Climate change and energy - Energy infrastructure

Title

A European supergrid for renewable energy: local impacts and far-reaching challenges

Reference

Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume 19, Issues 17-18, November-December 2011, Pages 1909-1916

Author(s)

Arturs Purvins , Heinz Wilkening, Gianluca Fulli, Evangelos Tzimas, Gianni Celli, Susanna Mocci, Fabrizio Pilo, Sergio Tedde

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This article assesses the impact of extensive deployment of indigenous and external renewable energy sources on a local electricity system (Sardinia Island) and discusses the main challenges faced by the European power grids in integrating high shares of renewable-based generation technologies. It presents the 2030 scenarios for the Sardinian power system and the results of steady-state analyses in extreme (renewable) generation and consumption conditions. These results are eventually combined with the assessment of key technology development trends to explain how this can affect the development of a European supergrid. In general, the article stresses that rendering the bulk-power system capable of accommodating high renewable energy penetration not only requires reinforcing the electricity highways but also demands carefully planning the architecture of and the interface with regional power systems.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Energy infrastructure
Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy

Keywords

Renewable energy sources; Electricity grid

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652611002447

There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

artus.purvins@ec.europa.eu

Title

Reference

Environmental Politics

Volume 20, Issue 5, 2011

Author(s)

Anthony Patt, Nadejda Komendantova, Antonella Battaglini & Johan Lilliestam

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The European Union is currently working on a achieving a target of 20% renewable energy by 2020, and has a policy framework in place that relies primarily on individual Member States implementing their own policy instruments for renewable energy support, within a larger context of a tradable quota system. For 2050 the target is likely to be more stringent, given the goal of reducing European carbon dioxide emissions by 80% by then. Preliminary analysis has suggested that achieving the 2020 target through renewable power deployment will be far less expensive and far more reliable if a regional approach is taken, in order to balance intermittent supply, and to take advantage of high renewable potentials off the European mainland. Analysis based on modeling is combined with the results of stakeholder interviews to highlight the key options and governance challenges associated with developing such a regional approach.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Energy infrastructure
Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy

Keywords

renewable electricity, energy policy, Supergrid, investment security, security of supply

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09644016.2011.608537
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

patt@iiasa.ac.uk

Title

Providing all global energy with wind, water, and solar power
Part II: Reliability, system and transmission costs, and policies

Reference

Energy Policy (2011)
doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2010.11.045

Author(s)

Delucchi, M.A., Jacobson, M.Z.,

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This is Part II of two papers evaluating the feasibility of providing all energy for all purposes (electric power, transportation, and heating/cooling), everywhere in the world, from wind, water, and the sun (WWS). In Part I, we described the prominent renewable energy plans that have been proposed and discussed the characteristics of WWS energy systems, the global demand for and availability of WWS energy, quantities and areas required for WWS infrastructure, and supplies of critical materials. Here, we discuss methods of addressing the variability of WWS energy to ensure that power supply reliably matches demand (including interconnecting geographically dispersed resources, using hydroelectricity, using demand-response management, storing electric power on site, over-sizing peak generation capacity and producing hydrogen with the excess, storing electric power in vehicle batteries, and forecasting weather to project energy supplies), the economics of WWS generation and transmission, the economics of WWS use in transportation, and policy measures needed to enhance the viability of a WWS system. We find that the cost of energy in a 100% WWS will be similar to the cost today. We conclude that barriers to a 100% conversion to WWS power worldwide are primarily social and political, not technological or even economic.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Energy infrastructure
Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Renewable and low carbon energy

Keywords

Wind-power, Solar-power, Water-power

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421510008694
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

madelucchi@ucdavis.edu

Title

Unlocking the €53 billion savings from smart meters in the EU: How increasing the adoption of dynamic tariffs could make or break the EU's smart grid investment

Reference

Energy Policy
Volume 38, Issue 10, October 2010, Pages 6222-6231

Author(s)

Ahmad Faruqui, Dan Harris and Ryan Hledik

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

We estimate the cost of installing smart meters in the EU to be €51 billion, and that operational savings will be worth between €26 and 41 billion, leaving a gap of €10-25 billion between benefits and costs. Smart meters can fill this gap because they enable the provision of dynamic pricing, which reduces peak demand and lowers the need for building and running expensive peaking power plants. The present value of savings in peaking infrastructure could be as high as €67 billion for the EU if policy-makers can overcome barriers to consumers adopting dynamic tariffs, but only €14 billion otherwise. We outline a number of ways to increase the adoption of dynamic tariffs

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Energy infrastructure
Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon technologies
Resource efficiency >> Energy efficiency

Keywords

Dynamic pricing, Smart meters, Energy conservation

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421510004738
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

ahmad.faruqui@brattle.com