Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation

Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation
Author: Ottmar Edenhofer
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 1088
Release: 2011-11-21
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781107607101

This Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report (IPCC-SRREN) assesses the potential role of renewable energy in the mitigation of climate change. It covers the six most important renewable energy sources - bioenergy, solar, geothermal, hydropower, ocean and wind energy - as well as their integration into present and future energy systems. It considers the environmental and social consequences associated with the deployment of these technologies, and presents strategies to overcome technical as well as non-technical obstacles to their application and diffusion. SRREN brings a broad spectrum of technology-specific experts together with scientists studying energy systems as a whole. Prepared following strict IPCC procedures, it presents an impartial assessment of the current state of knowledge: it is policy relevant but not policy prescriptive. SRREN is an invaluable assessment of the potential role of renewable energy for the mitigation of climate change for policymakers, the private sector, and academic researchers.

TemaNord

TemaNord
Author: Nordisk Ministerråd
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2007
Genre:
ISBN:

Impacts on U.S. Energy Expenditures and Greenhouse-Gas Emissions of Increasing Renewable-Energy Use

Impacts on U.S. Energy Expenditures and Greenhouse-Gas Emissions of Increasing Renewable-Energy Use
Author: Michael Toman
Publisher: Rand Corporation
Total Pages: 73
Release: 2008-06-24
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0833046691

How could producing 25 percent of U.S. electricity and motor-vehicle transportation fuels from renewables by the year 2025 affect U.S. consumer energy expenditures and CO2 emissions? This report finds that reaching 25 percent renewables with limited impact on expenditures requires significant progress in renewable-energy technologies and biomass production. Without substantial innovation in these areas, expenditures could increase considerably.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Author: Aidan Duffy
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 277
Release: 2015-04-16
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 111863103X

The recent rise to prominence of renewable energy and energy efficiency has been driven by their potential to lower the environmental impacts of energy use. As these technologies mature they must demonstrate not only their environmental benefits, but also their economic competitiveness. The relative costs and benefits of each potential project, whether large or small, must be systematically modelled and assessed before they can be financed and implemented. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Assessment of Projects and Policies deals with the appraisal of such projects against financial and non-financial criteria, illustrating the assessment tools necessary to make appropriate, evidence based decisions as efficiently as possible. The most important technologies are first described, stressing their economic and performance characteristics. Key project appraisal concepts are then introduced, approaches to modelling the cash flows in energy projects are described, and the issues of uncertainty and optimisation are fully discussed. These financial concepts, together with methods for estimating greenhouse gas emissions, are extended to address aspects of energy policy. Illustrated with many case studies this is an ideal introduction to financial and non-financial appraisal techniques as applied to energy efficient and renewable energy technologies.

Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation

Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation
Author: Christopher E. Moorman
Publisher: JHU Press
Total Pages: 279
Release: 2019-09-10
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1421432730

Brings together disparate conversations about wildlife conservation and renewable energy, suggesting ways these two critical fields can work hand in hand. Renewable energy is often termed simply "green energy," but its effects on wildlife and other forms of biodiversity can be quite complex. While capturing renewable resources like wind, solar, and energy from biomass can require more land than fossil fuel production, potentially displacing wildlife habitat, renewable energy infrastructure can also create habitat and promote species health when thoughtfully implemented. The authors of Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation argue that in order to achieve a balanced plan for addressing these two crucially important sustainability issues, our actions at the nexus of these fields must be directed by current scientific information related to the ecological effects of renewable energy production. Synthesizing an extensive, rapidly growing base of research and insights from practitioners into a single, comprehensive resource, contributors to this volume • describe processes to generate renewable energy, focusing on the Big Four renewables—wind, bioenergy, solar energy, and hydroelectric power • review the documented effects of renewable energy production on wildlife and wildlife habitats • consider current and future policy directives, suggesting ways industrial-scale renewables production can be developed to minimize harm to wildlife populations • explain recent advances in renewable power technologies • identify urgent research needs at the intersection of renewables and wildlife conservation Relevant to policy makers and industry professionals—many of whom believe renewables are the best path forward as the world seeks to meet its expanding energy needs—and wildlife conservationists—many of whom are alarmed at the rate of renewables-related habitat conversion—this detailed book culminates with a chapter underscoring emerging opportunities in renewable energy ecology. Contributors: Edward B. Arnett, Brian B. Boroski, Regan Dohm, David Drake, Sarah R. Fritts, Rachel Greene, Steven M. Grodsky, Amanda M. Hale, Cris D. Hein, Rebecca R. Hernandez, Jessica A. Homyack, Henriette I. Jager, Nicole M. Korfanta, James A. Martin, Christopher E. Moorman, Clint Otto, Christine A. Ribic, Susan P. Rupp, Jake Verschuyl, Lindsay M. Wickman, T. Bently Wigley, Victoria H. Zero

Global Energy Strategies

Global Energy Strategies
Author: James C. White
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 218
Release: 2013-11-21
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1489912568

The world is getting warmer. Among scientists concerned with global climate change this is the broad consensus. How fast and by how much, are questions which cannot be answered quantitatively, but the probability of rising temperatures must be faced in a prudent manner - there is enough certainty of change so that we must anticipate and prepare before irreparable damage is done to our world. Even if it isn't going to be as bad as some people think, the actions we propose will benefit the earth and give us a kind of insurance. The root of the change is population growth, and its attendant demand for energy. While the developed world expects to hold future emissions relatively steady, the developing countries, where population growth is most rampant, will expand the use of energy as they aspire to a better quality of life. H greater energy use is inevitable it behooves us to produce that energy in the least objectionable manner, and to produce it where the cost is lowest in dollars, GNP, and environmental change.

The Power of Renewables

The Power of Renewables
Author: Chinese Academy of Engineering
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2011-01-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309160006

The United States and China are the world's top two energy consumers and, as of 2010, the two largest economies. Consequently, they have a decisive role to play in the world's clean energy future. Both countries are also motivated by related goals, namely diversified energy portfolios, job creation, energy security, and pollution reduction, making renewable energy development an important strategy with wide-ranging implications. Given the size of their energy markets, any substantial progress the two countries make in advancing use of renewable energy will provide global benefits, in terms of enhanced technological understanding, reduced costs through expanded deployment, and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to conventional generation from fossil fuels. Within this context, the U.S. National Academies, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), reviewed renewable energy development and deployment in the two countries, to highlight prospects for collaboration across the research to deployment chain and to suggest strategies which would promote more rapid and economical attainment of renewable energy goals. Main findings and concerning renewable resource assessments, technology development, environmental impacts, market infrastructure, among others, are presented. Specific recommendations have been limited to those judged to be most likely to accelerate the pace of deployment, increase cost-competitiveness, or shape the future market for renewable energy. The recommendations presented here are also pragmatic and achievable.

Harnessing Renewable Energy in Electric Power Systems

Harnessing Renewable Energy in Electric Power Systems
Author: Boaz Moselle
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2010-09-23
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 113652214X

Reflecting its reliance on fossil fuels, the electric power industry produces the majority of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. The need for a revolution in the industry becomes further apparent given that 'decarbonization' means an increasing electrification of other sectors of the economy in particular, through a switch from gasoline to electric vehicles. Of the options for producing electric power without significant greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy is most attractive to policymakers, as it promises increased national self-reliance on energy supplies and the creation of new industries and jobs, without the safety and political concerns of nuclear power or the unproven technology of carbon capture and storage. Drawing on both economic theory and the experiences of the United States and EU member states, Harnessing Renewable Energy addresses the key questions surrounding renewable energy policies. How appropriate is the focus on renewable power as a primary tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions? If renewable energy is given specific support, what form should that support take? What are the implications for power markets if renewable generation is widely adopted? Thorough and well-evidenced, this book will be of interest to a broad range of policymakers, the electric power industry, and economists who study energy and environmental issues.

Linking certificate trading schemes for greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy and energy efficiency

Linking certificate trading schemes for greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy and energy efficiency
Author: Gudrun Senk
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Total Pages: 109
Release: 2010-02-08
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 3640531248

Diploma Thesis from the year 2008 in the subject Environmental Sciences, grade: 1, University of Applied Sciences Burgenland (Nachhaltige Energiesysteme), language: English, abstract: Climate Change is real, and the impacts on ecology, economy and human lifestyle are expected to be tremendous. In order to effectively but also cost efficiently combat climate change, market based instruments are being used in environmental policy. Certificate schemes have been and are being created for trading of greenhouse gas reductions (Grey Certificates), renewable energy (Green Certificates) and energy efficiency (White Certificates). So far, Europe is the frontrunner in implementing especially Greenhouse Gas emission trading schemes. However, as climate change is a global problem, similar markets should be established all over the world and ideally be linked in order to achieve economic optimal solutions. This thesis describes characteristics of the different instruments and trading schemes (Grey, Green and White Certificates) and identifies major design parameters of the systems with the focus on compatibility and potential for establishing links between schemes of the same type or among the certificate types. Implications of establishing links, which can be planned and wanted but also conflicting with other goals, are discussed. As greenhouse gas emissions trading schemes are the most developed and experienced trading schemes in climate change policy, the focus of this work lies on the analysis of the different Greenhouse Gas emission trading schemes (ETS). For the compatibility analysis of ETS, the EU ETS is chosen as reference system. An outlook for near-term linking options and a summary conclude the analysis based on the findings of the work. As more and more environmental policies and instruments emerge around the world due to rising awareness for the problem of climate change, this thesis gives an overview but can not cover all different certificate systems in place and planned.