Uptake Of Renewable Energy Technologies Research Articles

Beyond a checklist for acceptance: understanding the dynamic process of community acceptance

AbstractCommunity acceptance is considered a prerequisite for successful energy transitions and the uptake of renewable energy technologies (RET). While policy and research often focus on acceptance as an outcome, the process of acceptance remains a black box, especially in uncontested RET implementation contexts. We study the dynamic process of community acceptance where (1) different actor groups can have (2) different roles and (3) different active and passive responses towards (4) different objects of acceptance within the RET project implementation. Results show that community acceptance occurs over time and goes beyond citizen or resident acceptance alone. By unpacking different dimensions of acceptance, we show that even in uncontested cases, acceptance is ambiguous and includes various responses toward various objects. Furthermore, we see that roles can influence and interact dynamically with responses and that preferences for roles are heterogeneous. To move beyond acceptance as a merely coincidental outcome, but a widely embraced and intentional process, this process should meet the participatory needs of different actors.

Energy System Transition in the Context of NDC and Mitigation Strategies in Tunisia

The evolution of the Tunisian energy system in the next few decades will highly depend on the implementation of its Nationally Determined Contribution by 2030 and its potential long-term low-emission strategies. This study analyses the technology, emissions, energy systems and economic impacts of meeting Tunisia’s NDC targets (conditional and unconditional) and long-term transition pathways compatible with the Paris Agreement. Different climate policy targets and settings are explored using a detailed energy system model (MENA-EDS) that integrates detailed representations of energy demand and supply and their complex linkages through energy pricing. The analysis shows that in order to meet its NDC targets for 2030, current climate policies in Tunisia need substantial strengthening, based on the massive uptake of renewable energy technologies (especially solar PV and wind) and a reduction of oil and gas use. Long-term low-emission transitions leading to emission reductions of about 80% from baseline levels in 2050 is based on the further expansion of renewable energy within and beyond the electricity sector; the increased electrification of energy end-uses (especially through the uptake of electric vehicles in transport); accelerated energy efficiency improvements in transport, industries and buildings; and the emergence of low-carbon fuels. The study provides insights into the challenges to achieve the deep decarbonization of the Tunisian economy but also into the opportunities from energy sector-restructuring, including reduced energy import dependence and increased low-carbon investment.

Adoption of renewable home heating systems: An agent-based model of heat pumps in Ireland

Consumer adoption of renewable energy technologies such as heat pumps for home heating is crucial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on imported fossil fuels. In recognition of their potential, policymakers in several countries have introduced various financial incentives to encourage the uptake of renewable energy technologies. However, consumers' purchasing decisions and choice of a particular technology is a complex process that goes beyond financial aspects. In this paper, we examine the adoption decisions and diffusion of heat pumps for residential home heating using an agent-based modeling and simulation approach. In particular, we model the influence of three factors: economic, psychological, and social networks, on the future uptake of heat pumps. We utilize recent nationally representative Irish household survey data and historical heat pump uptake data to derive model parameters for decision rules based on empirical data and simulate the adoption of heat pumps in existing Irish homes until 2030. We further analyze the implications of those future uptakes on electricity demand, bill savings, and reduction in CO2 emissions. The findings of this research based on the case study of Ireland should be useful to policymakers and companies in devising monetary and non-monetary interventions aimed at increasing future actual uptake of heat pumps and other renewable energy technologies.

Renewable Energy Development in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: Status, Barriers, and Policy Options

The countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—hold almost 30% of the world’s total proven oil reserves and around 20% of its total proven natural gas reserves. They are also endowed with a high abundance of renewable energy resources such as solar and wind. Yet, the GCC’s primary energy consumption is still dominated by fossil fuels, and the share of renewable energy still does not exceed 1%. Drawing on secondary data, including journal articles, governmental and companies’ websites, and reports and newspaper articles, this paper assesses the reasons behind their underutilization of renewable energy resources. Whereas technical and economic feasibility issues had been identified as the main barriers to slow the uptake of renewable energy technologies in the GCC, this paper uncovered that various additional factors have remarkably influenced such delays. High hydrocarbon subsidies, low electricity tariff structure, fragmented energy policy, the absence of dedicated renewable energy regulator and regulatory framework, and a highly controlled power market are major barriers to renewable energy adoption in the GCC. The paper concludes with policy options to inform scaling up the adoption of renewable energy in the GCC.

Carbon Management in UK Higher Education Institutions: An Overview

The paper presents a review of carbon management in relation to UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), forms part of a wider study on the ongoing reliance on fossil fuels in Scotland’s public sector with a focus on Universities and Local Government Authorities. It compares the CF (carbon footprint), emission sources, and the fossil fuel contribution to the CFs reported in 3 identified articles relating specifically to the estimation of CF for HEIs. The consumption of fossil fuels results in human induced climate change however, fossil fuels boosted the industrialization process and remains the dominant source of global energy consumption. Action in tackling climate change has led to organizations coming under increasing pressures to monitor and report their CFs. HEIs have a key role to play in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and reducing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions through delivery of scientific research and innovative carbon management solutions, increase in its uptake of renewable energy technologies, educating and training future leaders, and raising public awareness, in contribution to a sustainable society. This paper highlights the need for a shift of focus to reducing fossil fuel reliance in response to climate change and demonstrates how HEIs can impact GHG reductions.

Analysis of labour market needs for engineers with enhanced knowledge in sustainable renewable energy solutions in the built environment in some Asian countries

Despite the rapid growth in the uptake of renewable energy technologies, the educational profile and the skills gained at University level do not always comply with the practical needs of the organisations working in the field. Furthermore, even though the residential sector has very high potential in curbing its CO2 emissions worldwide thus meeting the challenging goals set out by the international agreements, such reduction has been limited so far. Within this context, the ‘Skybelt’ project, co-funded by the EU under the framework of the Erasmus + programme aims at enhancing in several Universities of Asia and Europe the engineering skills of students of all level for application of sustainable renewable energy solutions in the built environment. With the target of increasing the employability of graduates and the impact of the project, a survey on the labour market needs for specialists with enhanced knowledge and skills in the topic of the project has been conducted in the related Asian countries. Hence, relevant industries, labour market organisations and other stakeholders have been interviewed and the main results of this analysis is reported in the present paper. As first outcome of this activity, the obtained results have been considered in the selection of the modules to be improved according to a student centred study approach.

Assessing the feasibility of deployment policies in wind energy systems. A sensitivity analysis on a multiequational econometric framework

The fight against climate change will require the uptake of renewable energy technologies, including wind. However, as with any technological system, whether such deployment will effectively occur depends on the interactions of many variables, whose levels are subject to uncertainty. Therefore, identifying the set of technical, economic and political relationships that characterise the operation of wind generation systems is both an academic and a policy relevant objective. This article proposes a methodology which integrates an econometric model of simultaneous equations with a mathematical optimisation model in order to assess the feasibility of policies under different wind deployment scenarios considered by policy-makers, given the network of technical, economic and political relationships which define the functioning of a sector in a given country. In addition, this methodology quantifies the relevance of the role that each relationship among the variables of the system plays in order to comply with the targets and identifies the key relationships of the system. The method is illustrated with an application to the case of Spain, and the results stress the relevance of several variables and relationships which characterise the whole system. • Identification of the set of technical, economic and political relationships in wind generation systems. • A methodology to assess the feasibility of policies under different wind deployment scenarios. • Quantification of the relevance of the role that each relationship among the variables of the system plays. • An econometric model of simultaneous equations is combined with a mathematical optimisation model. • The method is illustrated with an application to the case of Spain.

Design, feasibility, performance assessment and optimization of the technical and financial viability of potential renewable energy and energy efficiency projects

Until recently, renewable energy technologies (RETs) have been confronted with a huge up-front cost due to technologies in development. However, massive and global deployment of renewable energy systems has led to significant cost reductions and performance improvements and the hope is to see increasing uptake of RETs by African countries. Cameroon a central African country is heavily reliant on hydropower, which contributes an estimated 60% to the country’s total installed 1,400MW capacity in 2015. In addition, there is constants power failure due to the non-reliability of the electric grid and load shedding to meet increasing demand and or to relieve stress on the primary energy source when demand for electricity is greater than the primary power source can supply. However, climate change poses additional huge risk (large reservoirs and dams drying up) and to meet the increasing demand, Cameroon is being forced to seek alternative power sources. In January 2014, Cameroon welcomed its first 72MW solar photovoltaic plant as well as the construction of a 500MW solar photovoltaic park in Q3 of 2015 in the northern region of Cameroon. It is common practice that energy efficiency and energy conservation lead to environmental sustainability. “Energy security starts with energy efficiency and the most sustainable energy option or system is energy conservation”. While it is common practice that energy efficiency and energy conservation lead to environmental sustainability, the building envelope also plays a key role in energy usage, energy conservation and thermal comfort for the building occupants. The rate of infiltration/leakage rate detect the rate of energy usage and cost of using energy. Having a tide and well-constructed building envelope is a key factor and helps reduce/reconcile buildings gas and electricity consumption. RETScreen Expert is the most current version of the RETScreen software and was released to the public on September 19, 2016. The software allows for the comprehensive identification, assessment and optimization of technical and financial viability of potential renewable energy and energy efficiency projects; as well as the measurement and verification of the actual performance of facilities and the identification of energy savings/production opportunities [1-3]. This paper will demonstrate how the software can be use in the design, feasibility, performance assessment and optimization of technical and financial viability of potential renewable energy and energy efficiency projects related to photovoltaic, solar thermal, building envelope and the replacement of non/less-efficient electrical equipment with more efficient and cost effective lamps like LEDs and the installation of smart power bars with automatic shut off function for TV screens, to take care of phantom power in large scale hotels. This approach will further reduce electricity usage and help diversified the sources of energy for a country like Cameroon, which is often subjected to constant power failure and load shedding to either relieve the stress on a primary energy source when demand for electricity is greater than the primary power source can supply or to meet power supply during the critical seasons.

Powering community electrical loads in Cameroon using off-grid hybrid energy systems

The millions of users in developing countries often live far off the electric grid (rural areas) which seems not very cost effective extending the national grid to these rural areas as per respective governments. Africa’s total primary energy supply has seen an increasing annual rate of about 3%, seeming to be the highest among all other continents. The African continent as a whole is endowed with large renewable energy potential, varying in type across diverse geographic locations. These resources, and the settings in which they exist, can point to country or regional specific renewable energy solutions to fit each nation’s strengths and needs. In Sub-Saharan Africa, reliable access to electric power must be consider a basic precondition to improve people’s lives as it further promote education, health care and economic growth via the creation of sustainable and clean energy jobs. Until recently, renewable energy technologies (RETs) have been confronted with a huge up-front cost and technologies in development but massive and global deployment of renewable energy systems has led to significant cost reductions and performance improvements and the hope is to see increasing uptake of RETs by African countries. Cameroon a Central African country is heavily reliant on hydropower, which contributes an estimated 60% to the country’s total installed 1,400MW capacity in 2015. In addition, there is constants power failure due to the non-reliability of the electric grid and load shedding to meet increasing demand. However, climate change poses additional huge risk (large reservoirs and dams drying up) and to meet the increasing demand, Cameroon is being forced to seek alternative power sources. This paper proposes the need for a sustainable hybrid energy system design and the development of an effective design, simulation and analysis approach of stand-alone off-grid in Cameroon as a potential optimal solution to help power community electrical loads. Finding an optimized mix of renewable energy technologies for Bandjoun and Muyuka were the goals of this paper.

Prospects for the Uptake of Renewable Energy Technologies in Rural Tanzania

Despite concerted efforts to encourage the use of renewable energy technologies (RET) such as solar home systems, their widespread adoption in many rural areas is yet to take place especially in Africa. There is already a considerable body of research on the factors influencing people to adopt and apply RET. However, such work has tended to focus on populations in the developed world using rational models of decision-making based on information, regulations and economics in quantitative methods. This study employed a qualitative approach to explore community perceptions, awareness and attitudes towards new technologies to examine how they might have impacted adoption and diffusion of RET in six randomly selected villages in Mtwara district, southern Tanzania. Data sources were focus group discussions and participant observations. A vast majority of study participants were unfamiliar with the various types of RET and were not using any of the RET for their energy consumption. Most participants in focus group discussions perceived RET similar to other development interventions set to raise their living standard but failed to yield expected outcome. Early understanding of perceptions and attitudes of communities towards new technologies is necessary to facilitate communities in rural areas to accept and transit to using RET.

Business models for model businesses: Lessons from renewable energy entrepreneurs in developing countries

Against the background of mounting research suggesting entrepreneurship as a means of increasing the uptake of renewable energy technologies (RETs) in developing countries, this paper presents the findings of an exploratory investigation into the business models used by renewable energy entrepreneurs in such countries. Forty-three entrepreneurs were interviewed in 28 developing countries and secondary information about country and regional conditions was analysed. We chose the Business Model Canvas as an analytical tool and the findings shed new light on established renewable energy business types. Three different types of businesses were identified – Consultants, Distributors, and Integrators; yet, there is also some overlap between these types. These business types appeared to parallel the life cycle progression of the business, but this requires further research. A key component of the study was to assess whether the types of businesses were related to country-level conditions to assess the impact of regional differences. These comparisons revealed consistencies between country-level characteristics and the entrepreneurs’ choice of business model. Conclusions suggest that different regions may support certain business models more than others due to differing levels of government interest in renewables, governance and policy support and the relative ease of doing business.

Innovation dynamics of the wind energy industry in South Africa and Brazil: technological and institutional lock-ins

This paper explores the conditions of path dependencies and technological lock-ins in the transition to low-carbon technologies such as renewable energy technologies. Both industrialized and emerging economies have been locked into fossil-fuel-based energy systems through a long process of technological and institutional evolution that create systemic market and policy barriers in the uptake of renewable energy technologies. We identify systemic features, that are in fact competitive advantages, such as entrepreneurial experimentation, formation of markets, knowledge development and diffusion, and influence in the direction of search that are critical in overcoming technological and institutional lock-ins, and in eventually driving the transition to low-carbon energy technologies. The two countries analysed here, South Africa and Brazil, have been locked into coal and hydropower technologies, respectively, for many decades, making the current transition to wind energy difficult. Using literature on technological innovation systems and on technological and carbon lock-ins, this paper analyses the systemic features in the two countries that have been identified to either block or induce the transition to wind energy industries.

Institutions, discourses, and the promotion of renewable energy

The article argues that a more rounded understanding of the factors affecting the promotion and uptake of renewable energy technologies may be obtained by bringing together neoinstitutional theory—informed by insights from institutional economics and organizational sociology—and discourse analysis. Such a discourse‐institutional view has a number of benefits: (1) institutionally, it moves analysis beyond the usual if understandable focus on the activities and policies of government; (2) institutions as norms, professional standards, culture, and ingrained habit are given due attention; (3) the language basis of institutions is duly recognized; and (4) connections among language in text, and in discursive and social practice are acknowledged, as are their role in processes of (non) institutionalization. The article summarizes the suggested approach, in doing so highlighting its relevance to the diffusion of renewable energy technologies. WIREs Energy Environ 2016, 5:119–124. doi: 10.1002/wene.169This article is categorized under: Energy Policy and Planning > Economics and Policy Energy Policy and Planning > Systems and Infrastructure Energy Research & Innovation > Economics and Policy

(Keynote) Issues and Challenges for Implementation of Large-Scale Energy Storage in Australia

The importance of energy storage for a renewable energy future, has been recognised since the oil crisis of the late 1970s, but despite a growing uptake of renewable energy technologies in recent decades, a global market for storage technologies has yet to emerge. Australia has a strong record of research and development of renewable energy technologies and storage, but a very poor record for commercialisation. This paper explores some of the issues and challenges being experienced by developers of energy storage technologies, particularly in Australia.

Renewable energy and market-based approaches to greenhouse gas reduction—opportunity or obstacle?

Market-based approaches to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, such as emissions trading, are increasingly favored as an alternative to ‘command and control’ legislation. With a focus on the Australian renewable energy (RE) industry and policy situation, this paper proposes that the development of RE technologies as a response to global warming is environmentally preferable and in the long-term economic interest of Australia. However, the Australian RE sector is disadvantaged by energy market distortions and lack of policy and program support. Under a market-based approach to GHG reduction complimentary policies will be needed to enable the uptake of RE technologies. The RE sector can also develop certain capabilities to help further the uptake of RE technologies in a market-based environment.