The Role of Renewable Energy in Regional Energy Transitions: An Aggregate Qualitative Analysis for the Partner Regions Bavaria, Georgia, Québec, São Paulo, Shandong, Upper Austria, and Western Cape

Sebastian Goers, Fiona Rumohr, Sebastian Fendt, Louis Gosselin, Gilberto M. Jannuzzi, Rodolfo D. M. Gomes, Stella M. S. Sousa and Reshmi Wolvers
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Sebastian Goers: Energieinstitut, Johannes Kepler University, Altenberger Straße 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
Fiona Rumohr: Bavarian Research Alliance, Prinzregentenstraße 52, 80538 Munich, Germany
Sebastian Fendt: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748 Garching, Germany
Louis Gosselin: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Gilberto M. Jannuzzi: Department of Energy, Mechanical Engineering Faculty, University of Campinas, Campinas CP 6122, Brazil
Rodolfo D. M. Gomes: International Energy Initiative, Av. José Rocha Bomfim 214, Campinas CEP: 13080-900, Brazil
Stella M. S. Sousa: Department of Energy, Mechanical Engineering Faculty, University of Campinas, Campinas CP 6122, Brazil
Reshmi Wolvers: GreenCape, 18 Roeland Street, Cape Town 8001, South Africa

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-30

Abstract: The study aims to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of renewable energy deployment in regional energy transitions for the regions of Bavaria, Georgia, Québec, São Paulo, Shandong, Upper Austria, and Western Cape, which comprise a political and scientific network called the Regional Leaders’ Summit (RLS) and RLS-Sciences, respectively. The results classify current renewable energy usage for electricity, heat and fuel production, existing renewable energy potentials, sound legal frameworks to support renewable energy, ongoing research and development activities and expertise in renewable energy conversion and storage as strengths. That fossil fuels still hold a significant share in gross inland energy consumption, energy-intensive industrial structures continue to be supported by fossil fuels and grid access is limited for renewables are identified as weaknesses. The main opportunities are green economies, climate change mitigation and technological innovations. Associated threats are demographic developments, lack of social acceptance and renewable energy resource volatility. We conclude that these regions’ energy systems could potentially enable the realization of a strong integration of renewables and cover partially distributed, decentralized energy systems with embedded energy storage, and the application of smart technologies. Furthermore, we discover that the role of governments in guiding and managing regional energy transitions is highly important.

Keywords: regional energy transition; renewable energy; SWOT analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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