scholarly journals Combined solar power and storage as cost-competitive and grid-compatible supply for China’s future carbon-neutral electricity system

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (42) ◽  
pp. e2103471118
Author(s):  
Xi Lu ◽  
Shi Chen ◽  
Chris P. Nielsen ◽  
Chongyu Zhang ◽  
Jiacong Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Power ◽  
Average Power ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Electricity System ◽  
Technical Potential ◽  
Technical Advances ◽  
The Cost ◽  
And Storage

As the world’s largest CO2 emitter, China’s ability to decarbonize its energy system strongly affects the prospect of achieving the 1.5 °C limit in global, average surface-temperature rise. Understanding technically feasible, cost-competitive, and grid-compatible solar photovoltaic (PV) power potentials spatiotemporally is critical for China’s future energy pathway. This study develops an integrated model to evaluate the spatiotemporal evolution of the technology-economic-grid PV potentials in China during 2020 to 2060 under the assumption of continued cost degression in line with the trends of the past decade. The model considers the spatialized technical constraints, up-to-date economic parameters, and dynamic hourly interactions with the power grid. In contrast to the PV production of 0.26 PWh in 2020, results suggest that China’s technical potential will increase from 99.2 PWh in 2020 to 146.1 PWh in 2060 along with technical advances, and the national average power price could decrease from 4.9 to 0.4 US cents/kWh during the same period. About 78.6% (79.7 PWh) of China’s technical potential will realize price parity to coal-fired power in 2021, with price parity achieved nationwide by 2023. The cost advantage of solar PV allows for coupling with storage to generate cost-competitive and grid-compatible electricity. The combined systems potentially could supply 7.2 PWh of grid-compatible electricity in 2060 to meet 43.2% of the country’s electricity demand at a price below 2.5 US cents/kWh. The findings highlight a crucial energy transition point, not only for China but for other countries, at which combined solar power and storage systems become a cheaper alternative to coal-fired electricity and a more grid-compatible option.

scholarly journals The effect of differentiating costs of capital by country and technology on the European energy transition

2021 ◽  
Vol 167 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Friedemann Polzin ◽  
Mark Sanders ◽  
Bjarne Steffen ◽  
Florian Egli ◽  
Tobias S. Schmidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Of Capital ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy System ◽  
World Market ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Electricity System ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Low Carbon Energy

AbstractCost of capital is an important driver of investment decisions, including the large investments needed to execute the low-carbon energy transition. Most models, however, abstract from country or technology differences in cost of capital and use uniform assumptions. These might lead to biased results regarding the transition of certain countries towards renewables in the power mix and potentially to a sub-optimal use of public resources. In this paper, we differentiate the cost of capital per country and technology for European Union (EU) countries to more accurately reflect real-world market conditions. Using empirical data from the EU, we find significant differences in the cost of capital across countries and energy technologies. Implementing these differentiated costs of capital in an energy model, we show large implications for the technology mix, deployment, carbon emissions and electricity system costs. Cost-reducing effects stemming from financing experience are observed in all EU countries and their impact is larger in the presence of high carbon prices. In sum, we contribute to the development of energy system models with a method to differentiate the cost of capital for incumbent fossil fuel technologies as well as novel renewable technologies. The increasingly accurate projections of such models can help policymakers engineer a more effective and efficient energy transition.

scholarly journals Impacts of Electric Road Systems on the German and Swedish Electricity Systems—An Energy System Model Comparison

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Olovsson ◽  
Maria Taljegard ◽  
Michael Von Bonin ◽  
Norman Gerhardt ◽  
Filip Johnsson
Keyword(s):  
Wind Power ◽  
Peak Power ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Electricity System ◽  
Road Systems ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Electricity Systems

This study analyses the impacts of electrification of the transport sector, involving both static charging and electric road systems (ERS), on the Swedish and German electricity systems. The impact on the electricity system of large-scale ERS is investigated by comparing the results from two model packages: 1) a modeling package that consists of an electricity system investment model (ELIN) and electricity system dispatch model (EPOD); and 2) an energy system investment and dispatch model (SCOPE). The same set of scenarios are run for both model packages and the results for ERS are compared. The modeling results show that the additional electricity load arising from large-scale implementation of ERS is mainly, depending on model and scenario, met by investments in wind power in Sweden (40–100%) and in both wind (20–75%) and solar power (40–100%) in Germany. This study also concludes that ERS increase the peak power demand (i.e., the net load) in the electricity system. Therefore, when using ERS, there is a need for additional investments in peak power units and storage technologies to meet this new load. A smart integration of other electricity loads than ERS, such as optimization of static charging at the home location of passenger cars, can facilitate efficient use of renewable electricity also with an electricity system including ERS. A comparison between the results from the different models shows that assumptions and methodological choices dictate which types of investments are made (e.g., wind, solar and thermal power plants) to cover the additional demand for electricity arising from the use of ERS. Nonetheless, both modeling packages yield increases in investments in solar power (Germany) and in wind power (Sweden) in all the scenarios, to cover the new electricity demand for ERS.

Low Carbon Transition of Power System in China: Pathways and Policy Design Implications

2011 ◽  
Vol 361-363 ◽  
pp. 1832-1836
Author(s):  
Chang Hong Zhao ◽  
Yan Xu ◽  
Jia Hai Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Policy Design ◽  
Reference Value ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Transition Management ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Package Design ◽  
Electricity System ◽  
Low Carbon Energy

This paper studies the low carbon transition of electricity system in China. The paper describes the approach, which builds on transitions and transition management using a multi-level perspective (MLP) of niches, socio-technical regime and landscape. A MLP analysis on China’s power sector is presented to understand the current landscape, regime and niches. Five transition pathways with their possible technology options are presented. The paper goes further to propose an interactive management framework for low carbon energy system transition in China and reprehensive technology options are appraised to indicate the policy package design logic in the framework. The work in the paper will be useful in informing policy-makers and other stakeholders and may provide reference value for other countries for energy transition management.

scholarly journals Potentials and Costs of various Renewable Gases: A Case Study for the Austrian Energy System by 2050

Detritus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 106-120
Author(s):  
Daniel Cenk Rosenfeld ◽  
Johannes Lindorfer ◽  
Hans Böhm ◽  
Andreas Zauner ◽  
Karin Fazeni-Fraisl
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Biomass Gasification ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Anaerobic Digesters ◽  
Synthetic Natural Gas ◽  
Technical Potential ◽  
Methane Potential ◽  
Power To Gas ◽  
The Cost

This analysis estimates the technically available potentials of renewable gases from anaerobic conversion and biomass gasification of organic waste materials, as well as power-to-gas (H2 and synthetic natural gas based on renewable electricity) for Austria, as well as their approximate energy production costs. Furthermore, it outlines a theoretical expansion scenario for plant erection aimed at fully using all technical potentials by 2050. The overall result, illustrated as a theoretical merit order, is a ranking of technologies and resources by their potential and cost, starting with the least expensive and ending with the most expensive. The findings point to a renewable methane potential of about 58 TWh per year by 2050. The highest potential originates from biomass gasification (~49 TWh per year), while anaerobic digestion (~6 TWh per year) and the power-to-gas of green CO2 from biogas upgrading (~3 TWh per year) demonstrate a much lower technical potential. To fully use these potentials, 870 biomass gasification plants, 259 anaerobic digesters, and 163 power-to-gas plants to be built by 2050 in the full expansion scenario. From the cost perspective, all technologies are expected to experience decreasing specific energy costs in the expansion scenario. This cost decrease is not significant for biomass gasification, at only about 0.1 €-cent/kWh, resulting in a cost range between 10.7 and 9.0 €-cent/kWh depending on the year and fuel. However, for anaerobic digestion, the cost decrease is significant, with a reduction from 7.9 to 5.6 €-cent/kWh. It is even more significant for power-to-gas, with a reduction from 10.8 to 5.1 €-cent/kWh between 2030 and 2050.

scholarly journals Design of Clean Steel Production with Hydrogen: Impact of Electricity System Composition

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 8349
Author(s):  
Alla Toktarova ◽  
Lisa Göransson ◽  
Filip Johnsson
Keyword(s):  
Cost Minimization ◽  
Direct Reduction ◽  
Steel Production ◽  
Optimal Operation ◽  
Electricity Price ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Electricity System ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Hot Briquetted Iron

In Europe, electrification is considered a key option to obtain a cleaner production of steel at the same time as the electricity system production portfolio is expected to consist of an increasing share of varying renewable electricity (VRE) generation, mainly in the form of solar PV and wind power. We investigate cost-efficient designs of hydrogen-based steelmaking in electricity systems dominated by VRE. We develop and apply a linear cost-minimization model with an hourly time resolution, which determines cost-optimal operation and sizing of the units in hydrogen-based steelmaking including an electrolyser, direct reduction shaft, electric arc furnace, as well as storage for hydrogen and hot-briquetted iron pellets. We show that the electricity price following steelmaking leads to savings in running costs but to increased capital cost due to investments in the overcapacity of steel production units and storage units for hydrogen and hot-briquetted iron pellets. For two VRE-dominated regions, we show that the electricity price following steel production reduces the total steel production cost by 23% and 17%, respectively, as compared to continuous steel production at a constant level. We also show that the cost-optimal design of the steelmaking process is dependent upon the electricity system mix.

Analysis of generation cost changes during China’s energy transition

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 456-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenli Qiang ◽  
Shuwen Niu ◽  
Xiaojie Liu ◽  
Xiang Wang ◽  
Zhuo Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Emission Trading ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy System ◽  
System Transformation ◽  
Generation Cost ◽  
The Government ◽  
Carbon Emission Trading ◽  
The Cost

How to cut down power generation cost is an important issue during energy system transformation. This study examines the pathway of China’s coal-fired and clean power’s unit generation cost changes during 2007–2015 and predicts the change trends of each type of power between 2016 and 2025. The results show that the cost of coal-fired power will increase to 0.50–0.73 Yuan/kWh in 2025 because of the stricter environmental regulations and the establishment of a nationwide carbon emission trading market. Conversely, the cost of clean energy power, with the exception of hydropower, shows a decreasing trend between 2007 and 2025, with the costs of nuclear power, solar power, and wind power declining from 0.40, 4.34, and 0.56 Yuan/kWh to 0.33, 0.31, and 0.49 Yuan/kWh, respectively. However, the cost of hydropower displays an increasing trend from 0.22 to 0.26 Yuan/kWh during 2007–2025 due to increases in construction costs. Considering the external cost increases applying to coal-fired power and the declining trend caused by the learning rates of renewable power, the cost of all the clean energy power will be lower than the costs of coal-fired power before 2025. The cost sharing of coal-fired power is also analyzed in this study. However, there are a number of relevant economic and policy measures that are needed to be taken by the government to fulfill this transformation.

Assessment of the Availability and Penetration of Solar PV, Wind and Biogas in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amevi Acakpovi ◽  
Joana Mendy Okechukwu ◽  
Patrick Adjei ◽  
Eric Asamoah
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Generation ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Renewable Energies ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Electricity Grid ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Cost Of Energy ◽  
The Cost

Access to energy is pivotal to the socio-economic growth of many developing countries, including Ghana. Energy generation from fossil fuels is not sustainable and leads to global warming, which is detrimental to the environment. This study seeks to establish how renewable energies are embedded and utilised in the Ghanaian energy system and the factors that can expedite the speedy penetration of renewable technologies into the country, particularly solar PV, wind, and biogas. The study adopted a mixed research approach which includes quantitative and qualitative studies. The findings revealed that solar energy is the most available resource in the country compared to other renewables. It was also indicative that integrating solar PV, wind and biogas in the national electricity grid will improve the percentage of energy generation mix, which will help sustain constant power supply, reduce the cost of energy charges, and consequently improve the country’s economy. The results also showed the possible factors that affect future penetration of these technologies, including unavailability of consumer financing opportunities, inadequate training facilities, lack of adequate regulations/policies, lack of information on the cost and benefits of renewable energies. The six findings of the paper established the availability of renewables in Ghana and the prospect of their related technology. While solar PV is on the ascendency, biogas is progressing gradually and wind is moving at a snail’s pace. This study significantly established the benefits of incorporating solar PV, wind and biogas in the Ghanaian energy mix to improve the electricity supply and further outlined the impeding factors that need to be improved upon through policy.

scholarly journals Exergy as Criteria for Efficient Energy Systems—A Spatially Resolved Comparison of the Current Exergy Consumption, the Current Useful Exergy Demand and Renewable Exergy Potential

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Sejkora ◽  
Lisa Kühberger ◽  
Fabian Radner ◽  
Alexander Trattner ◽  
Thomas Kienberger
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
Technical Potential ◽  
Exergy Consumption

The energy transition from fossil-based energy sources to renewable energy sources of an industrialized country is a big challenge and needs major systemic changes to the energy supply. Such changes require a holistic view of the energy system, which includes both renewable potentials and consumption. Thereby exergy, which describes the quality of energy, must also be considered. In this work, the determination and analysis of such a holistic view of a country are presented, using Austria as an example. The methodology enables the calculation of the spatially resolved current exergy consumption, the spatially resolved current useful exergy demand and the spatially resolved technical potential of renewable energy sources (RES). Top-down and bottom-up approaches are combined in order to increase accuracy. We found that, currently, Austria cannot self-supply with exergy using only RES. Therefore, Austria should increase the efficiency of its energy system, since the overall exergy efficiency is only at 34%. The spatially resolved analysis shows that in Austria the exergy potential of RES is rather evenly distributed. In contrast, the exergy consumption is concentrated in urban and industrial areas. Therefore, the future energy infrastructure must compensate for these spatial discrepancies.

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