate harms and benefits across social and environmental parameters, improve project management, and refine measurement and monitoring methods.…

A Guide to Techno-Economic Analysis for Early-Stage Founders

There’s nothing like a good TEA. And no, this (unfortunately) does not have anything to do with Earl Grey, Darjeeling or matcha tea. The TEA the author is talking about stands for techno-economic analysis and is all about understanding your business at its core!

Given its importance for every hard tech startup, Zero Carbon decided to put together a short, concise TEA guide for early-stage founders. A TEA can seem daunting at first but very often turns out to be an incredibly useful tool for founders. Their mission is to make this journey slightly less bumpy and therefore more enjoyable …

2024 China Power Market Outlook

China’s power sector is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the nation’s ambitious clean energy goals and the imperative to combat climate change. This transition, marked by a rapid shift toward renewable energy sources and the modernization of grid infrastructure, presents both compelling opportunities and complex challenges for market participants. Understanding the evolving dynamics of this dynamic landscape is crucial for transition success.

This report delves into the latest developments and emerging trends shaping the industry, examining their implications for market participants across the value chain. From renewable energy developers and power generators to industrial consumers and energy technology providers, …

Enhanced Rock Weathering in Croplands

Enhanced rock weathering may offer durable, cost-competitive carbon removal with potential added benefits like increased crop yields. However, uncertainty persists in ERW projects, with key risks related to over crediting and the potential for causing environmental and social harms. This means that, to maximize benefits and reduce risks, this carbon removal pathway requires more research and investment.

A new report by Carbon Direct analyzes the current risks and benefits of enhanced rock weathering and assesses it against high-quality criteria to help buyers make more informed purchases.…

Comparing Electric Supply Rates in Massachusetts

This Applied Economics Clinic (AEC) policy brief—prepared on behalf of the Green Energy Consumers Alliance (GECA)—presents a cost comparison of electric supply options offered to residential customers served by investor-owned utilities in Massachusetts. AEC’s analysis finds that residential customers are paying a premium for electric supply provided by Third-Party Competitive Suppliers compared to electricity provided by electric distribution companies and Municipal Aggregation programs. AEC also finds that previous estimates of cost premiums associated with Competitive Suppliers have underestimated the extent to which they raised average residential electric rates by not considering the cost savings associated with Municipal Aggregation programs, which …

Distributional Equity in the Employment and Wage Impacts of Energy Transitions

The authors use restricted-access, geocoded data on the near-universe of workers in 23 U.S. states to quantify the impact of wind energy development on local earnings and employment, by race, ethnicity, sex, and educational attainment. They find significant impacts that persist for several years beyond the project construction phase. The estimates are larger than those from previous studies, but still small relative to typical economic multipliers for fiscal spending or investment in other industries. The authors find the largest percentage increases for black workers and workers who either do not have a high school diploma, or who have a college …

Solar Thermal Action Plan

The Renewable Thermal Collaborative’s Solar Thermal Action Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to accelerate the adoption of solar thermal technology for industrial process heating. This plan highlights the significant potential of solar thermal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the RTC’s overall goal of a 30% reduction in U.S. industrial thermal emissions by 2030 and full decarbonization by 2050. It addresses key barriers to adoption, including knowledge and policy gaps, and proposes market, policy, and community actions to overcome these challenges.

Developed in collaboration with ICF and RTC Members and Solutions Providers, the action plan emphasizes the role …

Metal Release from Manganese Nodules in Anoxic Seawater and Implications for Deep-Sea Mining Dewatering Operations

The potential mining of deep-sea polymetallic nodules has been gaining increasing attention due to their enrichment in metals essential for a low-carbon future. To date, there have been few scientific studies concerning the geochemical consequences of dewatered mining waste discharge into the pelagic water column, which can inform best practices in future mining operations. Here, the authors report the results of laboratory incubation experiments that simulate mining discharge into anoxic waters such as those that overlie potential mining sites in the North Pacific Ocean. The authors find that manganese nodules are reductively dissolved, with an apparent activation energy of 42.8 …