Second-stage challenges and opportunities for renewable energy and national variation in adoption

Paul Midford

Chapter 13 in Research Handbook on the Green Economy, 2024, pp 194-219 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter analyzes what it labels as “second-stage challenges” that face the current global renewable energy revolution. First-stage policies, such as the feed-in tariff and parity access to the grid for variable renewable energy have been extremely successful in promoting renewables by driving down costs and speeding their wider adoption. However, it is difficult for existing electricity grids, built for non-variable generation sources, to absorb variable renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, and consequently form the main second-stage infrastructure challenge impeding renewable energy from replacing fossil and nuclear fueled generation of electricity. Expanding electricity storage, the deployment of smart grids that facilitate demand-side management, and the geographical expansion of grids nationwide and beyond national borders are identified as the primary means for overcoming second-stage challenges. This chapter considers the role of vested interests, public opinion and strong states in facilitating or hindering the overcoming of second-stage challenges.

Keywords: Economics and Finance; Environment; Geography; Politics and Public Policy Urban and Regional Studies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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