TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGIES-A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The paper summarizes the rationale for an important development of the renewable energies in Europe and overseas. Possible instruments and actions for the development and market introduction of various forms of renewable energies and the associated technologies are reviewed. The progressive introduction of renewable energies in the future energy market requires that they first achieve economic competitiveness. A wide range of renewable energies are already cost-competitive today. The case for the renewables becomes even stronger when the macro-economic benefits are considered. This justifies ambitious implementation goals in the range of 20% penetration of renewable energies in Europe's energy consumption withing 20 to 30 years from now Market introduction and development of renewable energies cannot be achieved solely with the conventional schemes currently employed for the existing product lines and conventional energy systems. New promotion schemes are reviewed among which an agressive R&D strategy will play a major role.