Pathway Analysis of a Zero-Emission Transition in the Nordic-Baltic Region

Peter D. Lund, Klaus Skytte, Simon Bolwig, Torjus Folsland Bolkesjö, Claire Bergaentzlé, Philipp Andreas Gunkel, Jon Gustav Kirkerud, Antje Klitkou, Hardi Koduvere, Armands Gravelsins, Dagnija Blumberga and Lennart Söder
Additional contact information
Peter D. Lund: Department of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Klaus Skytte: Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Simon Bolwig: Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Torjus Folsland Bolkesjö: Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), 1432 Aas, Norway
Claire Bergaentzlé: Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Philipp Andreas Gunkel: Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Jon Gustav Kirkerud: Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), 1432 Aas, Norway
Antje Klitkou: Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education (NIFU), 0608 Oslo, Norway
Hardi Koduvere: Department of Electrical Power Engineering and Mechatronics, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
Armands Gravelsins: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University (RTU), 1048 Riga, Latvia
Dagnija Blumberga: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University (RTU), 1048 Riga, Latvia
Lennart Söder: Division of Electric Power and Energy Systems, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), 10444 Stockholm, Sweden

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 17, 1-20

Abstract: A zero-emission pathway for the Nordic and Baltic region in Europe is described based on the comprehensive policy and scenario analyses, accompanied by energy system modelling. The analyses show that a least-cost strategy would massively employ renewable energy, particularly in the power sector. Through strong coupling across energy sectors and countries, electricity would play a central role in the decarbonization of the main energy sectors. In particular power-to-heat conversion, where heat storage appears important in addition to existing hydropower. Technical and regulatory barriers in front of increased sector coupling and flexibility were identified, and policy measures are proposed to overcome these. In addition to a high carbon price, dynamic tariffs and taxation of electricity would be important to allow market signals for flexibility to reach end-users. A stronger power transmission connection from the Nordics to the mainland-Europe and the United Kingdom would be beneficial for the emission reductions and renewable energy use. The transition pathway analysis points out socio-technical issues such as social acceptance of large-scale new infrastructures (e.g., wind, cables). The energy system optimizations indicate that most of the investments needed for the zero-emission pathway until 2050 would take place already by 2030.

Keywords: energy transition; decarbonization; sector coupling; policies; renewable energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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