The European Union (EU) is tackling climate change, energy supply security and economic competitiveness through the transformation of the energy system, with far-reaching implications on how we source and produce our energy, how we transport and trade it, and how we use it. The aim is to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by at least 85% by 2050 compared to the 1990 levels. There is no single energy technology that alone can sustain this transformation [FACT CHECK: False Statement !! Nuclear Power could sustain this transformation alone: see PDF pp. 64-76] Either the energy sources are not sufficiently abundant or they have drawbacks in terms of sustainability or security of supply. [If this is referring to uranium supplies, there are sufficient reserves in Canada alone to last at least 100 years, if needed]. In other cases, the technologies proposed are not yet competitive as compared to technologies using fossil fuels [FACT CHECK: This is debatable.] Therefore, a broad portfolio of low-carbon technologies is required for coping with future uncertainty. [The fading interest in wind and solar farms over the past 5 years (now 2020) based on electricity cost created by rising operation and maintenance costs in wind and solar projects will continue (more)].
According to the Energy Roadmap 2050 (COM(2011)885/2), under the current policies, the market trends show that only half of the targeted greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions would be achieved by 2050. The respective shares of electricity generation technologies in such reference scenarios in 2005 and 2050 are shown in the figures provided (see report). With more support for research and development (R&D) on new technologies and a supportive regulatory framework for low-carbon
technologies compared to the current policies, the decarbonization of the energy system can be significantly accelerated.
The Energy Roadmap 2050 examined four decarbonization pathways. These included different combinations of energy efficiency, renewables, nuclear, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) that would allow achieving the goal of 85% CO2 emission reduction in 2050. The shares of electricity generation technologies for two of these decarbonization pathways are presented in other figures in the report. The Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SETPlan) is the technology pillar of the EU’s energy and climate policy. It responds to the challenge of accelerating the development of low-carbon technologies, leading to their widespread market take-up. SETIS, the SET-Plan Information System, supports the SET-Plan.
One of SETIS’s regular outputs is the Technology Map, which presents the state of knowledge for low-carbon technologies in the following domains:
- assessment of the state of the art of a wide portfolio of low-carbon energy technologies,
- market and industry potential,
- barriers to their large-scale deployment,
- ongoing and planned R&D and demonstration efforts to overcome technological barriers.
[Note: Reports generated from 2013 to 2017 have not reported the actual cost of electricity from wind and solar farm projects becasue they were unknown at the time of installation. With the passing of time, these costs are just now beginning to be reported by independent reviewers who not associated with the wind and solar industries].
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-
