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.

scholarly journals Analyzing Similarities between the European Union Countries in Terms of the Structure and Volume of Energy Production from Renewable Energy Sources

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarosław Brodny ◽  
Magdalena Tutak
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
The Eu

The European Union (EU) countries, as one of the most economically developed regions in the world, are taking increasingly decisive actions to reduce the emission of harmful substances into the natural environment. This can be exemplified by a new climate strategy referred to as “The European Green Deal”. Its basic assumption is that the EU countries will have achieved climate neutrality by 2050. To do so, it is necessary to make an energy transition involving the widest possible use of renewable energy sources (RES) for energy production. However, activities in this area should be preceded by analyses due to the large diversity of the EU countries in terms of economic development, the number of inhabitants and their wealth as well as geographical location and area. The results of such analyses should support the implementation of adopted strategies. In order to assess the current state of the energy sector in the EU and indicate future directions of activities, research was carried out to analyze the structure and volume of energy production from RES in the EU countries. The aim of the study was to divide the EU countries into similar groups by the structure and volume of energy production from RES. This production was compared with the number of inhabitants of each EU country, its area and the value of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This approach allows a new and broader view of the structure of energy production from RES and creates an opportunity to take into account additional factors when developing and implementing new climate strategies. The k-means algorithm was used for the analysis. The presented analyses and obtained results constitute a new approach to studying the diversified energy market in the EU. The results should be used for the development of a common energy and climate policy and economic integration of the EU countries.

scholarly journals Changes in Energy Consumption in Agriculture in the EU Countries

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1570
Author(s):  
Tomasz Rokicki ◽  
Aleksandra Perkowska ◽  
Bogdan Klepacki ◽  
Piotr Bórawski ◽  
Aneta Bełdycka-Bórawska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Research Hypothesis ◽  
The Eu

The paper’s main purpose was to identify and present the current situation and changes in energy consumption in agriculture in the European Union (EU) countries. The specific objectives were the determination of the degree of concentration of energy consumption in agriculture in the EU countries, showing the directions of their changes, types of energy used, and changes in this respect, establishing the correlation between energy consumption and changes in the economic and agricultural situation in the EU countries. All member states of the European Union were deliberately selected for research on 31 December 2018 (28 countries). The research period covered the years 2005–2018. The sources of materials were the literature on the subject, and data from Eurostat. Descriptive, tabular, and graphical methods were used to analyze and present materials, dynamics indicators with a stable base, Gini concentration coefficient, concentration analysis using the Lorenz curve, coefficient of variation, Kendall’s tau correlation coefficient, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. A high concentration of energy consumption in agriculture was found in several EU countries, the largest in countries with the largest agricultural sector, i.e., France and Poland. There were practically no changes in the concentration level. Only in the case of renewable energy, a gradual decrease in concentration was visible. More and more countries developed technologies that allow the use of this type of energy. However, the EU countries differed in terms of the structure of the energy sources used. The majority of the basis was liquid fuels, while stable and gaseous fuels were abandoned in favor of electricity and renewable sources—according to which, in the EU countries, the research hypothesis was confirmed: a gradual diversification of energy sources used in agriculture, with a systematic increase in the importance of renewable energy sources. The second research hypothesis was also confirmed, according to which the increase in the consumption of renewable energy in agriculture is closely related to the economy’s parameters. The use of renewable energy is necessary and results from concern for the natural environment. Therefore, economic factors may have a smaller impact.

scholarly journals The Policy of Renewable Energy Sources in the Function of the Environmental Protection in the EU

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-353
Author(s):  
Dejan Ž. Đorđević ◽  
Milan Veselinović
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Total Energy Balance ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThe policy of renewable energy sources has gained more importance over recent years. The European Union is facing serious challenges regarding greenhouse gas emissions and energy sustainability, followed by the supply security, import dependence and competitiveness as well as the effective implementation of the internal energy market. The energy policy of the European Union is the most effective response to the new situation the member states of the European Union are facing. The EU energy policy aims to cause a new industrial revolution and the growth of the economic energy efficiency with low emissions of carbon dioxide. In order to achieve this, targets have been set for the future. Among them is the increase in the share of production and consumption of renewable energy in the total energy balance.

scholarly journals Achievements of the European Union Countries in Seeking a Sustainable Electricity Sector

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 2254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Indre Siksnelyte ◽  
Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Electricity Sector ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Sustainable Electricity ◽  
The Eu

The electricity production sector has a significant share of final energy consumption and has a huge potential to use more renewable energy sources. Over the last two decades, the European Union (EU) reform of electricity markets has had positive results, and market liberalization acts as a stimulus for energy efficiency, lower prices, and technological progress. Today’s EU policy for the development of electricity and the entire energy sector seeks to provide system modernization, stability, reinforcement of the single market, and implementation of climate change policy with an emphasis on the decarbonization of energy sources and the increase of energy efficiency. After all of the EU efforts to form an electricity sector in member states, it is necessary to assess the efficiency of the policy implemented and to identify the results achieved in shaping a sustainable electricity sector. The purpose of this article is to carry out a sustainability assessment of the electricity sector in the EU countries. A set of eight indicators designed to assess the sustainability of the electricity sector of different EU countries in 2017 has been drawn up. The assessment is made using the multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM) Technique for Order Preference (TOPSIS). The assessment shows that the electricity market of Slovenia is the most sustainable, with Luxembourg in the second position in the EU.

scholarly journals Circular economy: advancement of European Union countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Mazur-Wierzbicka
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Development Strategies ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Scholarly Publications ◽  
The Eu

Abstract Background Circular economy (CE) is a development priority of the European Union and it is part of the EU industrial strategy. The transition to a more circular economy is an essential contribution to the EU’s efforts to develop a sustainable, low carbon, resource-efficient and competitive economy. The author focuses her CE-related reflections and research in this paper on the macro-level (research subjects: 28 EU countries), the level which is least represented in scholarly publications addressing CE (as follows from the analysis of literature in the Scopus database). This study aims to fill this gap partially. The aim of this paper is to identify and group the EU-28 countries according to their advancement towards circular economy. CE indicators proposed by the European Commission were used for the analysis. Given the research subjects and after an analysis of the literature they were concluded to be the most adequate. The theoretical part was based on an analysis of the literature, whereas the empirical work used the principal components analysis, hierarchical and k-means clustering and a grade correspondence-cluster analysis. Results On the basis of the research, the existence of a “two-speed Europe” was identified in terms of EU countries’ advancement towards CE. Leading countries, those most advanced in pursuing operation according to CE principles, include Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The second pole accommodates EU countries in which transformation towards CE is happening at the slowest pace. This group includes mainly countries of the Central and Eastern Europe and the countries of the south of Europe. Conclusions Differentiated levels of advancement of individual countries towards CE result inter alia from the adoption by some of the latter of different development strategies for their economies’ transitioning to circular economy (according to recommendations of EU ministers at the Environment Council in June 2016) and also from the differences occurring in social and economic development (it is mostly noticeable between the EU-15 and the EU-13 countries). Unfortunately, as can be concluded from the effects obtained so far, only a few of the adopted development strategies may be considered effective in meeting the challenges of circular economy according to the European Union’s standards.

scholarly journals The Economic Impact of Investment in Renewables in Croatia by 2030

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 8215
Author(s):  
Tomislav Gelo ◽  
Nika Šimurina ◽  
Jurica Šimurina
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Renewable Sources ◽  
Macroeconomic Effects ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Production Capacities

At the beginning of 2020, the Strategy of the Republic of Croatia until 2030 with an outlook to 2050 was adopted. The Strategy analyzes two energy transition scenarios, the accelerated energy transition and the moderate energy transition. The Strategy is guided and defined by goals set out by the European Union (EU), which primarily states to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and increase the share of renewable energy sources. In order to reach these goals, it is necessary to substitute fossil fuel capacities with new capacities for the production of electricity from renewable sources. In order to do so, a new wave of investments is needed. The Strategy does not detail the macroeconomic effects of investments in renewable sources on the Croatian economy, generally quantified through GDP growth and employment. This paper analyzes the macroeconomic effects of announced investments in renewable energy sources for electricity production. The analysis encompasses the time period 2021–2030. The effects are quantified using the input–output tables for Croatia. The analysis exhibits relatively modest macroeconomic effects of investments into renewable energy on the Croatian economy. The paper concludes that it is necessary to change the structure and dynamics of investment in renewable energy. First, the investment should go into sources with the highest domestic component in investments and at the same time develop production capacities in technologies and equipment production for wind and solar capacities.

scholarly journals Using MCDM Methods to Assess the Extent to which the European Union Countries Use Renewable Energy

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-199
Author(s):  
Magdalena Tutak
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Eu

Abstract Energy security is one of the basic tasks carried out by individual countries. It is of great socio-economic and political importance and constitutes the basis for independent development of both economies and groups of countries. Access to adequate resources of affordable and environmentally neutral energy in the production process is the basis for sustainable energy development. Therefore, an important element of sustainable energy is its environmental neutrality. Currently, this condition is fulfilled to the greatest extent by energy produced from renewable energy sources (RES). Renewable energy development is taking place all over the world, but the European Union (EU) is a definite leader. In its energy policy, the importance and role of RES in the energy production structure has been growing systematically for many years. Introduced regulations and energy strategies caused member states to take extensive actions to achieve the set targets for RES. However, the large diversity of the EU countries makes this process occur with different intensity. Thus, it was justified to conduct research to assess the level of renewable energy use in the EU countries in a 15-year perspective (2004-2019). The research was based on a set of 4 indicators characterizing the use of renewable energy in the EU countries by means of the WASPAS method (from the group of MCDM methods). The results showed that a high level of RES use in the whole studied period was found in Sweden, Austria, Latvia and Finland, and a low level, for 2004, was found in Cyprus, Luxembourg and Malta, and for 2019 – in Luxembourg and Malta.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Electricity Production from Renewable Energy Sources in Selected Countries of the European Union in 2010 and in 2016 Using Multidimensional Exploratory Techniques

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 659-666
Author(s):  
Tomasz K. Dobek ◽  
Marek Rynkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Renewable Sources ◽  
Solid Biofuels ◽  
European Union Countries

The study presents assessment of the production of electricity obtained from renewable sources in selected European Union countries in 2010 and 2016. Among selected countries, the largest amount of electricity from renewable sources in 2010 was produced in Germany – 9,546.56 ktoe and in 2016 – 16,409.73 ktoe. In the analyzed countries of the European Union there was an increase in the production of energy obtained from renewable sources in comparison to 2010 and the dynamics of this growth in selected countries ranged from 106.1% to 217.0%. On the basis of the cluster analysis, it was found that Poland was in a similar group as Hungary in obtaining energy from renewable sources. On the other hand, Austria stood out the most from the surveyed countries, which proves that there is a big difference resulting from the energy management there in the area of obtaining electricity from renewable sources. Based on the principal component analysis, it was found that among selected EU countries, Austria is the most focused on the production of electricity from renewable sources from solid biofuels and water. Germany obtains the largest amounts from the sun, other renewable sources and wind.

scholarly journals Priorities and challenges of the EU energy transition: From the European Green Package to the new Green Deal

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manfred Hafner ◽  
Pier Paolo Raimondi
Keyword(s):  
Energy Policy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Industrial Transformation ◽  
Climate Targets ◽  
The Eu

As decarbonization and climate policy are gaining relevance in the European Union (EU) energy policy, the present paper seeks to present both priorities and challenges for of the EU energy transition. As priorities, we outline the key targets and initiatives proposed and set by the European institutions in relation to the energy matters. The EU identifies renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and reduction of the greenhouse gas (GHG) as the three pillars to achieve its carbon neutrality. The final goal for to the EU energy and climate targets is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Nevertheless, since given energy policy is being a “shared competence” between the EU institutions and Member States, each Member State plays a critical role for the achievement of the EU energy transition. Different socioeconomic structures and the energy mix across Europe have caused the implementation process of each EU target to develop at a different pace among European countries. We illustrate this drawing on four countries: Italy, the UK, Germany and Poland. We assess their political commitment to the energy transition and their actions regarding energy transformation. These four countries are only an example of the different pace in the implementation of the EU energy and climate targets. The last part of the paper is devoted to the ambitious plan, called Green New Deal, launched by the present Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. It sets key priorities, reaffirming European commitments to the energy and climate transition. However, the plan faces significant obstacles. For example, division among Member States (North-South and West-East) might be a factor that could undermine the achievement of the European energy transition, due to multiple and divergent interests (also on the future role of the energy transition in the aftermath of COVID-19 and the resulting economic crisis). Another challenge is constituted by popular opposition, especially from those people that see the energy transition — and consequent economic and industrial transformation — as a potential threat to their well-being and jobs, as the French gilets jaunes show. Lastly, we explain that the European energy transition will impact also its external relations, for example with Russia, proposing how the two blocs can preserve their energy relationship in light of the energy transition, notably through the conversion of natural gas to hydrogen and storing/using the resulting CO2.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Level of Electricity Generation from Renewable Energy Sources in European Union Countries

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (23) ◽  
pp. 8150
Author(s):  
Robert Huterski ◽  
Agnieszka Huterska ◽  
Ewa Zdunek-Rosa ◽  
Grażyna Voss
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Renewable Sources ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Per Capita

Changes in recent years have resulted in an increase in the ways in which renewable energy is used and shared in total electricity generation. Each type of renewable energy is characterised by its uniqueness of the physical specificity and, therefore, differences in technological solutions. In this study, one of the methods of multidimensional comparative analysis (WAP)—Hellwig’s taxonomic measure of development—was used to assess the level of development of electricity production from renewable sources. Twenty-eight countries were surveyed, including 27 countries of the current European Union and the United Kingdom. Panel models were used to describe the relationship between the share of electricity production from RES in total electricity production and GDP per capita, public spending by countries on energy as a percentage of GDP as well as electricity production from water, wind, solar, and biogas per capita. The presented synthetic measures confirmed the more favourable situation of the rich northern EU countries in the production of electricity from renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro, and bio), at the same time highlighting problems with the greening of electricity production in a large group of the new EU member states. The panel study confirmed the importance of differences in economic potential and wealth between EU countries for the development of the use of RES for electricity production.

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