Clean Energy Transition Research Articles

Australian critical metal exploration for analogues of Chinese ionic-clay REE deposits

The clean energy transition has focused attention on the critical metals required for manufacture of new energy technologies. The extremely heterogeneous distribution of critical metal mineral deposits requires that countries must make new discoveries of key critical metals to avoid potential future geopolitical risks. Although Australia has REE resources, they are mainly of LREEs, so deposit styles with significant HREEs are key targets. The most obvious are the so-called ionic-clay REE deposits of southern China that are the major global suppliers of HREEs. Mineral exploration in Australia using the Chinese model is producing hitherto unrecognized REE concentrations, here termed regolith-hosted REE mineralization, in a variety of regolith types in several weathering environments, particularly in Western and South Australia. Amongst these has been the discovery of near-surface, regolith-hosted REE mineralization in the Albany-Fraser Orogen which has the potential to complement REE production from the giant Mount Weld carbonatite and other monazite-sand deposits in Western Australia. Widespread near-surface, regolith-hosted REE mineralization is present over an area of 12,000 km2 in the Esperance District. As much of this area is beneath barren Eocene-aged cover clays, all the new REE discoveries have been made, and are being delineated using shallow drilling, to depths of less than 80 m. The exploration implication is that the search space for regolith hosted REE deposits in Western Australia remains immature. These recently discovered deposits have both similarities and contrasts with geological features of ionic clay hosted REE deposits in China. Similarities include their apparent paragenesis and geometry, particularly their blanket morphology, sub-horizontal and gentle dips, and the common, but not exclusive, relationship with felsic basement terranes. However, Western Australian prospects are related to Upper Cretaceous to Eocene climates rather than more recent weathering under sub-tropical conditions. Whether the deposits can be developed to production remains unclear, with project economics tied closely to the efficacy of mineral processing technologies that target high REE extraction rates and recoveries.

The Geoeconomic Faultlines of the Clean Energy Transition

The Geoeconomic Faultlines of the Clean Energy Transition

China's post-pandemic energy rebound and climate targets under the current regulations and green innovation capacity

During the pandemic, China observed a minimum decline in energy demand and carbon dioxide emissions among major economies. Infact the post-pandemic trajectories show a significant rebound, raising concerns over its ability to achieve climate pledges. Thus, using annual data from 1990 to 2020, this study empirically examines the effect of environmental regulations on China's low-carbon economy through a clean energy transition with potential implications for China's economic growth. Assuming the asymmetries in the effect, the Quantile based Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag model is used for long- and short-run analysis. The study finds that the stricter environmental regulations are paying off the country economically and environmentally with some short-term adjustments. However, owing to continued growth-intensive policies, renewables are unable to catch-up with the country's growing energy demand despite a remarkable increase. Thus, the country must rely on fossil fuels (especially Coal) unless further policy reforms are made to achieve breakeven. With a significant positive effect on GDP and a negative effect on carbon emissions, green innovation helping China in reducing the trade-offs between environmental and development sustainability. Moreover, imports help in developing green technologies while exports remain a significant factor in the country's GDP. In a nutshell, China needs stricter environmental regulations to achieve climate commitments.

Techno-economic optimisation of steel supply chains in the clean energy transition: A case study of post-war Ukraine

The steel industry's clean energy transition can enable new market creation and economic growth stimulation. Yet, the most efficient and feasible pathway to decouple the sector from fossil fuels remains unclear, particularly within developing nations and unstable socio-political contexts. Here, a blueprint for reconfiguring plant locations and reallocating resources is developed through a Ukrainian case study under two scenarios, which capture potential post-war conditions. Framed by regrowth of Ukraine's export-oriented steel industry and prospective European Union accession, green iron and steel trade strategies are devised. A steel supply chain optimisation model underpins the techno-economic, spatially granular analysis of energy and material flows, which utilises the inputs from a separate cost-minimised renewable energy, green hydrogen, and green ammonia production model. Results show that optimal supply chain configurations rely on mixed emissions-free energy profiles, the emergence of new steelmaking sites nearby high-quality renewables, regional alliances for green iron and steel market creation, and multi-billion-dollar investment. Mature nuclear and hydro power critically reduce costs in the near-term, whilst the rapid expansion of solar and wind energy infrastructure underpins production system scale-up. To simultaneously rebuild the 22 million-tonnes-a-year Ukrainian steel industry and transition to near-zero emissions by 2050, infrastructure investment surmounts to $62 billion, given full liberation of Ukrainian territory. Near-term investment is necessary to ease the pace of change, and although mobilising capital of this magnitude will be challenging, convincing carbon prices favour decarbonisation efforts.

Long-Term Multiyear Transmission Expansion Planning in Turkish Power System

To sustain the clean energy transition without interruption and to ensure the reliable operation of the transmission system, it is required to have enough additional transmission capacity in the future horizons. The transmission expansion planning (TEP) problem is a core issue in deciding additional transmission capacity in the planning activities. TEP aims to find the best expansion plan while satisfying technical and economic constraints. In this study, a new binary version of the original FBI algorithm called the BFBI (binary forensic-based investigation) algorithm is developed to solve the binary TEP problem. The effectiveness and performance of the developed BFBI are assessed by implementing it in two different test systems: the standard Garver 6-bus test system and the modified 400 kV Turkish grid. Seasonal scenarios are created for 5- and 10-year planning periods to cover all possible generation and load conditions and to assess the impact of the increased share of RES on the grid in the TEP studies conducted for the modified 400 kV Turkish grid created as a bulk realistic grid. The TEP problem is solved by including investment, reliability, and operational costs in two different objective functions for cases while considering the N-1 contingency criterion. The efficacy and robustness of the BFBI algorithm are justified by comparing it with well-known algorithms such as GA and PSO.

Dynamic knowledge graph approach for modelling the decarbonisation of power systems

This paper presents a dynamic knowledge graph approach that offers a reusable, interoperable, and extensible framework for modelling power systems. Domain ontologies have been developed to support a linked data representation of infrastructure data, socio-demographic data, areal attributes like demand, and models describing power systems. The knowledge graph links the data with a hierarchical representation of administrative regions, supporting geospatial queries to retrieve information about the population within the vicinity of a power plant, the number of power plants, total generation capacity, and demand within specific areas. Computational agents were developed to operate on the knowledge graph. The agents performed tasks including data uploading, updating, retrieval, processing, model construction and scenario analysis. A derived information framework was used to track the provenance of information calculated by agents involved in each scenario. The knowledge graph was populated with data describing the UK power system. Two alternative models of the transmission grid with different levels of structural resolution were instantiated, providing the foundation for the power system simulation and optimisation tasks performed by the agents. The application of the dynamic knowledge graph was demonstrated via a case study that investigates clean energy transition trajectories based on the deployment of Small Modular Reactors in the UK.

Electric Vehicle Supply Chain Risk Assessment Based on Combined Weights and an Improved Matter-Element Extension Model: The Chinese Case

In order to meet energy and environmental challenges, many countries will implement the replacement of fuel vehicles for the future clean energy transition; so, the number of electric vehicles (EVs) operating in cities will grow significantly. It is crucial to assess the risks of the electric vehicle supply chain (EVSC) and prevent them. Based on this, this paper proposes an EVSC risk research framework with combined weights and an improved matter-element extension model: (i) Firstly, the EVSC evaluation index system is constructed from the six stages of supply chain planning, sales, procurement, manufacturing, distribution, after-sales, and external risks. (ii) The subjective and objective weights are calculated by the decision laboratory method and entropy weight method, respectively, and then the minimum deviation method is used for a combined design to overcome the defects of a single method. (iii) An improved matter-element extension model (MEEM) is constructed by introducing asymmetric proximity degree and risk bias. (iv) The model is applied to a case study and its feasibility and superiority are verified through sensitivity analysis and comparative analysis. The final results show that the method and framework proposed in this paper are in line with EVSC risk assessment standards and superior to other models, which can help EVSC managers to identify potential risks, formulate appropriate risk prevention measures, promote the stable development of electric vehicles, and provide a reference for the development of energy and environment.

Long-Term Energy System Modelling for a Clean Energy Transition in Egypt’s Energy Sector

Egypt has the potential to generate a significant amount of energy from renewable technologies, in particular solar PV, concentrated solar power (CSP), and onshore and offshore wind. The energy sector is reliant on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, for electricity production and is at risk of locking itself into a high carbon pathway. Globally, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with national energy sectors is a target outlined in the UN’s Paris Agreement. To reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with a higher dependence on fossil fuels, Egypt must consider upscaling renewable energy technologies (RETs) to achieve a clean energy transition (CET). This research modelled six scenarios using clicSAND for OSeMOSYS to identify the technologies and policy target improvements that are needed to upscale RETs within Egypt’s energy sector. The results showed that solar PV and onshore wind are key technologies to be upscaled to contribute towards Egypt’s CET. The optimal renewable target is the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) target of 53% of electricity being sourced from RETs by 2030, which will cost USD 16.4 billion more up to 2035 than Egypt’s current Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy (ISES) target of 42% by 2035; it also saves 732.0 MtCO2 over the entire modelling period to 2070. Socio-economic barriers to this transition are considered, such as recent discoveries of natural gas reserves combined with a history of energy insecurity, political instability impacting investor confidence, and a lack of international climate funding. The paper concludes with policy recommendations that would enable Egypt to progress towards achieving a CET.

Public Opinion and the Energy Transition in East Asia: The Case of Taiwan

Previous research in Western nations has established a clear connection between pro-environmental public opinion and clean energy transition policies aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13. However, little is known about this relationship in East Asia, the most important region of the world in terms of carbon emissions. Using the International Social Survey Program and Taiwan Social Change Survey results from 2010 and 2020, this study examines public opinion in Taiwan on environmental issues, comparing it with opinion in a group of 18 OECD countries. Results show high but stable support for the environment and the energy transition in Taiwan over this period, with no indications of climate denial. However, willingness to make sacrifices for the environment is sharply lower among the lower half of the income distribution, highlighting existing socioeconomic disparities and inequality. Further, political engagement around environmental issues remains relatively low in Taiwan compared to engagement in the OECD comparison group. This disjunction suggests a unique model of public opinion and policy outcomes in Taiwan, which is clearly distinct from patterns in the West. Comprehending this model is vital, considering East Asia’s necessary role in a global clean energy transition.

Recovery of rare earth elements from low-grade coal fly ash using a recyclable protein biosorbent.

Rare earth elements (REEs), including those in the lanthanide series, are crucial components essential for clean energy transitions, but they originate from geographically limited regions. Exploiting new and diverse supply sources is vital to facilitating a clean energy future. Hence, we explored the recovery of REEs from coal fly ash (FA), a complex, low-grade industrial feedstock that is currently underutilized (leachate concentrations of REEs in FA are < 0.003mol%). Herein, we demonstrated the thermo-responsive genetically encoded REE-selective elastin-like polypeptides (RELPs) as a recyclable bioengineered protein adsorbent for the selective retrieval of REEs from coal fly ash over multiple cycles. The results showed that RELPs could be efficiently separated using temperature cycling and reused with high stability, as they retained ∼95% of their initial REE binding capacity even after four cycles. Moreover, RELPs selectively recovered high-purity REEs from the simulated solution containing one representative REE in the range of 0.0001-0.005mol%, resulting in up to a 100,000-fold increase in REE purity. This study offers a sustainable approach to diversifying REE supplies by recovering REEs from low-grade coal fly ash in industrial wastes and provides a scientific basis for the extraction of high-purity REEs for industrial purposes.

Development of long-distance and large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain using liquefied CO2 ship transportation

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is central to clean energy transition. Globally, potential aggregated carbon dioxide (CO2) storage resource capacity is ~13,000 billion tonnes. Assuming global greenhouse gas emissions of 51 billion tonnes per annum, CO2 storage capacity equates to 250 years of global emissions reduction. While there is significant momentum to deploy CCS technology for meeting Paris Agreement targets, the key challenge for offering CCS to all industrial sectors is that many major CO2 emission sources are located hundreds of kilometres away from geological storage sites. To address this key challenge, there is a need to develop a long-distance and large-scale CCS value chain that utilises liquefied CO2 (LCO2) ship transportation. This paper discusses key technical, commercial, and regulatory considerations that must be addressed in parallel for developing such a CCS value chain. More specifically, it will cover the following: (1) technical – CO2 liquefaction condition, CO2 supply specification and LCO2 ship parcel size; (2) commercial – business model (ownership of CO2 retained by emitters or transferred to CCS project proponent), CO2 supply or CCS facility lease terms and conditions; and (3) regulatory – domestic versus transboundary projects and associated needs for policy and legislative underpinning.

Optimal taxation of nonrenewable resources during clean energy transition: A general equilibrium approach

In this paper we study clean energy transition in a modified version of the Ramsey growth model by including nonrenewable and renewable resources as well as pollution externalities. The main difference from previous works is that we consider imperfect substitution between nonrenewable and renewable resources. We characterize the social optimum and show that the economy converges to a clean state in the long run. We then study the decentralized equilibrium and show that the economy converges to the same state even without regulation, but with higher environmental damage. Further, we investigate the properties of the taxation trajectory that drives the laissez-faire economy to follow the optimal path and show that it can be either increasing or decreasing over time. We identify different channels that influence the path of optimal taxation and show that it depends, among other things, on the level of capital, the cost of renewable energy and the degree of substitution between renewable and nonrenewable resources.

Can Credibility Overcome Elite Polarization?

Abstract Political scientists Alexander Gazmararian and Dustin Tingley's incisive new book Uncertain Futures: How to Unlock the Climate Impasse contends that credibility is key to unlocking the deadlock over climate policy. They claim that fossil fuel communities have often been skeptical of any transition away from fossil fuels with good reason. In similar situations, policymakers have often failed to follow through on policies meant to mitigate economic dislocation. Drawing on a wealth of quantitative and qualitative evidence from energy-producing communities, including surveys of residents and officials alike, Gazmararian and Tingley find that different policy features that bolster credibility can build support for a transition to clean energy sources. The book provides a much-needed view of the energy transition from the ground-up. Yet the book pays less attention to a principal-agent problem at the heart of the clean energy transition: many of the elected representatives of the communities most affected by the transition don’t acknowledge any need for a transition. What's more, in a highly polarized environment, the impact of policy feedbacks is likely to be muted. Drawing on the experiences of the ACA and Canada's carbon tax, we suggest that even when the policy features that the authors propose are present, support for clean-energy policies may not rise dramatically.

The Clean Energy Transition and the Regulatory Paradigm

Being in regular contact with electric and natural gas industry professionals including regulators and policy makers, several critical concerns have been surfaced more prominently. The significance of these concerns center around the pace, scale, and cost of the clean energy transition. Collectively, we are at a point of reckoning—and conversations are now increasingly focused on these concerns.

Can Strategy Address the Climate Crisis Without Losing its Essence?

AbstractHow should academic fields take on the existential risks created by the climate crisis? What can business schools do to accelerate the decarbonization of business required to save our species? In their Point, Bansal et al. argue that the field of strategic management is complicit in bringing about our current crisis, and they propose to reformulate the field's very foundations to help get us out. In our Counterpoint, we show why we agree with the diagnosis but argue why we are sceptical of the cure. Strategic management incubated in business schools devoted to creating shareholder value, and its central frameworks commit it to this mission, making it fundamentally impossible to reform. The adjustments suggested by Bansal et al. might nudge what is published in journals but will not solve the bigger challenge. If we are to turn back from the climate disaster and begin the process of mitigation and remediation, we need to equip firms to decarbonize their operations as quickly as possible, and to create new kinds of enterprise to bring about the clean energy transition. Given its history and methods, organization theory may be better equipped to take on this role.

A novel framework for assessing the smartness and the smart readiness level in highly electrified non-residential buildings: A Norwegian case study

This work presents a new operational framework to measure the smartness and smart readiness of highly electrified buildings. The framework seeks to enhance legacy systems and controls of existing buildings and establish minimum criteria for future constructions to ensure they interact effectively with users and the grid, aiming for a clean energy transition. To this end, we develop two modified complementary assessments, one based on the method indicated by the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), proposed by the European Union (EU), and the other following the Smart by Powerhouse scheme, introduced by a Norwegian consortium of stakeholders focused on developing future proof climate buildings. The proposed structure is implemented in ten non-residential buildings in Norway with different energy systems, typologies, and construction dates. The results of this study demonstrate that energy flexibility quantification plays a crucial role in correctly implementing the framework in highly electrified buildings. Therefore, the dynamic impact of having Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) and other electrical-dependent loads must be considered in the assessment. With the proposed modifications, the EVC weight in the flexibility score now varies from 24.0 to 43.6%, up from the original 5%. Overall, the pilot buildings have a smart readiness level between 21.6% and 31.7%, with mostly automated smartness levels. Nevertheless, the study also emphasizes the need to differentiate current HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) technologies and their efficiencies.

Left Behind: Funding Climate Action in the Global South

Global clean energy transition envisions zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as set by the United Nations. Consequentially, developed economies have made giant strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving full decarbonization. However, the opposite remains true in the Global South, lagging in financing its climate action. Despite being disproportionately impacted by climate change, financial efforts by developed economies and the Global South have failed in placing the latter’s countries at par with clean energy investments of developed countries. Absent adequate financing of climate action in the Global South, the net zero goal will be nothing but a mirage. This Article contends that financial incapacity to finance climate change has left the Global South behind in the global energy transition movement and, if left unchecked, will sabotage global energy transition efforts. Using Africa as a case study, this Article explores the need to develop realistic financing options for global energy transition in the region. This Article recognizes that financing climate change is expensive and much more strenuous on African economies that barely have the fiscal infrastructure to finance the transition. It unpacks the extant climate financing avenues and the inherent challenges in attracting climate finance in Africa and argues for improvements.

Wind of Change: Overcoming Misinformation in New Jersey's Clean Energy Transition

As the climate crisis advances, the need to transition from the fossil fuel economy to renewable sources of energy is becoming increasingly urgent. Thanks to climate leadership from the Murphy administration, New Jersey is poised to grow its renewable energy projects in an aggressive attempt to reach 100% clean energy by 2035. However, the state is currently facing pushback from local anti-offshore wind groups, such as Protect Our Coast, which actively disseminate false information about offshore wind (OSW) development and attempt to thwart NJ climate action. To address the growing threat of misinformation, New Jersey should build upon its existing climate education campaign and expand it to entire local communities. Allocating resources towards a dedicated public media campaign can effectively educate citizens and help dispel misinformation surrounding renewable energy initiatives, fostering greater support and understanding among New Jersey residents.

Searching for the Profitability of Energy Crops: An Agroecological–Economic Land Use Suitability (AE-landUSE) Model

The current geopolitical and energy market instability calls for speeding up the EU clean energy transition to increase energy security in all the European regions and make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Among renewable energies, modern bioenergy is a promising near-zero-emission fuel for increasing energy security in the heating, electricity and transport sectors while promoting growth and job creation, especially in rural areas. In such a context, energy crops will continue to play a key role. Since agricultural planning is a complex issue, especially when energy crops could compete with food ones, we propose an agroecological–economic land use suitability model (AE-landUSE model) to promote the sustainable use of land resources. The AE-landUSE model was developed by integrating cost–benefit analysis (CBA) and land use suitability analysis (LSA) within geographic information systems (GISs). Tested in the Basilicata region (Southern Italy), comparing two different energy crops (rapeseed and cardoon), the results show the model’s utility in identifying suitable areas for energy crops where the investments will be cost-effective. The proposed model will help decision-makers in energy-agricultural planning to increase energy security sustainably.

Role of energy transition in easing energy security risk and decreasing CO2 emissions: Disaggregated level evidence from the USA by quantile-based models

Consistent with the increasing environmental interest, the clean energy transition is highly critical to achieving decarbonization targets. Also, energy security has become an important topic under the shadow of the energy crisis,. Accordingly, countries have been trying to stimulate clean energy use to preserve the environment and ensure energy security. So, considering the leading role of economic size and volume of energy use, the study examines the USA to define whether energy transition helps decrease energy security risk (ESR) and curb CO2 emissions. So, the study applies a disaggregated level analysis by performing quantile-based models for the period from 2001/Q1 through 2022/Q4. The results demonstrate that (i) the energy transition index decreases environmental ESR at higher quantiles and reliability ESR at lower and middle quantiles, whereas it is not beneficial in declining economic and geopolitical ESR; (ii) energy transition curbs CO2 emissions in building and transport sectors at lower quantiles, whereas it does not help decrease CO2 emissions in industrial and power sectors; (iii) energy transition is mostly ineffective on ESR, whereas it is highly effective in curbing CO2 emissions in all sectors except for transport across various quantiles as time passes; (iv) the results differ according to the aggregated and disaggregated levels; (v) the results are consistent across main and alternative models. Hence, the study highlights the dominant effect of energy transition in curbing sectoral CO2 emissions rather than easing ESR. Accordingly, the study discusses various policy implications for the USA.