Electricity scenarios

In Reinventing Fire, Rocky Mountain Institute investigates the implications of four radically different future electricity scenarios - from a “business-as-usual” case to a network of intelligent microgrids powered largely by distributed renewables.

 

Category expenses by building type for commercial sector

For commercial buildings, energy and water are 22% of total operating expenses.

 

Tractive load formulas

Powertrain efficiency from tank to wheels can't exceed 1.0, and is around 0.17 in a typical modern car or 0.35 in a good "full hybrid," but the energy needed to move the car can be reduced severalfold by making it lighter and more slippery.

 

Cumulative new transmission requirements in four scenarios

Rocky Mountain Institute’s four scenarios for the future U.S. electricity system ( detailed here ) all have very different requirements for an expanded transmission infrastructure.

 

Building energy use and square footage, 1950–2006

Both building energy use and total square footage have steadily increased in the United States since 1950. Total building energy use has almost quadrupled, due to increases in building number and size, as well as the adoption of such energy-intensive technologies as color televisions, computers, and air conditioning.

 

Reinventing Fire carbon dioxide emission reductions

Reinventing Fire results in 2050 fossil-carbon emissions that are 82% lower than emissions in 2000. The remaining fossil-carbon emissions in 2050 come almost entirely from natural gas consumption.

 

Comparison of U.S. energy projections over time

Efficiency has helped the U.S. stay below 1980 forecasts, but official forecasts indicate continued increases in energy use.

 

Projected vs. actual cost and lead-time of U.S. nuclear power plants, 1966–1977 standard practice vs combined heat and power

Nuclear power plants have a history of major cost overruns and missed deadlines. Of plants whose construction was started prior to 1977, the average actual construction costs were two to three times higher than the average projected cost. The average project was extended at least three years beyond its original completion date.

 

Residential building energy efficiency supply curve, by end use, 2050

To determine how much residential building energy can be saved at what cost we created efficiency supply curves.

 

Commercial building energy efficiency supply curve, by end use, 2050

To determine how much commercial building energy can be saved at what cost, we created efficiency supply curves.

 

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