Electrification 2.0

Edgardo Sepulveda, energy economist and seven-time Decouple
guest, returns to delivers a synthesis episode. We draw together
our previous analysis of the financial and regulatory conditions
that enabled the initial build out of our grid, explore the Amory
Lovins lost decades that saw electrification atrophy and examine
the tools at our disposal to achieve an electrfication 2.0 to
deliver a doubling of our current grid to help us meet net zero
goals. 


This conversation builds off of Edgardo's recent research piece
on the critical role that nuclear energy has played in the
decarbonization of the electricity sector and what should be done
to make sure this legacy is continued. Over the last six months
Edgardo has compiled an extensive electricity and emissions
dataset for 30 countries over the last 50 years at
https://edecarb.org/. Based on this project, Edgardo was invited
by Myrto Tripathi, head of the France-based nuclear advocacy
group the Voices of Nuclear, to prepare this think piece, which
went out as the March Newsletter in English.


Sepulveda calculates that, over the last 50 years, countries that
adopted nuclear power consistently reduced emissions intensity by
more than three times as much as those that went without nuclear.
Looking forward, the massive “Electrification 2.0” that will
require a doubling or tripling of electricity generation by 2050
would provide the financial rationale for the needed massive
capacity investments, particularly in nuclear. Lastly, we discuss
market reforms that would be needed to correctly value the
low-emissions, firm electricity provided by nuclear energy.