Decarbonizing Europe

Image via WikipediaEnergy Roadmap 2050 (20 page pdf, Communication From the Commission to the European Parliament, The Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and The Committee of the Regions, European Commission, Dec. 2011)

Also discussed here: Towards a competitive low-carbon energy sector (European Commission, Dec. 19, 2011

And here: EU’s “Energy Roadmap 2050” Published (Zachary Shahan, Clean Technica Dec. 27, 2011

While many countries have very modest plans to decarbonize in the short term (e.g. Canada and the US with a 17% reduction target by 2020), few countries have serious plans beyond this. The EU recently released a plan, or rather a series of scenarios, to achieve the required reduction of carbon fuels and a stable global climate by 2050 – if that is not too late for the atmosphere to recover, a question being debated between the carbon energy proponents on the one hand and serious climate researchers on the other who would see the target moved to much earlier. Whatever reductions occur, there will be significant improvements also in air pollution and the health benefits that come from that which is the prime focus of this blog, so that we follow the development of decarbonization plans such as this with much interest. Some of the implications of this roadmap are noted including the need to engage the public and the role of nuclear energy, energy efficiency, and managing energy demand.



Key Quotes:

“Committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80-95% below 1990 levels by 2050, the EU is exploring the challenges of decarbonisation”

“With electricity prices set to rise until 2030, investment is needed now in “intelligent” electricity grids and improved technologies to produce, transmit and store energy more effectively”

“In this Energy Roadmap 2050 the Commission explores the challenges posed by delivering the EU's decarbonisation objective while at the same time ensuring security of energy supply and competitiveness”

“Vulnerable consumers are best protected from energy poverty through a full implementation by Member States of the existing EU energy legislation and use of innovative energy efficiency solutions”

“Decarbonisation scenarios

• High Energy Efficiency. …leads to a decrease in energy demand of 41% by 2050 as compared to the peaks in 2005-2006.
• Diversified supply technologies…Decarbonisation is driven by carbon pricing assuming public acceptance of both nuclear and Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS).
• High Renewable energy sources (RES)…leading to a very high share of RES in gross final energy consumption (75% in 2050) and a share of RES in electricity consumption reaching 97%.
• Delayed CCS…decarbonisation driven by carbon prices rather than technology push.
• Low nuclear. .. that no new nuclear is being built …resulting in a higher penetration of CCS (around 32% in power generation).

“Ten structural changes for energy system transformation:

• Decarbonisation is possible – and can be less costly than current policies in the long-run
• Higher capital expenditure and lower fuel costs
• Electricity plays an increasing role
• Electricity prices rise until 2030 and then decline
• Household expenditure will increase
• Energy savings throughout the system are crucial
• Renewables rise substantially
• Carbon capture and storage has to play a pivotal role in system transformation
• Nuclear energy provides an important contribution
• Decentralisation and centralised systems increasingly interact

“Transforming the energy system:

• Energy saving and managing demand: a responsibility for all
• Switching to renewable energy sources
• Gas plays a key role in the transition
• Transforming other fossil fuels
• Nuclear energy as an important contributor
• Smart technology, storage and alternative fuels

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• Tucker's Terrestrialism and the Technology of Modernity (junkscience.com)
• EU Energy Roadmap 2050 : time for energy saving and renewable technologies (3eintelligence.wordpress.com)
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) (missenergiser.com)
• EU launches €9 billion energy infrastructure plan | EurActiv (3eintelligence.wordpress.com)
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• The European Power System - Decarbonization and Cost Reduction: Lost in Transmissions? (3eintelligence.wordpress.com)
• IEEE Spectrum on China's Nuclear Energy Programme (nextbigfuture.com)
• Gosh! Decarbonizing the atmosphere may be costly and impractical (junkscience.com)
• Europe's Doomed Flight of Decarbonizing Fancy (junkscience.com)
• EU carbon too cheap, no mention of intervention: draft (reuters.com)