Evolved at CUD 2026
China–US Dialogue on Low-Carbon Power Development reveals common challenges
The CUD 2026: China–US Dialogue on Low-Carbon Power Development, held in Guangzhou, China, showed just how much US and Chinese power systems are converging on the same challenges as renewable generation scales. Discussions included how wind and solar are reshaping price formation and system operations, the resulting increased frequency of negative pricing, questions about how to pay for flexibility and firm capacity, and debates on market designs – all familiar topics.
Drawing on Evolved Energy Research's national-scale US power-system modeling—including the REPEAT project conducted in collaboration with the Princeton University Zero Lab—Evolved Principal Jeremy Hargreaves shared insights on how updated U.S. federal energy policy could impact power-sector investment and economy-wide emissions outcomes, and what it means for state energy policymaking. He also discussed the role of the demand side and virtual power plants in unlocking grid flexibility with fellow panelists, and what the barriers to pace of deployment are.
The conference was hosted by the China Energy Research Society (CERS), Tsinghua University, South China University of Technology, and China Southern Power Grid.
