Something remarkable is taking place that is bound to lead to a deep reshaping of the energy debate, starting in Europe and North America. It used to be the visionaries and the NGOs who talked about a 100 % renewable future, but now leading number-crunchers and energy experts are joining the chorus. In California, the government energy regulator were recently quoted saying that California’s power grid could handle 100 % renewables. 

The city of Vancouver is an example of a big city that recently committed to run 100 % on renewables for power, heating and transportation within 20 years. New studies have been released showing the US can get to 100 % renewables by 2050, at marginal extra cost.

France: 100 % renewable?

"Vers un mix électrique 100 % renouvable en 2050" is the name of the brand new report from ADEME, the government agency responsible for green and renewable energy. The publication of the report was considered controversial by the French government currently busy securing a majority in the Senate for the new energy transiton law that recommends an electricity mix with 50  % nuclear, down from 75 % today.

A political decision was therefore made to postpone the publication of the study, but after the media house Mediapart got hold of it, it is now published by ADEME.

The 120-page report (exluding attachments) provides a number of interesting and surprising insights. First of all, the study demonstrates that a 100 % renewable power system in France is both possible and economically attractive, also when taking into account a number of alternative scenarios including extreme weather, stricter regulations against wind, solar and high-voltage connections, slower technology development a.o.

Secondly: The cost to the consumer of the 100 % renewable scenario is more or less equal to a scenario close to today’s, with only 40 % renewables. The reason is simple: Whereas the cost of wind and solar continue to fall, the cost of natural gas including CO₂ will rise steadily. But also nuclear is becoming more expensive, primarily due to the new safety regulations.