Reality Check
Misconceptions about renewable energy, electric vehicles, batteries, the electricity grid, and the clean energy transition abound. From the merely misinformed to the outright misleading, dubious information can fuel doubts about the economic, health, and climate benefits of clean energy solutions, and worse, can slow action on climate change.
Debunking these myths is critical to accelerating the clean energy transition. That is why RMI is developing a growing catalog of “Reality Check” articles that distinguish fact from fiction and set the record straight on some of the misconceptions hindering climate action.
To learn more about the fundamentals of the energy transition, also check out our library of “Clean Energy 101” explainers.
Reality Check: Keeping the Lights on in Extreme Winter Weather
Grid outages in extreme weather are a fossil fuel problem, not a renewable energy problem.
Reality Check: Demystifying the Need for Carbon Dioxide Removal
Excess reliance on CDR could slow or increase the cost of reaching our climate goals, so reduction should be prioritized wherever possible. However, the science is clear: CDR will be needed to reach those goals.
Reality Check: This Decade Is Make-or-Break for Direct Air Capture
This technology could be a significant piece of the carbon removal puzzle, but we need to act now for it to make a meaningful impact.
Reality Check: The Missing Pieces of New York’s “Climate Math” Debate
In March, we wrote about climate math. Three weeks later, the topic was a political lightning rod. But there’s more to the story.
Reality Check: Silicon Valley Bank Placed Some Risky Bets, but Climate Tech Wasn’t One of Them
Risky banks may need saving, but climate tech startups don’t.
Reality Check: Gas Stoves Are a Health and Climate Problem
Policymakers and consumers alike are reconsidering the health risks and climate damage associated with gas stoves. Here are six simple truths to guide the conversation.
Reality Check: The United States Has the Only Major Power Grid without a Plan
The US electric grid is fragmented into independent grids and transmission planning regions, which poses a threat to reliability, especially during increasingly frequent extreme weather events. To begin to address this issue, a recent FERC workshop laid out challenges and potential solutions for interregional transmission.
Reality Check: Green Hydrogen Can Scale This Decade
A slew of new hydrogen projects in the works, coupled with sky-high fossil energy prices, point to a significant near-term role for green hydrogen.
Hydrogen Reality Check: All “Clean Hydrogen” Is Not Equally Clean
Every method of hydrogen production carries different emissions risks, but strictly managed supply chains can maximize hydrogen’s climate benefits.
Hydrogen Reality Check: We Need Hydrogen — But Not for Everything
Hydrogen’s versatility as a decarbonization solution has created a lack of consensus and clarity as to where it is truly needed.
Reality Check: Electric Trucks Are Viable Today
Despite people’s misconceptions, electric trucks could effectively replace up to half of trucks on the road today.
Hydrogen Reality Check #1: Hydrogen Is Not a Significant Warming Risk
The climate benefit from a well-regulated clean hydrogen economy outweighs the impact of any emissions that hydrogen would add to our energy system.
Reality Check: More EVs Can Mean Fewer Emissions
The time is now for electric vehicles.
Reality Check: Europe Must Go Renewable to Escape Energy and Climate Crisis
This year, Europe will likely spend nearly $1 trillion on energy. Although the continent has lived through energy crises before, this one has especially high stakes because of the confluence of geopolitical tensions and the raging debate over energy transition policy.
Reality Check: Red-State Voters Want Clean Energy Too. Just Ask Nebraska
Nebraska public officials adopted net-zero carbon goals across the electricity sector.
Reality Check: The Green Inflation Myth
The faster we deploy renewables, the more money we will save in energy costs.
Reality Check: US Renewable Energy Portfolios Can Outcompete New Gas Plants
Currently available renewable energy technologies are often cheaper than gas.
Reality Check: Greener, Friendlier Alternatives Exist for Rare Minerals in Batteries
Accessible alternatives to “critical materials” can make excellent EV batteries, solar cells, and wind turbines.