Browsing by Author "Mavrommati, Georgia"
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- Canadian hydroelectricity imports to the U.S.; Modeling of hourly carbon emissions reduction in New EnglandMortazavigazar, Amir; Calder, Ryan S. D.; Howarth, Rich B.; Jackson, Chloe A.; Mavrommati, Georgia (2024-04-05)United States’ hydroelectricity imports from Canada have increased by > 1 TWh per year between 2007 and 2021. This occurs as policymakers in the U.S. try to ramp up the deployment of new carbon free electricity generation and transmission infrastructure. Furthermore, recent modeling in the northeast U.S. demonstrates that Canadian hydroelectricity will play a significant role in New England’s least-cost decarbonization scenario. Additionally, decarbonization targets are well- defined in all states within the New England region, making it a priority. Consequently, it is anticipated that more hydroelectricity will flow from Canada into New England, resulting in the expansion of transborder electricity interconnections. To characterize the costs and benefits of such projects as compared to alternatives, a high-resolution simulation (i.e., hourly) of the electric grid is needed. In this study, we utilize the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's dataset on hourly electricity generation and carbon emissions. Using pre-established decarbonization scenarios, we can calculate the precise reduction in greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions for each scenario. Our preliminary results demonstrate that the scenario projection for 2026–2027 by New England ISO, which involves a combination of Canadian hydroelectric imports (2100 MW summer, 826 MW winter), new wind (308 MW summer and 682 MW), and solar (92 MW summer, 28 MW winter) generation commitments, can effectively offset carbon emissions in New England. These results further support the current decarbonization policy, which relies on a diversified mix of carbon free electricity sources.
- Canadian hydropower and the U.S. energy transition: controversies, opportunities, and strategic research directionsCalder, Ryan S. D.; Borsuk, Mark E.; Mortazavigazar, Amir; Howarth, Richard B.; Jackson, Chloe; Mavrommati, Georgia (2023-12-13)Recent modeling for the northeast United States suggests that the least-cost decarbonization pathway involves a combination of build-out of domestic renewables generation and increased intertie capacity with Canada. U.S. imports of Canadian hydropower have increased by > 1 TWh per year between 2007–2021 because it is a cost-effective and low-carbon alternative to domestic fossil fuel generation. Yet, increased interconnection capacity and imports are controversial and have been opposed by U.S. environmental groups and members of the public. Development of new hydroelectric reservoirs disrupts foodways and lifeways of Indigenous populations and has greenhouse gas impacts greater than wind and solar (though less than fossil fuel alternatives). Two recently cancelled hydropower transmission projects linking New England and Quebec, Canada demonstrate the need to better understand the gap between pathways that appear optimal from the perspective of energy systems modeling and the pathways that will ultimately be socially and environmentally acceptable. The experience of the northeast mirrors that in other parts of the U.S. where substantial resources have been invested in pursuit of renewable projects that are ultimately abandoned following mobilization of stakeholders with adverse interests or values. A research program integrating environmental and economic modeling seeks to resolve controversies surrounding the use of Canadian hydropower in U.S. energy transitions. This includes conceptual disputes over valuation of hydropower from existing reservoirs in cost-benefit analysis; debates over whether new transmission infrastructure stimulates new generation capacity; and analysis of the relative importance of different benefits and impacts to the public.
- Integrating health, economic, and environmental trade-offs into decarbonization decision-making in New England using enhanced capacity expansion modelingMortazavigazar, Amir; Calder, Ryan S. D.; Howarth, Richard B.; Jackson, Chloe A.; Mavrommati, Georgia (2024-07-15)