Portfolio Of Energy Technologies Research Articles

Assessing renewable energy portfolio futures with multiple perspectives: The case of the northwest US

Renewable energy has become a major driver for the federal and state governments. Many have received funds from recently announced programs. However there have been challenges in determining the optimum portfolio of energy alternatives. Multiple perspectives were operationalized through a prior assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment. Through additional literature review, a model was created to consider all factors and perspectives to be considered in developing a portfolio of renewable energy technologies. A limited demonstration with goal programming and scenarios was included. The case of the state of Oregon was used to demonstrate the approach.

Forging the Solution to the Energy Challenge: The Role of Materials Science and Materials Scientists

The energy challenge is central to the most important strategic problems facing the United States and the world. It is increasingly clear that even large-scale deployments of the best technologies available today cannot meet the rising energy demands of a growing world population. Achieving a secure and sustainable energy future will require full utilization of, and substantial improvements in, a comprehensive portfolio of energy systems and technologies. This goal is complicated by several factors. First, energy strategies are inextricably linked to national security and health issues. Second, in developing and deploying energy technologies, it is vital to consider not only environmental issues, such as global climate change, but also economic considerations, which strongly influence both public and political views on energy policy. Third, a significant and sustained effort in basic and applied research and development (R&D) will be required to deliver the innovations needed to ensure a desirable energy future. Innovations in materials science and engineering are especially needed to overcome the limits of essentially all energy technologies. A wealth of historical evidence demonstrates that such innovations are also the key to economic prosperity. From the development of the earliest cities around flint-trading centers, to the Industrial Revolution, to today’s silicon-based global economy, the advantage goes to those who lead in exploiting materials. I view our challenge by considering the rate of innovation and the transition of discovery to the marketplace as the relationship among R&D investment, a skilled and talented workforce, business innovations, and the activities of competitors. Most disturbing in analyzing this relationship is the need for trained workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). To develop the STEM workforce needed for innovation, we need sustainable, positive change in STEM education at all levels from preschool through postgraduate. Materials sciences can be a significant magnet in attracting students to STEM areas, and a focused effort is needed to ensure that it is included in STEM programs. From this effort will come the next generation of materials scientists and the innovations that will enable us to overcome the energy challenge.

Forging the Solution to the Energy Challenge: The Role of Materials Science and Materials Scientists

The energy challenge is central to the most important strategic problems facing the United States and the world. It is increasingly clear that even large-scale deployments of the best technologies available today cannot meet the rising energy demands of a growing world population. Achieving a secure and sustainable energy future will require full utilization of, and substantial improvements in, a comprehensive portfolio of energy systems and technologies. This goal is complicated by several factors. First, energy strategies are inextricably linked to national security and health issues. Second, in developing and deploying energy technologies, it is vital to consider not only environmental issues, such as global climate change, but also economic considerations, which strongly influence both public and political views on energy policy. Third, a significant and sustained effort in basic and applied research and development (R&D) will be required to deliver the innovations needed to ensure a desirable energy future. Innovations in materials science and engineering are especially needed to overcome the limits of essentially all energy technologies. A wealth of historical evidence demonstrates that such innovations are also the key to economic prosperity. From the development of the earliest cities around flint-trading centers, to the Industrial Revolution, to today’s silicon-based global economy, the advantage goes to those who lead in exploiting materials. I view our challenge by considering the rate of innovation and the transition of discovery to the marketplace as the relationship among R&D investment, a skilled and talented workforce, business innovations, and the activities of competitors. Most disturbing in analyzing this relationship is the need for trained workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). To develop the STEM workforce needed for innovation, we need sustainable, positive change in STEM education at all levels from preschool through postgraduate. Materials sciences can be a significant magnet in attracting students to STEM areas, and a focused effort is needed to ensure that it is included in STEM programs. From this effort will come the next generation of materials scientists and the innovations that will enable us to overcome the energy challenge.

Renewable energy technology portfolio planning with scenario analysis: A case study for Taiwan

This paper presents the results of a case study of applying a systematic and proven process of technology portfolio planning with the use of scenario analysis to renewable energy developments in Taiwan. The planning process starts with decision values of technology development based on a survey of society leaders. It then generates, based on expert opinions and literature search, a set of major technology alternatives, which in this study include: wind energy, photovoltaic, bio-energy, solar thermal power, ocean energy, and geothermal energy. Through a committee of technical experts with diversified professional backgrounds, the process in this study next constructs three scenarios (“Season in the Sun”, “More Desire than Energy”, and “Castle in the Air”) to encompass future uncertainties in the relationships between the technology alternatives and the decision values. Finally, through a second committee of professionals, the process assesses the importance and risks of these alternative technologies and develops a general strategic plan for the renewable energy technology portfolio that is responsive and robust for the future scenarios. The most important contributions of this paper are the clear description of the systematic process of technology portfolio planning and scenario analysis, the detailed demonstration of their application through a case study on the renewable energy development in Taiwan, and the valuable results and insights gained from the application.

Take-or-pay contracts for renewables deployment

Renewables require support policies to deliver the European 20% target. We discuss the requirements for least-cost development and efficient operation and quantify how different schemes (i) allow for the development of a renewable energy technology portfolio; (ii) reduce rent transfers to infra-marginal technologies or better than marginal resource bases and (iii) minimise regulatory risk and thus capital costs for new projects. Long-term take-or-pay contracts minimise regulatory uncertainty, create appropriate incentives for location and operation, allow for efficient system operation and seem compatible with European state aid. We discuss how property rights legislation protects existing renewables investors, and thus can ensure ongoing investment during a transition towards the new scheme.

Energy technology portfolio analysis: an example of lighting for residential sector

Energy technology portfolio analysis: an example of lighting for residential sector

Energy technology portfolio analysis: an example of lighting for residential sector

Lighting is one of the most important and high quality uses of electricity. Recent advances in lighting technologies have made it possible to use the precious electrical energy more efficiently. Even though efficient lighting devices are available in abundance, their performance in terms of penetrating the market is rather dismal. The main reasons for this are the high initial purchase costs, uncertainties in returns and the tendency of consumers to use high discount rates in investing in energy efficient devices. Therefore, there is a need to develop a portfolio of both inefficient and efficient lighting devices for better market penetration of the latter one, since total elimination of the use of inefficient devices is impossible. Further, it is interesting to study whether the energy efficient alternatives are attractive investments vis-à-vis common stock options. This paper analyses the economics of such an issue before developing an optimal portfolio of these alternatives for a typical household in Karnataka State, India. A mixed integer programming model has been developed, and a comparison of returns is made. The results show that the optimal lighting portfolio provides a far higher return at a lower risk compared to the stock market. Overall results indicate a substantial savings both in terms of energy and peak demand.