Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation

IPCC WORKING GROUP 3

Introductory Chapter1. Renewable Energy and Climate Change Technology lChapters Chapters2. Bioenergy3. Direct Solar Energy4. Geothermal Energy5. Hydropower6. Ocean Energy7. Wind Energy

Integrative Chapters

8. Integration of Renewable Energy into Present and Future Energy Systems9. Renewable Energy in the Context of Sustainable Development10. Mitigation Potential and Costs11. Policy, Financing and Implementation

There are multiple options for lowering GHG emissions from the energy system while still satisfying the global demand for energy services.

Some of these possible options, such as energy conservation and efficiency, fossil fuel switching, RE, nuclear and carbon capture and storage (CCS) were assessed in the AR4. A comprehensive evaluation of any portfolio of mitigation options would involve an evaluation of their respective mitigation potential as well as their contribution to sustainable development and all associated risks and costs. [1.1.6] This report will concentrate on the role that the deployment of RE technologies can play within such a portfolio of mitigation options.

RE comprises a heterogeneous class of technologies

Various types of RE can supply electricity, thermal energy and mechanical energy, as well as produce fuels that are able to satisfy multiple energy service needs.Some RE technologies can be deployed at the point of use (decentralized) in rural and urban environments, whereas others are primarily deployed within large (centralized) energy networks

As well as having a large potential to mitigate climate change, RE can provide wider benefits.

RE may, if implemented properly, contribute to social and economic development, energy access, a secure energy supply, and reducing negative impacts on the environment and health.

Climate change will have impacts on the size and geographic distribution of the technical potential for RE sources, but research into the magnitude of these possible effects is nascent.

How will a changing climate impact the possible production from RE sources?

The levelized cost of energy for many RE technologies is currently higher than existing energy prices,though in various settings RE is already economically competitive.

Monetizing the external costs of energy supply would improve the relative competitiveness of RE. The same applies if market prices increase due to other reasons.SUBSIDIESThe attractiveness of a specific energy supply option depends also on broader economic as well as environmental and social aspects, and the contribution that the technology provides to meeting specific energy services (e.g., peak electricity demands) or imposes in the form of ancillary costs on the energy system

Biofuels:1. Corn ethanol2. Soy biodiesel3. Wheat ethanol4. Sugarcane ethanol5. Palm oil biodieselBiomass Heat:1. Municipal solid waste based CHP2. Anaerobic digestion based CHP3. Steam turbine CHP4. Domestic pellet heating system

Solar Thermal Heat:1. Domestic hot water systems in China2. Water and space heatingGeothermal Heat:1. Greenhouses2. Uncovered aquaculture ponds3. District heating4. Geothermal heat pumps5. Geothermal building heating

Biomass:1. Cofiring2. Small scale combined heat and power, CHP(Gasification internal combustion engine)3. Direct dedicated stoker & CHP4. Small scale CHP (steam turbine)5. Small scale CHP (organic Rankine cycle)

Solar Electricity:1. Concentrating solar power2. Utility-scale PV (1-axis and fixed tilt)3. Commercial rooftop PV4. Residential rooftop PVGeothermal Electricity:1. Condensing flash plant2. Binary cycle plantHydropower:1. All types

Ocean Electricity:1. Tidal barrageWind Electricity:1. Onshore2. Offshore

Electricity

Biomass Heat:1. Municipal solid waste based CHP2. Anaerobic digestion based CHP3. Steam turbine CHP4. Domestic pellet heating systemSolar Thermal Heat:1. Domestic hot water systems in China2. Water and space heatingGeothermal Heat:1. Greenhouses2. Uncovered aquaculture ponds3. District heating4. Geothermal heat pumps5. Geothermal building heating

Heat

Biofuels:1. Corn ethanol2. Soy biodiesel3. Wheat ethanol4. Sugarcane ethanol5. Palm oil biodiesel

Transport Fuels

Integration Central plant needs

◦ Production◦ Transmission◦ Distribution

Village plant needs◦ Production◦ Transmission◦ Distribution

Stand alone needs◦ Storage◦ Capacity◦ Usefulness

Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation

http://srren.ipcc-wg3.de/ipcc-srren-generic-presentation-1