Efficient and equitable spatial allocation of renewable power plants at the country scale

Martin Drechsler (), Jonas Egerer, Martin Lange, Frank Masurowski, Jürgen Meyerhoff and Malte Oehlmann
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Martin Drechsler: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ
Jonas Egerer: Berlin University of Technology, Fachgebiet Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturpolitik (WIP)
Martin Lange: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ
Frank Masurowski: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ
Malte Oehlmann: Berlin University of Technology, Institut für Landschaftsarchitektur und Umweltplanung, Fachgebiet Landschaftsökonomie

Nature Energy, 2017, vol. 2, issue 9, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Globally, the production of renewable energy is undergoing rapid growth. One of the most pressing issues is the appropriate allocation of renewable power plants, as the question of where to produce renewable electricity is highly controversial. Here we explore this issue through analysis of the efficient and equitable spatial allocation of wind turbines and photovoltaic power plants in Germany. We combine multiple methods, including legal analysis, economic and energy modelling, monetary valuation and numerical optimization. We find that minimum distances between renewable power plants and human settlements should be as small as is legally possible. Even small reductions in efficiency lead to large increases in equity. By considering electricity grid expansion costs, we find a more even allocation of power plants across the country than is the case when grid expansion costs are neglected.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2017.124

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