Data analysis of the electricity generation mix for clean energy transition during COVID-19 lockdowns

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper presents data analysis on the electricity generation mix during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. The main objective was to assess the percentage changes in energy supply (total energy generation, electricity generation from fossil fuels – coal and natural gas; renewables – solar PV, wind, Biomass, Hydro; and nuclear), energy demand (actual loads), and greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 emissions) during the COVID-19 lockdown and their impact on energy transition. The goal is to use energy data and facts during the COVID-19 pandemic to show the importance and the role of the development of clean energy systems in speeding up and fostering energy transition ((Decarbonization, Digitalization, and Decentralization). The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global health and economic crisis. Energy industry and energy transition play an important role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and during economic recovery. The introduction starts with some facts on the energy and CO2 emissions during the COVID-19 lockdowns. A statistical analysis is used in this study to assess the electricity generation mix during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. The data clearly shows a decline of both energy consumption (up to 10%) and greenhouse gas emissions (up to 20%). Electricity generation from renewables was the highest compared to fossil fuels (coal and natural gas) and nuclear fuel during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns for the European Countries. Electricity generation from coal, natural gas and nuclear plants decreased by up to 35, 25, and 20% and the share of renewable increased by up to 9%.during COVID-19 lockdowns compared to 2019. The results obtained in the course of this study visibly show the importance of the development of clean energy systems for energy transition and how crucial these clean energy technologies are crucial during a global health and economic crisis. A triple helix model (collaboration between the government, industry and academia) for innovation is needed in this pandemic crisis to overcome the challenges and to shape the future of the energy sector. The new opportunities and challenges for the energy transition due to impacts of COVID-19 are presented in detail in this paper. The post-COVID-19 energy sector should be different from the conventional centralized and fossil fuel-based systems. The future energy systems will be cleaner, sustainable, intelligent, self-reliant, reliable, flexible, and affordable.