List of proposed scenarios and technologies for de-carbonizing Europe

Introduction
Various technologies methods and scenarios have been proposed for de-carbonizing the power and building heating sectors of the economy. Many are thought by some to be mutually exclusive if the technology were installed in quantity sufficient to make a difference, ie to totally carbonize. For example it is suggested by some authorities that simultaneous very large penetrations of nuclear energy and wind energy are incompatible. Other technologies require the inclusion of matching technologies - for example it has been suggested that large amounts of wind energy would require the technology of energy storage and greater investment in long distance transmission and the retention of fossil fuel power plant for use during no wind occurrences. It has been suggested that other technologies have technical limitations on penetration. For example it is widely recognized that in 50 years time, a horizon of interest, 70% of existing present buildings now, will still be in use, so new build of ultra low energy houses cannot de-carbonize the existing cities so other solutions must be found for existing cities. Similarly a limitation on the the mass use of air source heat pumps in cities is likely to be the limiting factor of the power distribution system,
This article lists and briefly summarizes the key features of the technologies and lays out the likely limitations of implementation, which matching technologies are implied, and which technologies are likely incompatible.
District heating and combined heat and power
In this technology, existing and or new power stations located near heat loads are used to provide power station waste heat - Combined heat and power to heat and cool legacy cities via District heating networks. These networks can also can take in geothermal, industrial waste heat, waste heat from refuse incineration, solar and wind derived heating energy, with large thermal stores used for heat storage. Detailed academic studies indicate this is one of the lowest cost routes to secure decarbonization
*Advantages - known technology. Bulk heat storage is well suited for balancing variable wind energy so these two technologies are compatible. Can use nuclear waste energy.
* Disadvantages- high capital cost of installing pipe networks, widespread disruption due to pipe installations. Requires a monopoly of heat supply
* Applicability - can be applied to most European cities
* Limitations - difficult to apply to dispersed low density housing, however the majority of the population lives in cities.
* Compatible technology for 100% decarbonization - rural areas unsuitable for district heating are suitable for geothermal and air source heat pumps
Large penetrations of nuclear energy
In this scenario, base load electricity is generated in nuclear power stations and used for all transport and building heating purposes in addition to the present uses for power ie motors in industry, lighting etc. large scale nuclear penetration is incompatible with eg large scale wind energy so large penetrations of both are likely to be mutually incompatible
District heating and combined heat and power
Existing and or new power stations located near heat loads are used to provide waste heat to heat legacy cities via district heat networks which also can take in geothermal, industrial waste heat, waste from refuse incineration, solar and wind derived heating energy, with large thermal stores used for heat storage. Detailed academic studies indicate this is one of the lowest cost route to secure decarbonization however it does not tackle transport carbon emissions which are significant
Pros - known technology
Cons - expensive, widespread disruption due to pipe installations
Super energy conservation
Retrofitting energy conservation to existing buildings and making all new buildings highly energy efficiency.
Pros - known technology
Cons - Difficult to get more than 30% reduction in building carbon costs without excessive costs on legacy buildings. Slow turnover and impact of new buildings. Uncertain effects compared to predicted from modelling. Possible health effects of reduced ventilation and hot water use.
Large penetrations of individual heat pumps for domestic heating
Pros - known technology
Cons - Increases load on what may be already overloaded electric networks. To make a large impact in Europe's legacy cities, air course heat pumps are the only viable type and these not work well during cold weather. There are also concern with regard to health issues which have not been resolved.
Large penetrations of of wind energy
Pros - known technology
Cons - Offshore is more expensive than gas or nuclear. Intermittent / variable so needs firm generation for no wind periods. large scale nuclear penetration is incompatible with eg large scale wind energy so large penetrations of both are likely to be mutually incompatible

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu