Future low carbon energy systems

Risø Energy Report 7

Edited by Hans Larsen and Leif Sønderberg Petersen
 
Risø DTU, October 2008, ISBN 978-87-550-3690-1, 86 p.
Risø-R-1651(EN) 3 Mb Dansk resume, English summary
 

Abstract

This Risø Energy Report, the seventh of a series that began in 2002, takes as its point of reference the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007. The IPCC states that if anticipated climate change is to remain in the order of 2 to 3 degrees centigrades over the next century, the world’s CO2 emissions would have to peak within the next 10 – 15 years and ultimately be reduced to approximately 50% of their present level by the middle of the century.

The IPCC states further that this would be possible, provided that serious action is taken now. The different regions and countries of the world are in various states of development, and hence have different starting points for contributing to these reductions in CO2 emissions.

This report presents state-of-the-art and development perspectives for energy supply technologies, new energy systems, end-use energy efficiency improvements and new policy measures. It also includes estimates of the CO2 reduction potentials for different technologies. The technologies are characterized with regard to their ability to contribute either to ensuring a peak in CO2 emissions within 10 – 15 years, or to long-term CO2 reductions.
The report outlines the current and likely future composition of energy systems in Denmark, and examines three groups of countries: i) Europe and the other OECD member nations; ii) large and rapidly growing developing economies, notably India and China; iii) typical least developed countries, such as many African nations. The report emphasises how future energy developments and systems might be composed in these three country groupings, and to what extent the different technologies might contribute.

The report addresses the need for research and demonstration together with market incentives, and policy measures with focus on initiatives that can promote the development towards CO2 reductions. Specifically, the report identifies system options and technology mixes that can lead to the emissions peak in 2020 and 50% reduction in the long run, at the Danish and global level. The report is based on the latest research results from Risø DTU, together with available international literature and reports.
 

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