Power Systems Decarbonization

Exploring the pathways, technology, market, impacts, and implications of clean power transition

Overview

“Electrifying energy and decarbonizing electricity” is at the heart of global energy transtion. This research theme focuses on transforming the energy landscape by increasing electrification in various sectors, such as transportation, building, and industry, while simultaneously decarbonizing the electricity supply. The goal is to explore the pathways to net-zero emissions power systems and their environmental, climate, human health, and socio-economic implications.

Featured publications

Cost-effectiveness of removing the last 10-20% emissions of China’s power sector

Environmental Research Letters

Eliminating the last 10–20% of CO2 emissions create net climate and health benefits with only slightly increased costs.

Mar 14, 2025

Heterogeneous effects of battery storage deployment strategies on decarbonization of provincial power systems in China

Nature Communications

We find heterogeneous strategy provides the lowest system costs, however, carbon emissions depend on carbon prices.

Aug 11, 2023

Modeling Integrated Power and Transportation Systems: Impacts of Power-to-Gas on the Deep Decarbonization

IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications

Hydrogen could link power and transport systems and reduce costs of deep decarbonization for both sectors.

Apr 15, 2022

Large balancing areas and dispersed renewable investment enhance grid flexibility in a renewable-dominant power system in China

iScience

Regional balancing could reduce the renewable curtailment rate by 5–7%, compared with a provincial balancing strategy.

Feb 18, 2022

Long-term transition of China’s power sector under carbon neutrality target and water withdrawal constraint

Journal of Cleaner Production

Low cost renewables reduced the need for CCS by 80%, and water constraints nearly squeeze CCS out.

Dec 20, 2021

Rapid cost decrease of renewables and storage accelerates the decarbonization of China’s power system

Nature Communications

A renewable dominant pathway is not just technogical sound, but also cost effective.

May 19, 2020

SWITCH-China: A Systems Approach to Decarbonizing China’s Power System

Environmental Science & Technology

SWITCH-China, an integrated model for power sector decarbonization.

May 8, 2016

Featured resources

SWITCH-China Open Model

SWITCH-China: open source model for the world’s largest power system. Open data on power plants, transmission, costs, and demand by province.

Jun 1, 2022

Multi-Country Electricity Transition (MCET) Network

This global alliance of energy modelers, policymakers, and advocates leverages advanced, open-source energy planning tools to identify the best pathways, costs, and…

Jan 1, 2022

Featured events

2024 Workshop on Open Modeling Carbon Neutrality of the Power Sector

Deveoping a community to enable open and safe modeling and data sharing

Jul 19, 2024

Featured projects

Global Clean Energy Supply Chains Analysis and Power Systems Resources Adequacy Assessment

University of California, Berkeley

The goal of this project is to collaborate with CCCI team to study global clean energy supply chains and power system resources adequacy.

Power system beyond coal

University of California, Berkeley

The goal of this project is to collaborate with LBL team in modeling the decarbonization of China’s power sector.

Multi-Country Electricity Transition Potential and Challenges Project (MCET)

Environmental Defense Fund

The goal of this project is to provide technical support to the MCET team to assess the opportunities and barriers to decarbonize their electricity sectors using open data…

Power Systems Modeling and Analysis

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Multiple projects to collaborate with LBL team modeling the technology and policy options of decarbonizing China’s power systems.