100 Percent Renewable Energy for Los Angeles

Monday, 19 March 2018 08:42

Excerpt: "A new study by Synapse Energy Economics shows the Los Angeles Department of Power and Water (LADWP) can rely on energy efficiency, increased storage and smart management of the electric grid to achieve this groundbreaking transition."

Daniel Nazarian, of American Solar Energy Solutions, with a new installation in Los Angeles. (photo: Ann Johansson/NYT)

100 Percent Renewable Energy for Los Angeles

By Food & Water Watch

19 March 18

The transition is faster, easier and cheaper than you thought.

new study by Synapse Energy Economics shows the Los Angeles Department of Power and Water (LADWP) can rely on energy efficiency, increased storage and smart management of the electric grid to achieve this groundbreaking transition.

While there are many ways to get to 100 percent renewable energy, this research presents two different scenarios: One relies on more utility-level, large-scale solar, while the other emphasizes distributed solar (like rooftop installations).If the city adopts a plan that relies more heavily on utility-scale solar, it would not require building substantially more renewables than it would in a business-as-usual scenario. And transition can be affordable: A 100 percent renewable plan that relies more heavily on distributed solar is projected to cost less than continuing to rely on fossil fuels.

The case study defines renewables as wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric energy only. No dangerous nuclear energy or dirty biomass would be used.

The Los Angeles City Council has instructed LADWP�the nation�s largest municipal utility�to come up with a 100 percent renewable plan, but the department is not set to release its findings until the middle of 2020. This research shows that a clean energy future is feasible now. There is no time to lose to protect the climate, Angelenos� health and the environment!