Promises and Pitfalls of Smart Grid - Smart Grid (R) Evolution: Electric Power Struggles - page 28

2.2.3 Improved Environment Quality
For some stakeholders, the most compelling reason to invest in smart grid is its potential to
improve the environment by reducing negative environmental impacts of the energy sector.
By making the system more efficient and deploying low-carbon renewables, the electric
system can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts (Jones and
Zoppo 2014 ) .
Deploy More Renewable Resources
By enabling the deployment and integration of variable renewable resources such as wind
power and solar PV, smart grid can reduce the environmental impacts of the electric
power system. A U.S. study by EPRI estimates a smarter grid could allow large-scale
integration of variable renewable resources such as wind and solar, which could help
decarbonize energy systems (EPRI 2008 ) . For example, the incremental impact of the wind
integration supported by smart grid is estimated to enable avoiding an additional 18.7 to
37.4 million metric tons of CO 2 by 2030 (EPRI 2008 ) . Smart grid technologies could also
enable distributed generation such as solar PV. For some, increased renewable generation
also includes development of additional electricity storage; for others it means additional
high-voltage transmission lines. Electricity storage and increased transmission lines could
also enhance systemwide efficiency and reduce total generation needs. Integration of more
renewable resources into energy mix promises a suite of environmental benefits, including
lower air pollutant emissions, reduced water pollution, and lower CO 2 emissions. Chapter
6 explores the connections between smart grid and renewables in more detail by focusing
on the coevolution of smart grid and the development of large-scale wind power.
Contribution to Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
Smart grid offers multiple promises related to responding to climate change. Electricity
generation relies on fossil fuel combustion and emits 26 percent of global greenhouse
gas emissions and 41 percent of all CO 2 emissions (IEA 2012 ) . Although the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that an 80 percent reduction
in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is required to stabilize atmospheric levels of CO 2
(IPCC 2007 ), electricity generation is projected to grow 70 percent by 2035 (EPA 2010 ;
OECD 2012 ; Outlook 2012 ) .Oneofthemostcompelling reasonsforintegrating renewable
energy sources into the electricity system is the potential they offer to help mitigate climate
change. By increasing the proportion of electricity produced from renewable sources such
as wind and solar, smart grid can help to lower the carbon intensity of the electricity system
without cutting service or power quality (Hoag 2011 ) .