A new study published by the journal Science on November 24 explains that California needs to change its technology and infrastructure to reach its goal of reducing emissions. This study was carried out by researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) as well as the San Francisco-based Energy and Environmental Economics (E3).
Windows may not be as sexy as solar panels or electric cars, but they play a major role in energy efficiency. Buildings are responsible for 40% of the country’s energy use, which is why researchers at Berkeley Lab are trying to improve windows by making them smarter
According to the researchers, in near future appliances, lights and other devices will be in trouble with irregular levels in the productivity of energy. Electricity is produced without polluting the atmosphere with carbon dioxide. After implementing measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, heating systems, cars and other equipment that operate with the help of natural gas and oil will be operated by electric power.
E3’s Jim Williams, the lead author of this research paper, said that in order to reach this goal, energy efficiency, decarbonization of electricity production, the electrification of ferriage and other sectors have to be followed in sequence. Margaret Torn, the other contributor of the paper from Berkeley Lab's Earth Sciences Division, said that it was possible for the state to accomplish deep reductions of greenhouse gas by 2050.
The scientists have explored the possible means to reach the goal of minimizing greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. This means, reducing CO2 emissions annually from 427 million Mt in 1990 to 85 million Mt in 2050. The scientists, who were working to reach the 85 million Mt target, formed four reduction scenarios that depend on three energy system transformations.
The research findings reveal that improving energy efficiency will make 28% of the reductions needed to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in California. Energy efficiency will have to be bettered by at least 1.3% annually over the coming 40 years and in the study, scientists have discovered that the largest portion of reducing greenhouse gas from energy efficiency starts from the building sector through improvements in developing the shell, lighting, HVAC systems and appliances.
Reducing another 27% of emissions begins from shifting to electricity generation technologies that do not emit carbon dioxide into the environment. The scientists also discovered that 15% of reductions in emissions could come from different measures to minimize non-energy related CO2 as well as other greenhouse gas emissions, for example agricultural and landfill activities. Additional 14% of reductions could come from several unrelated technologies as well as practices such as biofuels for the airline and trucking industry, rooftop solar photovoltaics and clever planning of urban areas.
Finally, the scientist said that most of the technologies, including water and space heaters, cars and industrial operations that use up natural gas and fuel, have be electrified, and this will lead to 16% reduction in emissions allowing California to achieve its goal.