The Rationale for Policies promoting Renewable Energy Sources and Policy Outcomes in two National Contexts

The Rationale for Policies promoting Renewable Energy Sources and Policy Outcomes in two National Contexts

Author: Ron Böhler

Publisher: GRIN Verlag

Published: 2017-10-04

Total Pages: 30

ISBN-13: 3668540551

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Essay from the year 2011 in the subject Politics - General and Theories of International Politics, grade: 1.7, University of Bath, language: English, abstract: The variety of renewable energy sources range from wind, sunlight, biomass and geothermal heat to rain, tides and waves (hydropower). Notwithstanding their massive importance for EU energy consumption, some energy carriers such as biomass and hydro are seen to be ‘deadlocked’ (Del Río Gonzaléz 2008, p.2917), while the promotion of wind power among EU member states is well researched. Hence, the case here shall be made for solar energy, with special reference to the promotion of photovoltaic (PV) power systems due to their suspected potential for further energy transitions in Europe. Being the ‘fastest growing power-generation technology in the world’ (REN21 2010, p.19), corresponding policy outcomes on the Iberian Peninsula will be illustrated and assessed. Rational policy-making aims at effective problem-solving strategies based on cost-benefit-calculations. Decisive is not which particular policy may in total terms maximize the outcome, but which one is optimal in relation to costs that accrue from this policy. The underlying question of rational choice theory thus is, why political decision-makers should prioritise a certain ‘path’ of policy-making over others. A rationale has thus always been assessed with regard to the effectiveness and efficiency towards a desired or intended political outcome. The Spanish and Portuguese National Renewable Energy Action Plans portray an adequate guideline for further analysis.


The Power of Renewables

The Power of Renewables

Author: Chinese Academy of Engineering

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2011-01-29

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 0309160006

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The United States and China are the world's top two energy consumers and, as of 2010, the two largest economies. Consequently, they have a decisive role to play in the world's clean energy future. Both countries are also motivated by related goals, namely diversified energy portfolios, job creation, energy security, and pollution reduction, making renewable energy development an important strategy with wide-ranging implications. Given the size of their energy markets, any substantial progress the two countries make in advancing use of renewable energy will provide global benefits, in terms of enhanced technological understanding, reduced costs through expanded deployment, and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to conventional generation from fossil fuels. Within this context, the U.S. National Academies, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), reviewed renewable energy development and deployment in the two countries, to highlight prospects for collaboration across the research to deployment chain and to suggest strategies which would promote more rapid and economical attainment of renewable energy goals. Main findings and concerning renewable resource assessments, technology development, environmental impacts, market infrastructure, among others, are presented. Specific recommendations have been limited to those judged to be most likely to accelerate the pace of deployment, increase cost-competitiveness, or shape the future market for renewable energy. The recommendations presented here are also pragmatic and achievable.


Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation

Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation

Author: Ottmar Edenhofer

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2011-11-21

Total Pages: 1088

ISBN-13: 9781107607101

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This Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report (IPCC-SRREN) assesses the potential role of renewable energy in the mitigation of climate change. It covers the six most important renewable energy sources - bioenergy, solar, geothermal, hydropower, ocean and wind energy - as well as their integration into present and future energy systems. It considers the environmental and social consequences associated with the deployment of these technologies, and presents strategies to overcome technical as well as non-technical obstacles to their application and diffusion. SRREN brings a broad spectrum of technology-specific experts together with scientists studying energy systems as a whole. Prepared following strict IPCC procedures, it presents an impartial assessment of the current state of knowledge: it is policy relevant but not policy prescriptive. SRREN is an invaluable assessment of the potential role of renewable energy for the mitigation of climate change for policymakers, the private sector, and academic researchers.


Renewable Energy Policy

Renewable Energy Policy

Author: Paul Komor

Publisher: iUniverse

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 0595312187

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Renewable energy is the key to the future of humankind. Wind power, solar (photovoltaic) energy, geothermal power, and other forms of renewables can help solve our most pressing environmental problems, including global climate change. But how do we move these promising technologies out of the laboratory and into widespread use? Renewable Energy Policy shows what public policy can-and cannot-do to help tap renewables' promise. Renewable Energy Policy takes a pragmatic, nuts-and-bolts look at the myriad government efforts to promote renewables, and reports back on what works, what doesn't, and why. In clear, jargon-free language, Renewable Energy Policy shows how and why some policies have achieved impressive results, and others have failed. Skillfully interweaving technology, economics, and politics, Paul Komor reveals how the best of policy ideas often end up with unintended results. If you want to know how much wind power really costs (Chapter 2), why Germany's renewables laws are "crude but effective" (Chapter 8), or the three reasons why the UK's green energy market is a flop (Chapter 4), then you need to read Renewable Energy Policy.


Future of solar photovoltaic

Future of solar photovoltaic

Author: International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA

Publisher: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Published: 2019-11-01

Total Pages: 145

ISBN-13: 9292601989

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This study presents options to fully unlock the world’s vast solar PV potential over the period until 2050. It builds on IRENA’s global roadmap to scale up renewables and meet climate goals.


Renewable Power Pathways

Renewable Power Pathways

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2000-04-24

Total Pages: 136

ISBN-13: 030917192X

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Renewable Power Pathways is the result of a study by the National Research Council (NRC) Committee for the Programmatic Review of the Office of Power Technologies (OPT) review of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Power Technologies and its research and development (R&D) programs. The OPT, which is part of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, conducts R&D programs for the production of electricity from renewable energy sources. Some of these programs are focused on photovoltaic, wind, solar, thermal, geothermal, biopower, and hydroelectric energy technologies; others are focused on energy storage, electric transmission (including superconductivity), and hydrogen technologies. A recent modest initiative is focused on distributed power-generation technologies. This report reviews the activities of each of OPT's programs and makes recommendations for OPT as a whole and major recommendations for individual OPT programs.


Communities in Action

Communities in Action

Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2017-04-27

Total Pages: 583

ISBN-13: 0309452961

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In the United States, some populations suffer from far greater disparities in health than others. Those disparities are caused not only by fundamental differences in health status across segments of the population, but also because of inequities in factors that impact health status, so-called determinants of health. Only part of an individual's health status depends on his or her behavior and choice; community-wide problems like poverty, unemployment, poor education, inadequate housing, poor public transportation, interpersonal violence, and decaying neighborhoods also contribute to health inequities, as well as the historic and ongoing interplay of structures, policies, and norms that shape lives. When these factors are not optimal in a community, it does not mean they are intractable: such inequities can be mitigated by social policies that can shape health in powerful ways. Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity seeks to delineate the causes of and the solutions to health inequities in the United States. This report focuses on what communities can do to promote health equity, what actions are needed by the many and varied stakeholders that are part of communities or support them, as well as the root causes and structural barriers that need to be overcome.


Sustainable Energy Development

Sustainable Energy Development

Author: Gamze Tanil

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2023-05-23

Total Pages: 150

ISBN-13: 3031280652

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This book investigates how the EU member states’ domestic energy policies have transformed in the last two decades as a consequence of horizontal and vertical integration forces. Integration is a dynamic process where member states adopt community rules, norms, and values, and meanwhile, learn from each other’s experiences. Today, Europe experiences an energy transition from fossil-fuels to cleaner sources of energy and European policy makers are committed to taking this significant step forward. Domestic structural change is, thus, observed in all member states‘ environmental and energy policies. This book presents an overview of the EU norms, legislation, and policy standards for renewable energies and analyses how member states transpose them into their domestic structure. The book also analyses the policy outcomes in the EU member states in a comparative perspective by using the most recent statistical data. This comparative analysis gives insight to investors and developers to decide on investment projects and/or manufacturing of renewable energy devices to these countries. It also provides a useful reference for policy makers, academics, students, and NGOs who need a quick overview of relevant national and EU legislation, policy standards, and policy outcomes.


Financing Clean Energy Access in Sub-Saharan Africa

Financing Clean Energy Access in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author: Bruno Michoud

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2021-07-15

Total Pages: 197

ISBN-13: 303075829X

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This open access book analyses barriers and challenges associated with the financing of clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa. By considering various economic, financial, political, environmental and social factors, it explores the consequences of energy poverty across the region and maps the real and perceived investment risks for potential capital providers, both domestic and international. Furthermore, it analyses risk mitigation strategies and innovative financing structures available to the public and private sectors, which are aimed at leveraging capital in the clean energy sector at scale and fostering the creation of an enabling business and investment environment. More specifically, the present book analyses how to (i) enhance capital allocation in projects and organisations that foster clean energy access in the region, (ii) mobilize private capital at scale and (iii) decrease the cost of financing through risk mitigation strategies. Going beyond traditional approaches, the book also considers socioeconomic and cultural aspects associated with investment barriers across the subcontinent. Moreover, it urges the public and private spheres to become more actively involved in tackling this pressing development issue, and provides policy recommendations for the public sector, including proposals for business model evolution at multilateral agencies and development institutions. It will appeal to a wide readership of both academics and professionals working in the energy industry, the financial sector and the political sphere, as well as to general readers interested in the ongoing debate about energy, sustainable development and finance.