Clean energy systems as mainstream energy options. (19th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lund, Peter D.
• Is Part Of: International journal of energy research. Volume 40:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 4
• Page End: 12
• Publication Date: 2015-01-19
• Subjects: clean energy -- renewable energy -- urban energy systems -- modeling; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1002/er.3283
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-907X

Abstract

Summary: Solving the energy and climate challenges ahead will require introducing massive amounts of clean energy such as renewable energy (RE) sources, in particular, in urban areas as these dominate the energy use and emissions. Variable RE sources such as solar and wind are interesting mainstream energy options in this context. However, their use may cause major problems with the power system calling for more advanced strategies to enable optimal integration and bridging of the new and old energy system. Here, we demonstrate the usefulness of electricity‐to‐thermal conversion and RE linked to e‐mobility strategies to increase the RE share much beyond the traditional self‐use limit of power. For example, the Metropolitan Helsinki (Finland) region could in this way derive up to 60% of its electricity and 30% of its heat from wind power, without any major energy storage arrangements. In sunny climates, the use of photovoltaics could be increased by a factor of 2–3 over the self‐use limit of power through such strategies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abstract : Mitigating global energy and climate challenges requires large amounts of clean energy. Variable renewable energy (RE) sources such as solar and wind could be future mainstream energy options. Advanced strategies are needed to bridge these new technologies with the present energy system. Electricity‐to‐thermal conversion or e‐mobility in urban context could enable optimal integration of RE in large scale. In this way the RE share could be increased by a factor of 2–3 compared with the self‐use limit of power.