Low-cost renewable electricity as the key driver of the global energy transition towards sustainability

Bogdanov, Dmitrii; Ram, Manish; Aghahosseini, Arman; Gulagi, Ashish; Oyewo, Ayobami Solomon; Child, Michael; Caldera, Upeksha; Sadovskaia, Kristina; Farfan, Javier; Barbosa, Larissa de Souza Noel Simas; Fasihi, Mahdi; Khalili, Siavash; Traber, Thure; Breyer, Christian

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2021.120467

Cited by 487 publications

(343 citation statements)

References 59 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

264

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The feasibility and viability of a 100% RE scenario are considered true by default. Now, the literature has dealt with more in-depth analysis, including detailed energy transition pathways that can take the current world fossil-fuelbased energy system to a completely renewable global energy system [19]. Obviously, the intrinsic intermittent characteristic of RES requires a considerable amount of energy storage capacity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Small–Medium Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Technologies and Their Role within the 100% Renewable Energy Systems Scenario

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The energy transition towards a scenario with 100% renewable energy sources (RES) for the energy system is starting to unfold its effects and is increasingly accepted. In such a scenario, a predominant role will be played by large photovoltaic and wind power plants. At the same time, the electrification of energy consumption is expected to develop further, with the ever-increasing diffusion of electric transport, heat pumps, and power-to-gas technologies. The not completely predictable nature of the RES is their well-known drawback, and it will require the use of energy storage technologies, in particular large-scale power-to-chemical conversion and chemical-to-power re-conversion, in view of the energy transition. Nonetheless, there is a lack in the literature regarding an analysis of the potential role of small–medium CCHP technologies in such a scenario. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to address what could be the role of the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and/or Combined Cooling Heat and Power (CCHP) technologies fed by waste heat within the mentioned scenario. First, in this paper, a review of small–medium scale CHP technologies is performed, which may be fed by low temperature waste heat sources. Then, a review of the 100% RE scenario studied by researchers from the Lappeenranta University of Technology (through the so-called “LUT model”) is conducted to identify potential low temperature waste heat sources that could feed small–medium CHP technologies. Second, some possible interactions between those mentioned waste heat sources and the reviewed CHP technologies are presented through the crossing data collected from both sides. The results demonstrate that the most suitable waste heat sources for the selected CHP technologies are those related to gas turbines (heat recovery steam generator), steam turbines, and internal combustion engines. A preliminary economic analysis was also performed, which showed that the potential annual savings per unit of installed kW of the considered CHP technologies could reach EUR 255.00 and EUR 207.00 when related to power and heat production, respectively. Finally, the perspectives about the carbon footprint of the CHP/CCHP integration within the 100% renewable energy scenario were discussed.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Small–Medium Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Technologies and Their Role within the 100% Renewable Energy Systems Scenario

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The governorate of Beheira comes at the top with 22%, followed by Dakahlia with 12%, Sharqia with 10%, and then Kafr El-Sheikh with 9.0%. Figure 8 shows the biomass density in dry ton/km 2 comes at the top with 22%, followed by Dakahlia with 12%, Sharqia with 10%, and then Kafr El-Sheikh with 9.0%. Figure 8 shows the biomass density in dry ton/km 2 for each governorate.…”

Section: Economic Performance Evaluationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Globally, noticeable progress is realized in the transition to new renewable energy sources. Installed capacity of about 176 GW of renewable energy is added to the global energy production in 2019 [1], with providing more than 11% of the global electricity generation [2]. However, the sustainability of energy resources and the use of clean energy is still a major challenge, especially for the developing countries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-Economic Analysis for the Optimal Design of a National Network of Agro-Energy Biomass Power Plants in Egypt

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Extensive studies are conducted to investigate the potential and techno-economic feasibility of bioenergy routes in different countries. However, limited researches have been focused on the whole national agricultural bioenergy resources in Egypt. This research provides an assessment of the potential agricultural biomass resources for electric energy production in Egypt. It provides a strategic perspective for the design of a national network of biomass power plants to utilize the spatially available agricultural residues throughout a country. A comprehensive approach is presented and is applied to Egypt. First, the approach estimates the amount, type, and characteristics of the agricultural residues in each Egyptian governorate. Then, a techno-economic appraisal for locating a set of collection stations, and installing a direct combustion biomass power plant in each governorate is conducted. SAM simulation software is used for the technical and economic appraisals, and preliminary plant capacities are estimated assuming one plant in each governorate. Secondly, a new mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model is proposed and applied to optimally design a biomass supply chain national network to maximize the overall network profit. The network is composed of the collection stations, the potential biomass power plants, and the flow distribution of residues to supply the selected plants. Results indicate that the Egyptian agricultural residue resources can produce 10 million ton/year of dry residues, generate 11 TWh/year, an average levelized cost of electricity () of 6.77 ¢/kWh, and supply about 5.5% of Egypt’s current energy needs. Moreover, the optimization results reveal that a network of 5 biomass power plants with capacities of 460 MW each should be established in Egypt. This approach is thought to be particularly suitable to other developing countries whose energy demand depends on fossil fuels and poses a heavy economic burden, and whose residues are massive, wasted, and not industrialized. The obtained results may also enrich future comparative research that studies the impact and feasibility of implementing agro-residue based biomass electric energy generation.

show abstract

“…The heat demand from 2015 to 2050 was taken from Bogdanov et al [57]. The final electricity and heat demand during the transition for Nepal and Bhutan are given in the Supplementary Material (Table S2).…”

Section: ) Demand Projectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The hourly load profile of electricity and heat for the provinces in Nepal was calculated as a fraction of the total demand in the country, while for Bhutan the country profile was used. The synthetic load profiles are taken from Toktarova et al [81], while the space heating, domestic hot water, biomass for cooking, and industrial heat profiles are taken from Bogdanov et al [57]. Currently, there are no district heating networks in Nepal and Bhutan, and it is assumed that this status will not change until the end of the transition period.…”

Section: ) Demand Projectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Renewable Energy Transition for the Himalayan Countries Nepal and Bhutan: Pathways Towards Reliable, Affordable and Sustainable Energy for All

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Himalayan countries Nepal and Bhutan have been confronted with similar climate change and energy emergencies for quite a long time. Its influence is felt as a barrier in financial, social, infrastructural, and political development. Despite having an enormous amount of renewable energy sources, these countries are unable to fulfil their current energy demand. While the power sector is entirely dependent on hydropower, other sectors depend on fossil fuel imports from India. This study offers a pathway for energy independency, energy for all and transition towards a 100% renewables based energy system. The modelling of the energy sector is done using the LUT Energy System Transition model for a period from 2015 to 2050 in a 5-year time step. This study covers the main energy sectors: power, heat, and transport. Two scenarios are visualised, one considering greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and the associated mitigation cost and another without these costs, though both scenarios aim at achieving a high share of renewable energy by 2050. A substantial drop in levelised cost of energy is observed for the scenario without GHG emission cost, however, taxing GHG emissions will accelerate the energy transition with the levelised cost of energy on a similar level. It is well possible to transition from 90 €/MWh in 2015 to 49 €/MWh by 2050 for the entire energy system by utilizing indigenous low-cost renewable energy. Solar photovoltaics and hydropower will play a dominant role in 2050, having a share of 67% and 31% respectively. Consequently, this leads to zero GHG emissions. An energy transition towards a sustainable and secure energy system for all by 2050 is well possible in Nepal and Bhutan only through 100% renewable sources and it is both technically and economically feasible despite having substantial limitations in infrastructure and economic development currently.

show abstract

Low-cost renewable electricity as the key driver of the global energy transition towards sustainability

Cited by 487 publications

References 59 publications

A Review of Small–Medium Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Technologies and Their Role within the 100% Renewable Energy Systems Scenario

A Review of Small–Medium Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Technologies and Their Role within the 100% Renewable Energy Systems Scenario

Techno-Economic Analysis for the Optimal Design of a National Network of Agro-Energy Biomass Power Plants in Egypt

Renewable Energy Transition for the Himalayan Countries Nepal and Bhutan: Pathways Towards Reliable, Affordable and Sustainable Energy for All

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About