[GWSG] Cheaper energy; replacing gas; 50% cheaper by 2020?; blockchain for climate; carbon fees

[Tilley, Al]

1. Wind or solar plus battery storage are going at increasingly irresistible rates. The median bid price for wind plus storage in Colorado last year was 2.1 cents/kilowatt-hour, lower than the operating cost of any coal plant in the state. https://climatecrocks.com/2018/01/15/game-change-wind-solar-plus-battery-breakthrough/



2. The CA Public Utilities Commission has authorized PG&E to replace two gas plants with energy storage or preferred resources such as demand-response or distributed solar. "This appears to be the first time a utility will procure energy storage to replace existing gas plants for local capacity needs." The decision would replace existing gas peaking plants with batteries, which are more flexible in their application. The challenge is to demonstrate that they are cheaper, and that depends in part on how solar power is treated. https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/pge-must-solicit-energy-storage-ders-to-replace-three-existing-gas-plants?utm_source=Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=GTMDaily#gs.CKIv1ZA



3. The International Renewable Energy Agency reports that onshore wind power costs fell in 2017 to essentially equal fossil fuel, and that solar prices, already competitive, will drop 50% further by 2020. https://cleantechnica.com/2018/01/15/irena-proclaims-onshore-wind-now-affordable-technology-solar-halve-2020/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IM-cleantechnica+%28CleanTechnica%29



4. A blockchain computer system allows faster, cheaper, and more secure transactions between two parties (say, one selling to another) without the need for third party intervention. It could allow people to sell their excess solar energy to one another without the need for a utility, or for companies to trade carbon emission credits without government clearance. The transactions are transparent, available for monitoring and regulation.  http://reneweconomy.com.au/blockchain-secret-weapon-in-the-fight-against-climate-change-70957/?utm_source=RE+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=39b87c1e4e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_01_17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_46a1943223-39b87c1e4e-40325881



5. Fossil fuel companies derive their profits from negative untaxed externalities. Essentially, they devour the health of the planet without penalty. If they had to pay for what they are doing they would stop. To call that a carbon tax is less accurate, and less palatable, than calling it a carbon fee. https://cleantechnica.com/2018/01/16/carbon-fees-mystery-untaxed-negative-externality/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IM-cleantechnica+%28CleanTechnica%29 ?

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