Transition to a greener Power Sector: Four different scopes on energy security. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fuentes, Sergio; Villafafila-Robles, Roberto; Olivella-Rosell, Pol; Rull-Duran, Joan; Galceran-Arellano, Samuel
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy focus. Volume 33(2020)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 36
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Solar energy -- Periodicals; 333.79405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ref.2020.03.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-0084

Abstract

Highlights: Energy transitions are a trend that is reshaping the global energy system Renewables deployment through electrification is fundamental for decarbonization Electrification tendency upraises power system's security as a policy priority Geography and geopolitics do shape strategies towards a sustainable power system The Energiewende represents the most comprehensive energy transition strategy Abstract : Energy transitions have placed the power system in the center of the energy agenda, since electricity constitutes a bridge between renewable resources and the decarbonization of the global economy. Therefore, due to stochasticity of renewable sources, guaranteeing a secure supply of electricity is crucial for achieving sustainable development, which has led energy security to become a priority within energy policy. This paper presents a review of four national security strategies focused in the power sector. The covered countries are the leaders in terms of electricity generation in their region, namely China, the United States, Germany and France, thus different approaches in the matter are contrasted and discussed. The analyzed countries tend to develop strategies focused on exploiting their indigenous energy resources. Nations possessing conventional fuels are willing to use them for enhancing their energy security under an all-of-the-above strategy, which implies also the expansion of renewable energy installations, as in the cases of the United States and China, while those ones that lack of fossil resources tend to compensate this hardship by relying deeper on renewable energy and reducing their energy consumption, as the European countries do. A frame for evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies on procuring energy security would be convenient for policy makers in order to strengthen security of the power sector.