I don’t like “100% renewables”

Let’s talk about nuclear energy

On May 31, the California Senate passed a measure to mandate 100% renewable energy by 2045. The bill would put California on par with Hawaii, which also has a 100% mandate to hit by 2045. And this Monday, 250 U.S. mayors passed a resolution to target 100% renewable energy by 2035.

“100% renewable energy” has also been popular in many companies — through RE100, 90 companies have committed to 100% renewable energy.

Fortune 500 companies with a 100% Renewable Energy Target

I do not like these goals. “100% renewables” isn’t the optimal next step for the clean energy industry.

CAISO isn’t the only ISO setting clean energy records. Earlier this year, the Southwest Power Pool set a new record for wind penetration, serving 52.1% of its load with the renewable generation in February.

My problem isn’t with the feasibility— after all, in May, the California utility, CAISO, received 72% of its electricity from renewables. If we want to go 100% renewable, we have a clear trajectory (see the paper in PNAS by Stanford Professor Mark Jacobson).

My problem is with the larger secondary consequences, considering the current market and policy conditions.