June 23rd, 2009

PESD releases new working paper on potential for CCS technology to capture greenhouse gases in electricity sector

Focusing on capture systems for coal-fired power plants until 2030, a sensitivity analysis of key CCS parameters is performed to gain insight into the role that CCS can play in future mitigation scenarios and to explore implications of large-scale CCS deployment.
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David Victor presses case for geo-engineering

Green Inc. Blog follows David Victor's ruminations on geo-engineering and his call for governments and policymakers to take the topic seriously. Read more »

June 22nd, 2009

David Victor on the need for more research and international protocols governing geo-engineering

As the threat of global warming grows more urgent, a few scientists are considering radical and possibly extremely dangerous schemes for re-engineering the climate by brute force. Their ideas are technologically plausible and quite cheap. So cheap, in fact, that a rich and committed environmentalist could act on them tomorrow. And that's the scariest part. Read more »

June 17th, 2009

Global warming: why the 2 °C goal is a political delusion

In a letter to the editors of Nature, David Victor submits the complicating and dangerous factors involved with a maximum 2 °Celsius target to rein in global warming by adopting a cumulative budget for carbon emissions. Governments need shorter-term goals that can translate into credible promises they make to each other and carry out now. Read more »

June 11th, 2009

David Victor on the hidden costs of the Waxman-Markey Energy Bill

Experts are applauding the sweeping energy bill currently before the U.S. Congress but many, like Victor, warn that the bill's market-based approach could make emissions reductions more expensive than they need to be. Read more »

June 10th, 2009

David Victor serves as expert judge for BusinessWeek's first 'Greener China Business Awards'

David Victor, Senior Fellow at PESD, who has been studying China's electric grid, was chosen as one of several expert judges to select 10 Chinese and multinational companies for adopting and promoting environmentally responsible practices in China. Read more »

June 5th, 2009

A drop in Chinese electricty production, for now

Not surprising, given the depth of the world recession, China continues to experience a decline in electricity production, finds PESD researchers, Richard K. Morse and Gang He. Read more »

May 13th, 2009

PESD releases new working paper on technology and capital investment scenarios for CCS technology

In a new working paper, PESD research affiliate, Danny Cullenward studies the required rates of growth and capital investments needed to meet various long-term projections for CCS. Using the PESD Carbon Storage Database as a baseline, this paper creates four empirically-grounded scenarios about the development of the CCS industry to 2020. These possible starting points (the scenarios) are then used to calculate the sustained growth needed to meet CO2 storage estimates reported by the IPCC over the course of this century (out to 2100). Read more »

May 11th, 2009

Michael Wara on lessons to be learned from the European cap and trade system

Wara, a PESD faculty fellow, reckons that the offset market will have increased E.U. emissions in 2008. Read more »

May 5th, 2009

Jeremy Carl on energy security implications of the U.S.- India nuclear deal

Carl offers insight into the nuances of the current nuclear deal between India and the U.S. and its implications for an Indian nuclear energy policy. Read more »

May 4th, 2009

David Victor on KQED's 'City Arts and Lectures' discusses China and energy

David Victor discusses the importance of engaging China on current energy challenges during KQED's City Arts & Lectures programming, May 5 at 8 pm. Audio transcript available
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