Grid2050: An open-source tool to support user development and exploration of US 2050 low carbon electricity mixes

Abstract

This paper introduces Grid2050, a web-based decision support framework that allows users to build and assess US low-carbon electricity generation portfolios for 2050. Although base assumptions from various sources are integrated into the tool to support a default portfolio mix, the framework encourages users to alter assumptions about the techno-economic performance and socio-political acceptance of different technologies to create their portfolios. To support that process, the framework includes built-in analytics to estimate deviations from base assumptions, a capability to explore alternative assumptions about technological learning and scale-up, and the premiums users are willing to incur to avoid or deploy different technologies. This suite of features offers a way to benchmark the consistency and feasibility of users’ energy system preferences. Its use should help inform energy system planning studies and regulatory interventions to bend the global warming curve.

Keywords

• Low carbon electricity generation
• Decarbonization
• CO2 emission abatement
• R shiny
• Public preference