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

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.