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Related: About this forumElectricity costs: A new way they'll surge in a warming world
http://ns.umich.edu/new/releases/24537-electricity-costs-a-new-way-they-ll-surge-in-a-warming-world[font face=Serif][font size=5]Electricity costs: A new way they'll surge in a warming world[/font]
Feb 07, 2017
[font size=3]ANN ARBORClimate change is likely to increase U.S. electricity costs over the next century by billions of dollars more than economists previously forecast, according to a new study involving a University of Michigan researcher.
The study shows how higher temperatures will raise not just the average annual electricity demand, but more importantly, the peak demand. And to avoid brownouts and absorb these surges, utilities will need to spend between $70 billion and $180 billion in grid upgradespower plants and futuristic energy storage systems for which ratepayers would ultimately foot the bill.
"If you look at your own bill across the year, you'll probably see that your usage is highest in the summer, when you're running the air conditioning," said Catherine Hausman, assistant professor at U-M's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
"Climate change researchers know that when we look out over the next 100 years, things will get warmer and, on a per-person basis, use of air conditioning will rise. The question we asked was 'On the hottest day of the year, when people are maxing out on that, can the grid handle it?' We build the grid for the hottest hour of the year."
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1613193114Feb 07, 2017
[font size=3]ANN ARBORClimate change is likely to increase U.S. electricity costs over the next century by billions of dollars more than economists previously forecast, according to a new study involving a University of Michigan researcher.
The study shows how higher temperatures will raise not just the average annual electricity demand, but more importantly, the peak demand. And to avoid brownouts and absorb these surges, utilities will need to spend between $70 billion and $180 billion in grid upgradespower plants and futuristic energy storage systems for which ratepayers would ultimately foot the bill.
"If you look at your own bill across the year, you'll probably see that your usage is highest in the summer, when you're running the air conditioning," said Catherine Hausman, assistant professor at U-M's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
"Climate change researchers know that when we look out over the next 100 years, things will get warmer and, on a per-person basis, use of air conditioning will rise. The question we asked was 'On the hottest day of the year, when people are maxing out on that, can the grid handle it?' We build the grid for the hottest hour of the year."
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Electricity costs: A new way they'll surge in a warming world (Original Post)
OKIsItJustMe
Feb 2017
OP
True. And that holds for climate deniers as well as w in the reality based world.
guillaumeb
Feb 2017
#3
One way to get "climate deniers" to buy in is to avoid making a climate argument in the first place
OKIsItJustMe
Feb 2017
#4
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)1. What if there were alternatives?
Like insulating houses to use less energy?
And renewable sources of energy?
OKIsItJustMe
(19,937 posts)2. Sure... except...
A well insulated home in a warmer climate will use more electricity (renewable or non-renewable) for air conditioning than a well insulated home in a cooler climate.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)3. True. And that holds for climate deniers as well as w in the reality based world.
But at least it will mitigate the problem, and provide non-outsourceable jobs.
OKIsItJustMe
(19,937 posts)4. One way to get "climate deniers" to buy in is to avoid making a climate argument in the first place
Hey! If you insulate your home youll save money!
Hey! If you install solar panels, over time, youll save money!
Tea Partiers love solar panels!
http://www.npr.org/2015/02/24/388796105/solar-energy-advocates-find-unexpected-ally-in-tea-party
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)5. Agreed. Proper framing can work wonders.
Witness the many Trump voters who love their ACA coverage but hate Obamacare.