Oxford University Emeritus Professor Nick Jelley visited the Schwarzenegger Institute on April 11th to participate in a conversation on renewable energy. Professor Jelley is writing a new book for Oxford University Press entitled A Very Short Introduction to Renewable Energy and the Schwarzenegger Institute organized a round table meeting to help him with his research and introduce him to some of California’s leading academics and policy practitioners working on clean energy and carbon emissions reduction.
Representatives from the University of Southern California, the California legislature, the public utility companies, the electric car industry, the carbon sequestration industry and government regulatory agencies all took part in a conversation centered on California’s attempt to decarbonize its energy sector. Professor Jelley was particularly interested in learning more about how renewable energy is reshaping electricity production, heating & cooling, and transportation in California.
Senator Fran Pavley moderated the conversation deftly insuring that all topics were covered in-depth and that all participants had a chance to contribute to the conversation and pose questions. Professor Jelley will include key takeaways in his book however it was clear that in all areas smart regulations, many of which were passed by Governor Schwarzenegger and Senator Pavley, have been important drivers of emission reductions in California. There was general consensus at the table that California is the world’s leader in renewable energy production but that much more work needs to be done especially when it comes to building smart grid infrastructure, electric vehicle charging stations and renewable energy storage systems.
Very Short Introduction to Renewable Energy will be published by Oxford University Press in the Spring of 2019 and The Institute has already invited Professor Jelley back to USC to discuss his book and findings.