Renewable Energy Policies and Barriers
01 Jan 2004-pp 365-383
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider six different types of policies that affect renewable energy development, both directly or indirectly: renewable energy promotion policies, transport bio-fuels policies, emissions reduction policies, electric power restructuring policies, distributed generation policies, and rural electrification policies.
Abstract: The 1990s saw an explosion of energy policy changes around the globe Driven by economic, environmental, security, and social concerns, energy regulation has been in great flux Many of the changes are having a profound influence on renewable energy, both from policies explicitly designed to promote renewable energy and from other policies that indirectly influence incentives and barriers for renewable energy This article considers six different types of policies that affect renewable energy development, both directly or indirectly: renewable energy promotion policies, transport biofuels policies, emissions reduction policies, electric power restructuring policies, distributed generation policies, and rural electrification policies Each policy reduces one or more key barriers that impede development of renewable energy These barriers are discussed first In general, most renewable energy policies address cost-related barriers in some manner Many policies address the requirements for utilities to purchase renewable energy from power producers Most policies also address the perceived risks of renewable energy in one form or another (ie, technical, financial, legal) Still others primarily address regulatory and institutional barriers Some related policies may heighten barriers to renewable energy rather than reduce them Table 1 summarizes the key renewable energy policies and barriers presented
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TL;DR: In this paper, the technical, economic and policy aspects of solar energy development and deployment are analyzed, including tax credits and exemptions, feed-in-tariff, preferential interest rates, renewable portfolio standards and voluntary green power programs in many countries.
Abstract: Solar energy has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years due to both technological improvements resulting in cost reductions and government policies supportive of renewable energy development and utilization. This study analyzes the technical, economic and policy aspects of solar energy development and deployment. While the cost of solar energy has declined rapidly in the recent past, it still remains much higher than the cost of conventional energy technologies. Like other renewable energy technologies, solar energy benefits from fiscal and regulatory incentives, including tax credits and exemptions, feed-in-tariff, preferential interest rates, renewable portfolio standards and voluntary green power programs in many countries. The emerging carbon credit markets are expected to provide additional incentives to solar energy deployment; however, the scale of incentives provided by the existing carbon market instruments, such as, the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol is limited. Despite the huge technical potential, the development and large scale deployment of solar energy technologies world-wide still has to overcome a number of technical, financial, regulatory and institutional barriers. The continuation of policy supports might be necessary for several decades to maintain and enhance the growth of solar energy in both developed and developing countries.
547 citations
Additional excerpts
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TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the literature on decentralized power systems is presented, where 102 articles were reviewed and features of several technological alternatives available for decentralized power, the studies on modeling and analysis of economic, environmental and technological asibilities of both grid-connected (GC) and stand-alone (SA) systems as decentralized power options are presented.
Abstract: The decentralized power is characterised by generation of power nearer to the demand centers, focusing mainly on meeting local energy needs. A decentralized power system can function either in the presence of grid, where it can feed the surplus power generated to the grid, or as an independent/stand-alone isolated system exclusively meeting the local demands of remote locations. Further, decentralized power is also classified on the basis of type of energy resources used-non-renewable and renewable. These classifications along with a plethora of technological alternatives have made the whole prioritization process of decentralized power quite complicated for decision making. There is abundant literature, which has discussed various approaches that have been used to support decision making under such complex situations. We envisage that summarizing such literature and coming out with a review paper would greatly help the policy/decision makers and researchers in arriving at effective solutions. With such a felt need 102 articles were reviewed and features of several technological alternatives available for decentralized power, the studies on modeling and analysis of economic, environmental and technological asibilities of both grid-connected (GC) and stand-alone (SA) systems as decentralized power options are presented. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
492 citations
TL;DR: A review of the literature on power and supply sector developments and analyzes the role of modeling and optimization in this sector as well as the future prospective of optimization modeling as a tool for sustainable energy systems is presented in this paper.
Abstract: Electricity is conceivably the most multipurpose energy carrier in modern global economy, and therefore primarily linked to human and economic development. Energy sector reform is critical to sustainable energy development and includes reviewing and reforming subsidies, establishing credible regulatory frameworks, developing policy environments through regulatory interventions, and creating market-based approaches. Energy security has recently become an important policy driver and privatization of the electricity sector has secured energy supply and provided cheaper energy services in some countries in the short term, but has led to contrary effects elsewhere due to increasing competition, resulting in deferred investments in plant and infrastructure due to longer-term uncertainties. On the other hand global dependence on fossil fuels has led to the release of over 1100 GtCO2 into the atmosphere since the mid-19th century. Currently, energy-related GHG emissions, mainly from fossil fuel combustion for heat supply, electricity generation and transport, account for around 70% of total emissions including carbon dioxide, methane and some traces of nitrous oxide. This multitude of aspects play a role in societal debate in comparing electricity generating and supply options, such as cost, GHG emissions, radiological and toxicological exposure, occupational health and safety, employment, domestic energy security, and social impressions. Energy systems engineering provides a methodological scientific framework to arrive at realistic integrated solutions to complex energy problems, by adopting a holistic, systems-based approach, especially at decision making and planning stage. Modeling and optimization found widespread applications in the study of physical and chemical systems, production planning and scheduling systems, location and transportation problems, resource allocation in financial systems, and engineering design. This article reviews the literature on power and supply sector developments and analyzes the role of modeling and optimization in this sector as well as the future prospective of optimization modeling as a tool for sustainable energy systems.
361 citations
Cites background from "Renewable Energy Policies and Barri..."
...A case study [72] Beck and Martinot 2004 Policies and key barriers for diffusion of SA systems and GC systems like unfavorable pricing rules, private ownership, and lack of locational pricing leading to undervaluation of GC systems....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors compare the performance of two major support mechanisms, namely, tradable green certificates (TGC) and feed-in tariffs (FiT), and find that investor risks are much lower in a FiT system and that innovation incentives are larger.
329 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a review of the latest available research findings with the objective of demonstrating the rapid advancement in pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) and encouraging continued research in this field.
293 citations
Cites background from "Renewable Energy Policies and Barri..."
...governmental policies favoring fossil-fuel technologies, and market prices not reflecting 1409 public benefit of renewable energy [106]....
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References
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the need for technical know-how transfer, new replicable business models, credit for rural households and entrepreneurs, regulatory frameworks and financing for private power developers, market facilitation organizations, donor assistance aimed at expanding sustainable markets, smart...
Abstract: ▪ Abstract Renewable energy is shifting from the fringe to the mainstream of sustainable development. Past donor efforts achieved modest results but often were not sustained or replicated, which leads now to greater market orientation. Markets for rural household lighting with solar home systems, biogas, and small hydro power have expanded through rural entrepreneurship, government programs, and donor assistance, serving millions of households. Applications in agriculture, small industry, and social services are emerging. Public programs resulted in 220 million improved biomass cook stoves. Three percent of power generation capacity is largely small hydro and biomass power, with rapid growth of wind power. Experience suggests the need for technical know-how transfer, new replicable business models, credit for rural households and entrepreneurs, regulatory frameworks and financing for private power developers, market facilitation organizations, donor assistance aimed at expanding sustainable markets, smart...
466 citations
01 Jan 1999
TL;DR: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working in partnership with industry, government at the state and local level, and stakeholders representing environmental, community, and work force issues to prevent pollution at the source prior to recycling, treatment, and disposal as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: When the U.S. Congress began to pass environmental legislation in the early 1970s, it worked issue by issue, and often crisis by crisis. This symptom-by-symptom and crisis-by-crisis approach continued through the 1980s and early 1990s. The U.S. now has 16 major national environmental laws on the books, which are overseen by some 74 Congressional committees and subcommittees. There are thousands and thousands of pages of detailed, sometimes confusing environmental regulations. This fragmented approach has often resulted in pollution shifting. For example, pollutants have moved from air to water and water to land. It also has resulted frustration with the complex process of environmental regulation, and too little environmental protection at too high a cost. In recent years, EPA has been working in partnership with industry, government at the state and local level, and stakeholders representing environmental, community, and work force issues to prevent pollution at the source, prior to recycling, treatment, and disposal (USEPA, 1995).
225 citations
TL;DR: In this article, state clean energy funds supported by system benefits charges appear to be one of the more positive developments to emerge from electricity restructuring, working in combination with renewables portfolio standards and voluntary green power marketing programs, may transform renewable energy from niche to mainstream energy source.
25 citations