Getting to Zero Carbon Emissions: Is it Possible?

Have you wondered about that vast system that exists behind that simple flip of a light switch, charging your smartphone, or running your heating and air conditioning? It is one of the world's most complex machines ever invented: the electric power system. The key word here is "system". It is a complex network of power generators and transmission and distribution lines, and most importantly, our customers. And electricity is the only product on the planet that is produced, transported and consumed in the same moment, so it's important that supply and demand are always balanced, or else reliability is sacrificed. You hear a lot of people say that we should run headlong to renewable energy such as wind and solar energy systems to reduce emissions of CO2 and methane. Others say nuclear power is the only long-term solution. Still, others are touting increased usage of batteries and better automation of electric demand programs. And many are looking at capturing that element on the periodic table called "carbon" either before or after combustion in natural gas-fired power stations.

The real answer is that all of the above are going to be needed to achieve measurable reductions in carbon emissions. We cannot rely on any single technology or source, as each has its advantages as well as challenges, and too much of one thing results in diminishing benefits for our customers. At Dominion Energy, we are working hard to meet the needs of our customers, shareholders, investors, and stakeholders who have asked us to reduce our carbon emissions, with the goal of reducing our carbon emissions from our power stations by 80% by 2050. We've already done quite a bit over the past 20 years, but we plan to do more. This will need to be done responsibly, ensuring that we continue our public duty to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for decades to come. I encourage you to watch the embedded video, which is a presentation by Jesse Jenkins, who explains this complex system, and why we will need all resources mentioned earlier to achieve deep de-carbonization goals in the electric power industry.

At Dominion Energy, we have teams working on innovative new programs, exploring and deploying exciting and sustainable energy technologies, and developing new ways to deliver a great customer experience. I encourage you to find out more at www.dominionenergy.com.