scholarly journals Toward Low-Carbon European Union Society: Young Poles’ Perception of Climate Neutrality

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 5107
Author(s):  
Jarosław Gryz ◽  
Barbara Kaczmarczyk
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Energy Awareness ◽  
Hydrogen Energy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Climate Neutrality

(1) Introduction: The European Union is a global leader in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The community’s population has already reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 22%, while the gross domestic product (GDP) in its member states increased by 58% between 1990 and 2017. The Union has shown that economic growth is possible in the link between politics, nature, and the citizens’ eco-empathy. It has implications for both the European and global economy, infrastructure, food production, public health, and biodiversity, the formula for political stability. The hallmark of the European Union is the blending of politics, culture, and nature in its quest for climate neutrality. The community’s horizon is a zero-emission economy by 2050. (2) Theoretical framework: The cognitive assumptions of the article are the following theses: 1. The Union strives to accelerate the transition process to a regenerative growth model using technologies for obtaining and distributing energy for individual and collective needs; 2. The Union and the European citizens want to hand over more to planet Earth than they take away from it, thus making progress toward keeping resource consumption within planetary limits. 3. The Union aims to reduce its consumption footprint and double the rate of applying closed-loop materials in the next decade. Finally, it fits in with the organization’s policy projections. (3) Methodology and research results: Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used in the research process. The literature has been analyzed on the subject and the applicable legal acts, making it possible to classify, generalize, describe, and systematize the facts collected during the research. A survey was conducted on 1106 students, and in-depth interviews were conducted with three energy experts: Krzysztof Tomaszewski (the University of Warsaw, researcher and lecturer on energy security issues), Dariusz Pachniewski (inventor in energy sector, businessman in hydrogen energy sector), and Tomoho Umeda (President of Polish Chamber of Commerce). The research aimed to identify the environmental and energy awareness, knowledge of renewable energy sources, and opinions of young Poles on their use in two areas: home and work. (4) Discussion: The reinforced narrative of creating a low-carbon society, a green economy, was adapted and evaluated for innovative individual and collective approaches in the research conducted in this paper. In the quantitative and qualitative samples, the assumptions made were double-checked. The former verified the students’ views, while the latter, the experts’ views. The procedure established the directions of knowledge evolution and approach to technologies and innovations among students of technical faculties related to the energy sector. There were existing individual and collective mental constructs on energy transition and climate neutrality identified. (5) Conclusions: The surveys conducted among university students of energy-related majors and specialties and experts revealed important information. First, it concerned the way knowledge is communicated and how it is interpreted; second, informing and implementing the European Union’s climate policy; third, the creation of a low-carbon society; fourth, the perception of climate neutrality among young Poles, and finally, preferences in energy generation and use in homes and businesses.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Renewable Energy Sector Performance Using Selected Indicators in European Union Countries

Resources ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominika Čeryová ◽  
Tatiana Bullová ◽  
Natália Turčeková ◽  
Izabela Adamičková ◽  
Danka Moravčíková ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
European Union Countries ◽  
Average Average

Renewable energy is the key pillar and plays an important role in the energy systems of European Union member states and in mitigating climate change. It is supporting the transition towards a greener, resource-efficient and more competitive, low-carbon European Union economy. Above-average, average and below-average values of monitored indicators in member states of the European Union in 2009–2016 were ascertained by using principal component analysis. Monitored indicators of the renewable energy sector included electricity generation, electricity capacity, investments of public financial institutions, number of employees and turnover achieved from the economic activities related to production, distribution, installation, operation and maintenance of equipment (all of them per capita). Based on the achieved results, we can state that the situation changed during the period under review. Member states have moved between above-average, average and below-average levels of renewable energy indicators. However, a lack of change in the indicators was recorded in some member states throughout the eight-year period (Finland, France, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Spain did not move significantly). Renewable energy sources (hydro, wind, solar, geothermal and energy from biomass) were evaluated as a whole due to different natural, economic and legislative conditions of European Union countries.

Energy security of the European Union – opportunities and challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 93-107
Author(s):  
Dominika Czapla
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
The Future ◽  
Nord Stream

For many years, the future of energy has been one of the most important problems and challenges for both national and global policy making. It is related to the high responsibility of the energy sector for climate change on Earth, but also for caring about ensuring sufficient energy for the future generations. Thus, energy policy is an important pillar of maintaining, broadly understood as internal security of the country. The biggest challenge related to ensuring energy security of the European Union is the diversification of energy sources. Member States are trying to tackle this challenge in two ways. Firstly, through the development of renewable energy, and secondly, looking for new channels for the supply of non-renewable energy. The restructuring of the energy sector, which has taken place in recent years, in accordance with the guidelines of the European Union, aims to intensify the use of environmentally friendly renewable energy sources. Equally important is the construction of the Nord Stream 2 and Turk Steam gas pipelines, which has been ongoing for several years, which raises much controversy in the Member States. The article is an analysis of the opportunities and challenges facing the European Union related to ensuring stable energy supplies to European citizens.

scholarly journals A MULTIDIMENSIONAL COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE LEVEL OF SUSTAINABILITY OF THE ENERGY SECTOR OF THE EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES

2020 ◽  
Vol XXII (2) ◽  
pp. 164-172
Author(s):  
Łukasz Paluch ◽  
Mariusz Dacko
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
European Countries ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Renewable Sources ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eastern European Countries

The paper addresses the problem of energy sustainability of European Union countries in terms of renewable energy sources, energy consumption levels as well as energy dependency and energy intensity of the economy. The aim of the study was to identify and assess the key characteristics of the energy sector of EU members states between 2006 and 2016 using taxonomy, which is one of the basic tools in a multi-dimensional comparative analysis. The analysis revealed that, despite common challenges, different member states showed varied levels of the implementation of EU climate and energy targets. In terms of the approach to the production and consumption of primary energy, EU countries can be divided into two groups. In most Western European countries, energy production is mainly based on renewable sources. However, it only meets a small portion of the domestic economy’s needs. In contrast, Central Eastern European countries are characterized by greater concentration on aspects of self-sufficiency and security of own energy systems. In such countries, the share of renewable sources in overall energy generation is smaller.

scholarly journals Significance of the Climate and Energy Package for the Development of Renewable Energy Sources in the European Union

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-60
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Pach-Gurgul
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Energy Package

The utilisation of renewable energy in the European Union seems, at the present stage of energy policy development, inevitable. It offers many benefits, including, above all: the possibility of increasing the energy security of a given state or region thanks to the diversification of the sources of energy supply, the limitation of imports from energy suppliers, such as of natural gas or oil, thus reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, ecological effects connected with the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions and other substances harmful to the natural environment, economic and social benefits, such as the creation of new jobs. The Climate and Energy Package obliges member states to pursue a common aim – to increase the share of renewable energy to 20% in the general energy balance of the European Union by 2020. This is a challenging task, since the renewable energy sector requires significant financial support to increase its competitiveness, compared to traditional energy sources. When adopting the Energy Package, leaders of member states did not anticipate the economic crisis and its impact on the European Union’s economy, and on the energy sector in particular.  

scholarly journals The Place of Photovoltaics in Poland’s Energy Mix

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1471
Author(s):  
Renata Gnatowska ◽  
Elżbieta Moryń-Kucharczyk
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Current State ◽  
High Investment ◽  
Climate Neutrality

The energy strategy and environmental policy in the European Union are climate neutrality, low-carbon gas emissions, and an environmentally friendly economy by fighting global warming and increasing energy production from renewable sources (RES). These sources, which are characterized by high investment costs, require the use of appropriate support mechanisms introduced with suitable regulations. The article presents the current state and perspectives of using renewable energy sources in Poland, especially photovoltaic systems (PV). The specific features of Polish photovoltaics and the economic analysis of investment in a photovoltaic farm with a capacity of 1 MW are presented according to a new act on renewable energy sources. This publication shows the importance of government support that is adequate for the green energy producers.

scholarly journals GREEN ECONOMY CONSTRUCTION AS THE MAIN COMPONENT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION OF UKRAINE

2017 ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
Diana Garlytska
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
European Integration ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Association Agreement ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Carbon Economy ◽  
The Eu

Introduction.The Association Agreement with the EU requires the Ukrainian financial and economic system to adapt to European standards in production and readiness for the future perspective of integration into the European market of emissions trading. Green economy construction in Ukraine and compliance with requirements of the Association Agreement determine the possibility of eurointegration of our state. Purpose. The aim of the article is to justify the need to build a green (low carbon) economy as an important prerequisite for the successful integration of Ukraine into the European Union. Method (methodology). The dialectical method of cognition, the fundamental aspects of the concept of sustainable development have become the methodological basis of the study. Results.The necessity of building a green (low carbon) economy as an important precondition for the successful integration of Ukraine into the European Union has been substantiated. The essense of the concepts of the green economy, green growth and sustainable development have been disclosed. The measures for cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the field of environmental protection in the context of European integration have been determined.

scholarly journals Changes in Electricity Production from Renewable Energy Sources in the European Union Countries in 2005–2019

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 6276
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Matuszewska-Janica ◽  
Dorota Żebrowska-Suchodolska ◽  
Urszula Ala-Karvia ◽  
Marta Hozer-Koćmiel
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Renewable Sources ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
The Eu

The policy related to the use of renewable sources is a key element of the energy policy executed in the European Union (EU). One of the targets set for 2050 is to increase the share of electricity in energy consumption to 50%, and 80% of electricity is to be generated from low-carbon sources. In recent years, the EU economies have significantly modified their electricity production, which raises the question of the scale of these changes. The aim of the presented analysis is to assess changes in the use of renewable sources for electricity production in the EU countries in 2005–2019. Gini coefficient and k-mean are applied in the analysis. The conducted research shows that EU countries, in line with the energy policy assumptions, have both increased the share of renewable sources in energy production, especially in electricity production, as well as increased the diversity of used renewable sources. The results also indicate a vast diversity in terms of the use of such sources for the production of renewable electricity in the EU. This indicates that the energy transition is being implemented by EU countries with individual country-level approaches. Nonetheless, a variety of the EU’s both support and restrictive measures are of considerable importance for the ongoing energy transition.

Determinants and barriers of PV self-consumption in Spain from the perception of the installers for the promotion of distributed energy systems

2020 ◽  
pp. 153-169
Author(s):  
José Ángel Gimeno ◽  
Eva Llera Sastresa ◽  
Sabina Scarpellini
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Distributed Energy ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Transition Scenario

Currently, self-consumption and distributed energy facilities are considered as viable and sustainable solutions in the energy transition scenario within the European Union. In a low carbon society, the exploitation of renewables for self-consumption is closely tied to the energy market at the territorial level, in search of a compromise between competitiveness and the sustainable exploitation of resources. Investments in these facilities are highly sensitive to the existence of favourable conditions at the territorial level, and the energy policies adopted in the European Union have contributed positively to the distributed renewables development and the reduction of their costs in the last decade. However, the number of the installed facilities is uneven in the European Countries and those factors that are more determinant for the investments in self-consumption are still under investigation. In this scenario, this paper presents the main results obtained through the analysis of the determinants in self-consumption investments from a case study in Spain, where the penetration of this type of facilities is being less relevant than in other countries. As a novelty of this study, the main influential drivers and barriers in self-consumption are classified and analysed from the installers' perspective. On the basis of the information obtained from the installers involved in the installation of these facilities, incentives and barriers are analysed within the existing legal framework and the potential specific lines of the promotion for the effective deployment of self-consumption in an energy transition scenario.

European Energy Security

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Almas Heshmati ◽  
Shahrouz Abolhosseini
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
The European Union

This chapter reviews relevant literature on the current state and effectiveness of developing renewable energy on energy security in general, and on energy security in the European Union (EU) in particular. The chapter elaborates on primary energy import sources, possible alternatives, and how energy security is affected by the sources of supply. It also gives an analysis of the effects of the Ukrainian crisis, the isolation of Iran on diversification sources, and on European energy security. It examines EU’s energy policy, analyses the best motivation for a new energy policy direction within Europe, and suggests alternative solutions for enhanced energy supply security. The aim is to suggest suitable solutions for energy security in Europe through energy supply diversification. Supply diversification includes alternative energy corridors for reducing dependency on Russia as a supplier and enhancing the power generated by renewable energy sources under the European Union 2020 strategy.

scholarly journals Post COVID-19 Recovery and 2050 Climate Change Targets: Changing the Emphasis from Promotion of Renewables to Mandated Curtailment of Fossil Fuels in the EU Policies

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1347
Author(s):  
Kyriakos Maniatis ◽  
David Chiaramonti ◽  
Eric van den Heuvel
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
The European Union

The present work considers the dramatic changes the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the global economy, with particular emphasis on energy. Focusing on the European Union, the article discusses the opportunities policy makers can implement to reduce the climate impacts and achieve the Paris Agreement 2050 targets. The analysis specifically looks at the fossil fuels industry and the future of the fossil sector post COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis first revises the fossil fuel sector, and then considers the need for a shift of the global climate change policy from promoting the deployment of renewable energy sources to curtailing the use of fossil fuels. This will be a change to the current global approach, from a relative passive one to a strategically dynamic and proactive one. Such a curtailment should be based on actual volumes of fossil fuels used and not on percentages. Finally, conclusions are preliminary applied to the European Union policies for net zero by 2050 based on a two-fold strategy: continuing and reinforcing the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive to 2035, while adopting a new directive for fixed and over time increasing curtailment of fossils as of 2025 until 2050.

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