The role of the power sector in net-zero energy systems

Abstract

Policymakers, planners, and other stakeholders are increasingly interested in net-zero emissions energy systems as countries and companies adopt net-zero goals. The power sector will play an important function in deeply decarbonized energy systems to lower emissions in other sectors through electrification and electricity-derived fuels. This article summarizes insights from the literature on the role and characteristics of the electric power sector as part of net-zero emissions energy systems. The power sector generally has very low or negative emissions at the point where economy-wide net-zero emissions is reached, highlighting the importance of electricity decarbonization and the value of carbon removal in limiting costs of net-zero targets. End-use electrification can alter load shapes and impact electric sector planning and operations, but the scale of these changes in net-zero systems is uncertain. Variable renewables, firm low-carbon resources, energy storage technologies, transmission/trade, and more active demand-side management are expected to have larger roles than today, though the extent of deployment depends on uncertainties about future technologies, markets, and policies.