CSG East Energy & Environment Committee Meeting: The North American Renewable Integration Study

The North American electric power system is undergoing significant changes as it integrates increasing quantities of renewable resources, and these changes are expected to accelerate amid ambitious federal, state, local, and corporate decarbonization goals. This session featured a discussion of recent federal research that analyzes the potential impacts of this transition on costs, reliability, and other factors, and seeks to inform policymakers about opportunities for a coordinated, continental low-carbon grid. Among the findings are that: a) an 80 percent reduction in power-sector emissions can be achieved through multiple pathways; and b) enhanced regional and international electricity trade and transmission expansion could have significant net system benefits.