scholarly journals Abandoning the concept of renewable energy

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atte Harjanne ◽  
Janne M. Korhonen

Renewable energy is a widely used term that describes certain types of energy production. In politics, business and academia, renewable energy is often framed as the key solution to the global climate challenge. We, however, argue that the concept of renewable energy is problematic and should be abandoned in favor of more unambiguous conceptualization.Building on the theoretical literature on framing and based on document analysis, case examples and statistical data, we discuss how renewable energy is framed and has come to be a central energy policy concept and analyze how its use has affected the way energy policy is debated and conducted. We demonstrate the key problems the concept of renewable energy has in terms of sustainability, incoherence, policy impacts, bait-and-switch tactics and generally misleading nature. After analyzing these issues, we discuss alternative conceptualizations and present our model of categorizing energy production according to carbon content and combustion.The paper does not intend to criticize or promote any specific form of energy production, but instead discusses the role of institutional conceptualization in energy policy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2(71)) ◽  
pp. 18-25
Author(s):  
Joshgun Mammadov

The article focuses on the negative impact of traditional energy sources and the analysis of its complications on the environment. It has been suggested to use widespread of non-traditional, alternative and renewable energy sources in order to eliminate dependencies on these sources. The article also examines the role of tax policy in the international area towards increasing alternative and renewable energy production and explores implemented measures. As a result, the importance of employment of Carbon tax which is of particular importance in the development of alternative and renewable energy production has been emphasized.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ghazanfar Abbas ◽  
Wang Zhuquan ◽  
Shahid Bashir ◽  
Wasim Iqbal ◽  
Hafeez Ullah

Abstract The socioeconomic and environmental considerations of energy production have become crucial due to the increasing complexity of the relationship between energy and the environment. In this context, this study aims to develop possible mechanisms for perspectives of energy policy on environmental by exploring the mediating role of renewable energy patents. The study used a non-radial data envelopment analysis (DEA) model and panel data model for 30 Chinese provinces by taking the panel data from 2010 to 2017. The results show that the overall environmental performance index (EPI) of Chinese areas is improved by 9.88% from 2010 to 2017. Further, The econometric model findings offer evidence that provincial renewable energy policies and emission reduction policies positively impact the enhancement of EPI. The results also show that the P values of the single-threshold model and the double-threshold model both passed the 1% significance test, so it can be concluded that there is a double-threshold effect. Finally, the research findings posed several policy implications based on the research findings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 2062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariarosa Argentiero ◽  
Pasquale Marcello Falcone

This paper is based on a novel approach towards clean energy production, i.e., space innovative applications toward sustainable development. Specifically, the role of Earth observation (EO) satellites in maximizing renewable energy production is considered to show the enormous potential in exploiting sustainable energy generation plants when the Earth is mapped by satellites to provide some peculiar parameters (e.g., solar irradiance, wind speed, precipitation, climate conditions, geothermal data). In this framework, RETScreen clean energy management software can be used for numerical analysis, such as energy generation and efficiency, prices, emission reductions, financial viability and hazard of various types of renewable-energy and energy-efficient technologies (RETs), based on a large database of satellite parameters. This simplifies initial assessments and provides streamlined processes that enable funders, architects, designers, regulators, etc. to make decisions on future clean energy initiatives. After describing the logic of life cycle analysis of RETScreen, two case studies (Mexicali and Toronto) on multiple technologies power plant are analyzed. The different results obtained, when projecting the two scenarios, showed how the software could be useful in the pre-feasibility phase to discriminate the type of installation not efficient for the selected location or not convenient in terms of internal rate of return (IRR) on equity.


2007 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Beccali ◽  
Maurizio Cellura ◽  
Marina Mistretta

Author(s):  
Mirosław BICZKOWSKI ◽  
Aleksandra JEZIERSKA-THOLE ◽  
Anna DUBOWNIK

At present, the energy from renewable sources is an important element of the sustainable development strategy of the European Union (strategy covering the period until 2020). The article presents the role of renewable energy in the structure of primary energy sources and total energy production. In order to evaluate the present-day role of the renewable energy sector, specific European Union states were analysed, with particular focus on Poland, the country whose results were juxtaposed with the average ratios established for the EU-28. A detailed analysis of the current facts was performed (also a forecast for the period running up to 2020 was made), where particular energy sources were distinguished in the renewable energy production structure. A special role among renewable energy sources was ascribed to solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, geothermal energy, biogases and biofuels. The conclusions drawn from the research point out to the fact that the development of renewable energy in Poland is growing slowly but surely. In 2011, the share was at 9.5% and by 2015 it grew to 11.8%, with the target set for 2020 being at the level of 15.0%. The production of energy from renewable sources is improving (from 7.5 to 8.1 Mtoe). Nevertheless, the share of primary energy obtained from renewable energy sources in the total primary energy is less than half of the EU share. The data showcase that the projected aim is likely to be achieved; however, the few years to come should envisage some intensification of activities oriented to this goal. Biomass now enjoys the dominant role but its significance is gradually waning, which favours wind energy and biofuels. The projected directions of renewable energy development indicate that this sector is going to be a significant factor in implementing the sustainable development policy in the years to come.


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