Californian Clean Tech Gives Its Predictions For 2023 And Beyond

It is often said that where the golden state of California leads, others will follow.

As the world’s fifth largest economy, the state has become known as a trailblazer in all walks of modern life.

From music to technology, we all wish we could be Californian.

In terms of the transition to low-carbon economy, 2022 has been a breakout year for the state.

In September, governor Gavin Newsom signed a sweeping package of legislation to cut pollution and accelerate the state’s transition to clean energy, as part of the California Climate Commitment.

The commitment includes a legally binding goal for California to achieve state-wide carbon neutrality as soon as possible, and no later than 2045, and a 90% clean electricity target by 2035.

Other initiatives include a $10 million program to help people buy e-bikes and $96.2 million in grants to support 10 disadvantaged communities to plan and implement projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

But what do cleantech businesses in California think? Is the state leading the green revolution and what could be around the corner?

The co-founder and CEO of ZapBatt, Charlie Welch said the Californian culture has always focused on innovation and driving new technologies that affect humanity’s impact on the planet.

“Climate tech is the perfect focus for this culture of innovation,” he told Forbes.

He added recently passed legislation around micro-mobility, agricultural devices and electric vehicles show a “real commitment to the path of lower carbon footprint products”.

But Welch said he would like to see a heightened focus going forward on battery safety.

He added Californians will soon have batteries powering their homes, bikes, cars, which will raise safety concerns as these systems age.

“Battery safety has to be at the forefront of the conversation,” said Welch.

“If these systems start to have safety challenges, it will only make it harder for them to have a long-term effect on climate.”

The co-founder and CEO of Paired Power, Tom McCalmont said California has often led the nation in clean energy policy, despite as he puts it, the “occasional hiccup”.

McCalmont said the state’s population understands and accepts the transformational power of exponential growth curves and the ability of new technology to change the world in fundamental ways.

“Other states often seem to live in fear of dramatic and rapid industrial change, but the culture in California has proven again and again that innovation and new ideas transform society and bring positive economic benefits,” he added.

Natalie Patton, director of customer success at Buildings IOT, said California is at the epicenter for climate change, with wildfires and population growth putting unprecedented pressure on urban areas.

“If California does not make every effort to tackle the challenge of sustainability and renewables, no one will,” said Patton.

She added many cities and counties across the state have published similar sustainability plans and renewable energy goals, but she said “now it’s time to do the work to achieve those goals”.

She said improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings will play a key role as the state transitions to more clean energy and increased demand, caused by more electric vehicles on the road.

“To meet its climate action goals, California would be well-served to add energy efficiency programs for the built environment to its 2023 sustainability and renewable energy plan,” she added.