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Climate change calls for an energy transition utilizing all available renewable energy resources, such as bioenergy from biomass. However, the use of biomass is debated in society, and public acceptance is low or lacking. This survey-based research demonstrates for the first time that public acceptance of bioenergy hinges on (a) the type of biomass feedstock used to generate bioenergy and (b) the perceptions of the effectiveness of bioenergy in contributing to the energy transition. A survey-embedded vignette experiment (with 409 Dutch participants) shows that public acceptance of the biomass feedstocks 'wood' and 'energy crops' is significantly lower than the acceptance of 'organic waste' and 'manure' for bioenergy. These results indicate that the biomass feedstock type should be more carefully considered and specified in future research and communication on public acceptance of bioenergy. Thematic coding and bootstrapped mediation analyses identified the perceived effectivity of bioenergy in contributing to the energy transition as a prime explanatory (i.e. , mediating) variable for acceptance. A subsequent message-framing communication experiment (with 414 Dutch participants) demonstrates that emphasizing biomass feedstock as a form of waste utilization is a frame that helps to increase public acceptance of bioenergy. The waste utilization frame notably improves the perceptions of the effectiveness of bioenergy as contributing to the energy transition for the two lesser accepted biomass feedstocks. The emphasis on biomass feedstock type as a form of waste treatment can improve strategic communications on bioenergy and foster wider public acceptance of bioenergy in the transition toward a more sustainable energy system. [Display omitted] • Public acceptance of bioenergy from biomass depends on the type of biomass feedstock. • The way a biomass type is perceived as effective for energy transition determines its acceptance. • Failing to define the biomass type in surveys may result in false conclusions about acceptance. • A frame of waste utilization is recommended in communication about biomass for bioenergy. • Strategic communication can promote the use of biomass for bioenergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social science scholars have identified a "spatial turn" in energy research over the last three decades. This article systematically reviews the literature on energy, space, and place and decomposes this inter- and transdisciplinary academic landscape. A corpus of 7879 research articles related to spatial perspectives on energy issues is processed and analyzed based on a step-by-step framework for the automated, transparent, and reproducible analysis of large sets of research articles. For this purpose, natural language processing approaches, including named entity recognition and structural topic modeling, are adopted. Based on this large-n selection procedure, selected topics related to the geographical political economy of the energy transition are reviewed in detail. The review maps the geographical scope and scale of the research field, highlights major topics, and shows the distribution of methodological approaches and the role of geographic information systems in this research field. The results show a growing body of literature attentive to socio-spatial variation and the uneven spatiality of energy systems. Nevertheless, uneven geographical distributions of studies with a strong focus on the major industrialized countries and generally only a few comparative cases were also found. In particular, research on the energy transition and renewable energy policy is strongly informed by studies addressing the Global North, limiting the evidence base for other regional contexts from the Global South. [Display omitted] • Growing body of literature attentive to socio-spatial variation across time and space and the uneven spatiality of energy systems. • Uneven geographical distributions of studies and lack of diversity of geographical scope. • Low number of identified comparative cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global energy sector has experienced significant expansion in recent years, driven by rising demand and technological advancements. This growth has led to both opportunities and challenges, including global warming and the need to offset global carbon emissions. A wide range of technological maturity characterizes the current state of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. To efficiently navigate and accelerate the implementation of these solutions, conducting an in-depth assessment of various CCS technologies is necessary. In the literature, maturity assessment-based study of CCS technologies exists only using expert surveys. This study aimed to conduct a technology readiness level (TRL) assessment of CCS technologies with the help of a multi-faceted approach comprising a literature review, technology identification, data collection, TRL mapping, expert survey, and comparative analysis. To achieve this, 79 CCS projects from the literature were analyzed to identify growing trends in the CCS industry. The analysis shows that both pre-combustion and post-combustion capture are mature technologies achieving TRL 9, while oxy-fuel capture is ranked at TRL 7. Similarly, carbon storage technologies achieved high ranking, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and storage in saline aquifers are fully commercial and ranked at TRL 9. Enhanced coal bed methane (ECBM) extraction is trailing at TRL 3 in the research phase. In addition, a total of 21 experts were surveyed, and their statements corroborate the conclusions of the literature review. The research concludes that post-combustion capture and EOR are the most popular CCS technologies, respectively. [Display omitted] • A comprehensive overview of different types of CCS technologies is presented. • Existing CCS projects are reviewed in terms of Technology Readiness Level. • Post-combustion capture stands out as the most mature carbon capture technology. • Enhanced Oil Recovery and Saline Aquifer are the most mature CS technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optimization model that incorporates all combinatorically feasible inter-plant collaboration networks is developed using P-graph. It has been theoretically proven that time-sliced-based energy planning optimization has positive impacts and is capable of achieving carbon emissions reduction goals and minimizing costs simultaneously. However, as the number of entities increased, an exponential growth in possible combinatorial feasible coalitions is anticipated. Therefore, an extension of the P-graph optimization tool that is capable of generating all possible outcomes in multi-period P2P energy trading – PEP (P-graph for energy planning) is developed. The PEP software can be effectively used in modelling complex process networks graphically and solving optimization problems with the combined advantages of combinatorial algorithms and mathematical programming. In this paper, a systematic framework for implementing P2P energy trading using PEP software is proposed and demonstrated using a real-life case study. [Display omitted] • An optimization tool – PEP software is developed to model P2P energy trading scheme. • The software is capable of generating all possible financial outcomes effectively. • Optimal coalition structure is chosen based on the highest cost savings. • Marginal contribution analysis is done to ensure fair profit distribution. • The sample case study showed that entities can reduce electricity bills by 6.75 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relying on traditional biomass for cooking has become less common in many regions worldwide, however, most of the Sub-Sahara African population lacks access to clean cooking and still uses charcoal and firewood for cooking. Thus, seeking sustainable development in Sub-Sahara Africa regions would be hindered due to the consequences connected with replying on traditional cooking which leads to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation, and resulting in high death rates each year. This study explores the potential and challenges of energy transition and household cooking sustainability enhancement in Sub-Sahara African regions. The results show that innovative solutions related to the improved cookstoves and renewable energy sources are emerging to address these challenges and pave the way for a more sustainable future. However, there are various factors hindering the implementation of these innovations, including cultural factors, financial aspects, awareness, technical and logistical barriers and policy frameworks. This study also identifies a link between households cooking sustainability and the potential of achieving numerous Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, the study highlights some examples of sustainability interventions to enhance the widespread adoption of sustainable cooking practices in Sub-Sahara Africa, including financial, technical innovations, policy support and research and development. Therefore, this research provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to promote households cooking sustainability and facilitate sustainable development progress in the region. • There is potential of household cooking sustainability in Sub Sahara Africa. • A framework of co-benefit of cooking sustainability on SDGs was introduced. • A challenge is limited access to clean fuels and Improved cookstove. • Enhancement of energy transition could be a way for household cooking sustainability. • Collaboration and investments are key solutions to energy transition in Sub Sahara Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve net-zero emissions, major countries have implemented energy transition and electrification policies, incurring significant costs. Each sector, including generation, industry, transport, and buildings, has its own decarbonization strategy. However, as net-zero emission is a cross-sectoral issue, decarbonization efforts in one sector can impact others. In this study, we employed a combination of renewable energy adoption planning, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) charging pattern simulation, and electricity market modeling to evaluate the cost implications of transitioning to BEVs in the transport sector and its subsequent impact on the power generation sector. We considered long-term Korean policies for the power and transport sectors when constructing scenarios to compare transition costs. Our results indicate that, while the additional electricity demand from BEVs increases electricity system costs, utilizing nuclear power can significantly reduce these costs. The estimated cost of BEVs, totaling three billion US dollars, can be covered through the relevant transition policy in the power sector. However, nuclear power in Korea is only a temporary solution that delays the social costs of achieving net-zero emissions. Thus, the Korean government should develop alternatives for clean electricity. Our results also suggest that the decarbonization cost transition from a sector to the power sector should be considered in the net-zero policy. [Display omitted] • Electrification may cause a lot of transition costs for the generation sector. • Our study shows the transition cost transferred from transport to power sector. • The utilization of nuclear power can reduce such transition cost. • Improving the capacity factor of nuclear power can further reduce transition costs. • The sectoral cost transfer should be considered in mitigation target allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offshore wind auctions in Europe have recently seen considerable price decreases, with resulting support levels low enough to warrant the question whether project profitabilities are robust enough against changing market prices, or whether project suffer from low returns upon project realisation. This study investigates the development of profitability between auction date and Final Investment Decision, mainly through identifying impacts of changes in electricity prices, using stochastic discounted cash flow analysis. Some projects seem to have experienced adverse market developments. The study employs an explanatory-sequential approach to analyse two strategies to mitigate this risk: Pricing risks into the auction bid and absorbing losses through reduced returns or, alternatively, passing them down to contractors in the supply chain. The study finds indications that post-auction market developments have likely led to diminishing returns of developers, rather than increased price pressure on contractors. The study enhances the understanding of project profitabilities and developers' choices between auction and investment decision, and therewith opens the discussion on post-auction industry dynamics as an increasingly relevant factor to ensure that offshore wind can live up to its envisaged role in the decarbonisation of society. [Display omitted] • Detailed empirical approach to assessing economic viability of projects over time. • Implications of adverse market developments in major European offshore wind projects. • Some developers have experienced diminishing returns from market price changes. • Post-auction industry dynamics as increasingly relevant research field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional climate strategies focus on long-term emissions targets, neglecting cumulative CO 2 emissions and often limiting their scope to territorial emissions. Additionally, individual citizens struggle to connect with community targets. This study addresses these issues by computing a comprehensive carbon footprint pathway that, as a main contribution, can be easily personalized and associated with common carbon footprint calculators. This approach innovatively leverages inverted "S-shaped" patterns based on logistic functions that, unlike common linear patterns, have been documented as relevant for diffusion mechanisms of social or ecological transformations. One challenge lies in efficiently aligning the carbon footprint figures, expressed in CO 2eq , with IPCC's +2 °C carbon budgets, expressed in CO 2 -only. This work first retrieves the current share of CO 2 -only footprint and then defines two mitigation pathways: one focusing solely on CO 2 emissions and one addressing residual GHGs. Except for initial and final emission levels, both targeted pathways are defined by the same logistic function, based on the assumed intrinsic link between CO 2 and the other GHGs. As final targets, the CO 2 -only pathway considers the common net-zero emission goal while the second pathway considers a level of 1 tCO 2eq /year per capita of unmitigated non-CO 2 emissions, in alignment with IPCC's latest assumptions and anticipated population growth. Besides the new +2 °C compatible suggested pathways, developing this method for France and Wallonia has also revealed that they should reach territorial (nature-based) carbon uptake of at least three times their current levels, necessitating deep land-use changes in their policies (implementing intensive urban vegetation, alternative agriculture techniques, etc). [Display omitted] • +2 °C "equity" carbon budget is linked to carbon footprints, collective or individual. • Individuals can now set their own +2 °C compatible carbon footprint mitigation pathway. • Suggested pathways use "S-curves" and address documented issues of climate strategies. • 2050 carbon footprint shall reach 1 tCO 2eq /year per capita for France and Wallonia. • Both regions shall achieve a minimum increase of +300 % in CO 2 uptake across all areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweden has experienced two decades of wind power expansion and enters a broad diffusion phase. In this study the aim is to deepen the knowledge of the municipal role in this phase in relation to national wind power policy. Local public officials and politicians was interviewed in fourteen Swedish municipalities. The results show that municipal representatives experience great uncertainty about the responsibilities and incentives they have in the energy transition – responsibilities that are difficult to interpret but also difficult to realize in practice. In conclusion, unclear State policy, increased social resistance, lacking municipal capabilities, and a market-driven planning regime adds a burden of incongruous responsibility on municipalities, which risks enforcing uncertainties in the transition of the national energy system. The study brings socio-technical insight to the global expansion of renewable energy within decentralized political systems. • Municipal operationalization of Swedish wind power strategy is studied. • Wind power planning regime presents incongruous responsibilities for municipalities. • Wind power development in high-demand Swedish regions for fossil-free energy is hindered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to renewable energy sources is crucial for combating climate change and enhancing energy security. However, along with well-acknowledged benefits, the energy transition may impose overlooked and unintentional risks to sustainability, stemming from patterns of trade between countries. The buildup of solar and wind energy capacity requires critical metals and equipment that are often imported, while too ambitious renewable energy and climate policies may lead to the offshoring of energy- and carbon-intensive industries, resulting in carbon leakage. This study uses principal component and cluster analyses to estimate indicators of trade-related energy security and carbon dioxide emissions embedded in trade of the sixty-four countries. The analysis indicates that wealthier countries, particularly those that are not energy self-sufficient, are more likely to utilize solar and wind energy. Solar and wind energy use is also associated with higher imports of embedded energy and emissions, as well as imports of metals and equipment required for renewable energy production. In contrast, energy-self-sufficient countries, being net exporters of both energy and energy embedded in products, barely use solar and wind for electricity generation and hardly import metals or low-carbon technologies. This study highlights the need to account for possible cross-border dependencies and displaced emissions, which may result from higher reliance on distributed renewable energy sources. [Display omitted] • The energy transition faces sustainability challenges due to cross-border trading. • Principal component and cluster analyses applied to analyze country-level data. • Renewable energy is linked to reliance on imported emissions and embedded energy. • Renewables may elevate dependence on imported metals and low-carbon equipment. • The World Energy Trilemma Index should account for cross-border interdependencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cameroon possesses a significant endowment of solar energy, granting it exceptional potential for the generation of hydrogen through environmentally friendly means. However, the continued expansion of the nation's petroleum industry presents an obstacle to the domestic utilization of green hydrogen due to its present costliness for energy purposes. Nonetheless, the prospect of exporting green hydrogen to developed nations remains an intriguing proposition. Indeed, a pact concerning hydrogen was established between Australia and Cameroon in the year 2021, thus opening avenues for the export of green hydrogen to facilitate the decarbonization of national energy supplies in Australia and other industrialized nations. Presently, there are no documented large-scale projects within Cameroon dedicated to the electrolytic production of hydrogen. This study projects the potential hydrogen demand in the electricity and transportation sectors up to 2040. Electricity demand is expected to be as high as 8675 GWh in 2040, while gasoline and diesel demand are expected to reach 1.75 and 3.26 million cubic meters, respectively. Therefore, the total amount of hydrogen needed to power both the electricity and transportation sectors is estimated at 0.532 megatonnes. Even a relatively modest allocation, merely 5 %, of Cameroon's land for the production of hydrogen via solar-powered electricity generation could yield a surplus. This resultant quantity of hydrogen, estimated at a substantial 16.68 megatonnes, would likely be more than enough to satisfy the projected domestic needs for both electrical and transportation uses by the year 2040. [Display omitted] • Green hydrogen can meet Cameroon's electricity and transport demands by 2040. • The study projects energy needs and potential for solar-powered hydrogen production. • Results suggest green hydrogen can fulfil domestic needs and generate export surplus. • Hydrogen is proposed as a flexible solution for a cleaner energy future in Cameroon. • Green hydrogen's role in Cameroon's transition to renewable energy is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable Development Goal 7 highlights the importance of affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy. Transition to clean energy is vital for achieving climate action goals. Hydrogen can serve as a clean energy carrier, with the potential to decarbonize industry, transportation, and other sectors. As of 2021, hydrogen was mainly produced using fossil fuels (grey hydrogen), and only about 1 % of global hydrogen output was produced with renewable energy (green hydrogen). The transition to green hydrogen requires new hydrogen production, storage, and distribution facilities which is challenging to implement due to a lack of associated infrastructure and high upfront costs. This study highlighted barriers and opportunities for hydrogen technologies by reviewing evidence and establishing links with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The review identified fifty-two opportunities and forty-six challenges linked to SDGs1, 2, 4.6, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13. Out of all the hydrogen production technologies green hydrogen was the most common choice noted in the. Technical opportunities for green hydrogen production were found to have the potential to positively impact society and environment, but high costs were noted to be a barrier. To reduce economic barriers, recommendations include analysing the impact of subsidies and working further on the development of policies and regulations to support the scaling-up of green hydrogen systems. [Display omitted] • Hydrogen supports SDG 7 ambitions, but high costs and a lack of existing infrastructure noted as barriers. • Review identifies fifty-two opportunities and forty-six challenges connecting hydrogen with SDGs. • Hydrogen presents sustainability synergies (environmental and social) and trade-offs (economic). • Green hydrogen is the most common solution identified in literature with the potential to support SDGs. • Need for subsidies to support scale up of green hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seriousness of the global climate crisis makes the path towards the decarbonization of societies irreversible. In response to this call for action, the entire power system community has been actively researching, proposing, and implementing measures to minimize the share of emissions. Instigated by ambitious (EU) legislation, increasing public awareness of the problem, and the competitiveness of PV and onshore wind technologies, the past two decades have seen several EU countries paving the way towards large-scale penetration of renewables, such as Portugal and Spain, where the share of renewables has grown by leaps and bounds. As this process has unfolded, the large scope of challenges posed by integrating these two technologies requires further debate. These include technical and conceptual aspects of the infrastructure, such as an increasing number of grid connections, lack of inertia, power balancing issues derived from the stochastic nature of renewables, and issues of market participation and fairness. Notwithstanding, this has also "opened the door" to a broad range of solutions that can effectively tackle the lack of system flexibility. Among them, the Iberian Peninsula is a privileged spot to invest in promising renewable energy sources with attractive energy densities to complement the existing portfolio, namely ocean, offshore wind, and hydrogen technologies. Hence, this study analyzes and discusses this transformative process, promotes a better understanding of its challenges, and provides guided policy suggestions to move forward while preserving the security and resilience of the system. [Display omitted] • Characterization of the Iberian generation "green" transformation. • Underlining the role of dispatchable generation capacity. • Comparison of trends and policies between the two Iberian countries. • State-of-the-art review of the different system flexibility options. • Future policy path suggestions: The case for a gradual and system wide approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitioning towards a low-carbon energy system is critical to mitigate climate change risks and ensuring energy security. However, few studies have examined the coordinated transition between the supply-side and demand-side aspects of energy systems. In the present study, a quantitative evaluation system for the energy transition in China considering both the supply and demand sides is established, and the coupled coordination degree and the Tapio decoupling model are utilized to analyse the level of coordinated development between these sides. Machine learning techniques are employed to identify key drivers of coordinated transitions. Several key findings are derived: (1) Between 2005 and 2020, China's energy transition level increased significantly. However, the demand-side transition lagged behind the supply-side. (2) Significant regional differences existed; the southwestern region led in terms of progress, while the northeastern and northern regions lagged behind. The spatial distribution pattern indicated higher levels in the southern region and lower levels in the northern region. (3) The level of coordinated transition was moderate, but the coupling relationship increased. The southwest region exhibited the highest level of coordinated transformation; however, supply-side transformation lagged in the southeastern region, and demand-side transformation lagged in the northern region. (4) The coordinated transition was linked to regional development levels. This transformation was driven by environmental regulations and industrial structures. Furthermore, technological level, affluence level, urbanization level, and foreign direct investment were influencing factors. This study provides a scientific basis for thoroughly understanding China's energy transition challenges, prioritizing governance efforts, and formulating effective transition policies. • The level of cleanliness in China's energy system significantly improved from 2005 to 2020. • The energy transition in China exhibited a spatial pattern of "higher levels in the south and lower levels in the north". • The level of coordinated transition in China is generally moderate, but the coupling relationship shows an upward trend. • The coordinated transition between the supply-side and demand-side is closely related to regional development levels. • Government regulation and industrial restructuring are core measures for promoting coordinated transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need to switch from fossil to bio-based fuels in the transport sector, particularly in shipping and aviation. The growth of the world's population has resulted in a significant impact on passenger transport, with a noticeable increase in greenhouse gas emissions, depletion of fossil resources and associated risks in all three pillars of sustainability. In this context, new policies, standards and targets have been developed to reduce this environmental damage, which is mainly caused by the use of fossil fuels. Therefore, the alternative of using biofuels seems to be the most appropriate solution, to the extent that important targets have been set and specific directives have been developed for the integration of biofuels in the maritime and aviation sectors. However, to demonstrate that switching to biofuels is indeed beneficial, it is necessary to evaluate new biofuel scenarios from a life-cycle perspective, with particular emphasis on analyses that provide information beyond the present, such as prospective life-cycle assessments. To this end, the focus of this review is on the current trends in the production of biofuels for the marine and aviation sectors, taking into account the main targets set, the existing regulations and directives on the subject, and an analysis of the type of technologies used for their production. It also addresses biofuel Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) scenarios and future LCA approaches, and how these analyses should be carried out to be effective. Finally, key policies, standards and certifications are analyzed. The trends and bottlenecks discussed in this review concerning the actual and future development of the biofuels sector could be used by policy makers and stakeholders to identify efforts that favor the integration of biofuels into the value chain. Furthermore, it could be concluded that the evaluation of the guidelines foreseen in the development of competitive scenarios based on emerging technologies, as well as the adoption of policies and restrictions on the use of fuels, are key conditions to establish the roadmap for the widespread implementation of biofuels. • Reducing shipping and aviation carbon intensity by using sustainable fuels. • Standards and policies should promote and enhance biofuel market penetration. • Main challenges: reduction on production costs and higher technological mature. • Higher fuel quality for aviation than for shipping sector is required. • Prospective LCA to assess the future prospect on biofuel emerging technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring that electricity systems maintain reliable power supplies is critical to sustaining political support for the low-carbon energy transition. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze the recent electricity disruptions in China and evaluate the government's response. Since 2020, China has faced three unprecedented power outage affecting multiple provinces for weeks. This study investigates the interplay of various factors contributing to China's power crisis and examines the government's policies aimed at addressing immediate issues while advancing broader reforms. Key policy measures involve adjusting the electricity market to allow greater price fluctuations for coal-fired electricity and opening the wholesale market to industrial and commercial users. While this reform is expected to boost market competitiveness, the present market structure falls short of what is likely needed to ensure that power sector dispatch, pricing, and investment can work together to ensure reliable electricity supply in the context of China's transition towards carbon neutrality. To create an advanced, resilient, and flexible renewable energy grid, more intricate reforms across the electricity system, market, regulatory framework, and institutions will be essential. [Display omitted] • Power reliability is critical to keeping political support for energy transition. • A combination of factors led to power curtailments in China in recent times. • Policy responses to address China's power crisis are examined. • Implications of these policy changes are assessed. • An integrated solution framework is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to avoid dangerous climate change and to satisfy the global energy needs energy systems have to change. Hopes are especially high in countries of the Global South for the low-carbon transition to propel sustainable development. Yet, while the energy transition provides opportunities, it also raises questions on how to avoid new global inequalities. This study presents the first quantitative approach to measure the extent to which the energy transitions in the Global South incorporate elements of energy justice. In doing so, this study builds on a rich literature on energy justice that differentiates between distributional, recognition, and procedural justice, thus taking into account social and development objectives such as affordability and accessibility of energy, the inclusion of marginalised parts of society, as well as broader community involvement and participation. Though much important conceptual and qualitative work has been done, what has been lacking so far is a quantitative measure of the degree to which the energy transition lives up to the imperative of energy justice, going beyond the much-studied Global North. The proposed energy justice index is designed and applied to select countries from Southeast Asia (Malaysia), sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya), the MENA region (Jordan), and Latin America (Chile). The index stands the test of the empirical application and demonstrates significant variation between countries along the different dimensions of energy justice. The study also emphasizes the importance of further testing and of improving data quality for informed policy making of energy justice issues in the Global South. [Display omitted] • The low carbon energy transition raises questions on how to avoid new global inequalities. • This study presents a quantitative index that measures energy justice in the Global South. • Four country case studies are empirically assessed: Kenya, Jordan, Chile, and Malaysia. • Results demonstrate significant variation along the different dimensions of energy justice. • The analysis also highlights the importance to improve data availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decarbonization of energy systems requires the deployment of intermittent renewables (wind and solar) with increasingly low costs. The growth of these renewables impacts power prices, which may influence hydropower investments and the adoption of fossil-fuel options for baseload electricity. It thus remains unclear whether deploying more intermittent renewables would reduce the net carbon emissions across energy systems in the absence of well-designed policy. This study first developed a techno-economic optimization model to explore the impacts of future projections of intermittent renewables on long-run electricity prices and the subsequent hydropower investments, using Hubei Province of China as a case study. The carbon emissions associated with the change in hydropower investment were then quantified. Results indicate that the new policy-driven renewables deployment reduces the electricity prices by 36 % on average over 2021–2100, compared to the case with the policy specified in the prior (13th) National Five-Year Plan. Without intervention, the lower electricity price could result in a 42 % reduction in hydropower investments by 2050. With increased intermittent renewables and decreased investments in hydropower, the energy system is expected to deploy more backup fossil-fuel options, which could increase carbon emissions by 45 %. Therefore, deploying more renewable energy would depress the investments in hydropower plants and further hinder decarbonization unexpectedly, suggesting a possible paradox in the energy transition. This possible paradox calls for a new, and robust policy to ensure the benefits of decarbonization are realized regardless of potential changes electricity prices. [Display omitted] • A dynamic techno-economic optimization model is developed to derive hydropower investments. • Long-term electricity prices are shaped by policy-driven projections of renewable energy. • Ambitious intermittent renewable projections depress hydropower investment by reducing electricity prices. • Carbon emissions relating to energy system evolution are quantified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low-carbon future based on renewable energy systems is required to limit global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century. However, economy-wide decarbonisation is projected to be highly material and energy intensive. Understanding the material-energy nexus through existing research would offer valuable insights for comprehensive resource management to achieve sustainable climate mitigation. This study provides the first systematic review of material-energy nexus literature published between 2002 and 2022, emphasising the interconnections and feedback loops between material and energy systems. The global knowledge-stock is comprehensively assessed regarding research focus, sustainability challenges, and corresponding circular economy strategies. Additionally, significant gaps in the research agenda and key policy implications for both material consuming-developed countries and producing-developing countries are proposed. Findings of this study underscore the vital role of international cooperation in managing primary and secondary material supply chains, grounded in the "common but differentiated responsibilities" principle under the Paris Agreement. Consuming-developed countries should support producing-developing countries in building renewable energy capacity, optimising energy saving technologies and measures, and adhering to high environmental standards for resources extraction and production. Meanwhile, both consuming-developed countries and producing-developing countries should take domestic mitigation measures. The former should focus on changing consumption behaviour, and the latter on increasing resource efficiency. [Display omitted] • M -E Nexus material focus moving from bulk materials to minor metals. • Demand-side energy efficiency equally important to renewable supply. • Metals co-production induce oversupply and undersupply of associated metals. • Reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture and repurpose are underrepresented. • Circular economy requires behavioural transition and economic incentives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With growing gas and oil prices, electricity generation based on these fossil fuels is becoming increasingly expensive. Furthermore, the vision of natural gas as a transition fuel is subject to many constraints and uncertainties of economic, environmental, and geopolitical nature. Consequently, renewable energies such as solar and wind power are expected to reach new records of installed capacity over the upcoming years. Considering the above, North Africa is one of the regions with the largest renewable resource potential globally. While extensively studied in the literature, these resources remain underutilized. Thus, to contribute to their future successful deployment and integration with the power system, this study presents a spatial and temporal analysis of the nature of solar and wind resources over North Africa from the perspective of energy droughts. Both the frequency and maximal duration of energy droughts are addressed. Both aspects of renewables' variable nature have been evaluated in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) context. The analysis considers the period between 1960 and 2020 based on hourly reanalysis data (i.e., near-surface shortwave irradiation, wind speed, and air temperature) and the Hurrel NAO index. The findings show an in-phase relationship between solar power and winter NAO index, particularly over the coastal regions in western North Africa and opposite patterns in its eastern part. For wind energy, the connection with NAO has a more zonal pattern, with negative correlations in the north and positive correlations in the south. Solar energy droughts dominate northern Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, while wind energy droughts mainly occur in the Atlas Mountains range. On average, solar energy droughts tend not to exceed 2–3 consecutive days, with the longest extending for five days. Wind energy droughts can be as prolonged as 80 days (Atlas Mountains). Hybridizing solar and wind energy reduces the potential for energy droughts significantly. At the same time, the correlation between their occurrence and the NAO index remains low. These findings show the potential for substantial resilience to inter-annual climate variability, which could benefit the future stability of renewables-dominated power systems. [Display omitted] • A negative correlation between NAO and wind power in northern coastal regions. • Energy droughts dominate coastal regions. • Solar-wind hybridization reduces energy droughts in North Africa. • Seasonal NAO index does not correlate significantly with energy droughts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community renewable energy is increasing globally, but many northern and remote Indigenous communities remain energy insecure. Community appropriate sustainable energy solutions requires more than building renewable energy projects – it requires local socio-technical capacity to design, implement, and maintain renewable energy projects. Yet, notwithstanding advances in renewable energy technology there is limited understanding of the socio-technical capacity of northern and remote Indigenous communities to engage in energy transitions. Based on a review of energy transitions scholarship and northern contexts and informed by a workshop engaging northern and Indigenous community members from Canada and Alaska, this paper presents foundational pillars for assessing the socio-technical capacity needs of communities to pursue and sustain local energy transitions. These pillars are inter-dependent and emphasize the importance of local energy champions and inter-local energy networks to enable innovation and capacity building; community values that articulate immediate and longer-term goals for energy transition, including the social and economic opportunities to be realized by a more sustainable energy system; community knowledge of local energy resources, technologies, and opportunities, and embedded skills to support transitions; and the skills innovation to pursue and manage new energy systems, coupled with youth engagement as future community energy leaders. The proposed framework is intended to support the early stages of community energy transition planning. • Energy transition in remote communities involves more than building new projects. • Socio-technical capacity is critical to renewable energy security in remote off-grid areas. • Seven pillars are proposed to guide local capacity assessment for community energy. • Renewable energy in remote communities means self-sufficiency and self-determination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key to the necessary decarbonization of energy systems is the large-scale expansion of renewable energy sources and their integration into the electricity system. This integration is challenging because the feed-in from renewable energy sources is highly intermittent and largely dependent on uncontrollable factors such as weather patterns. To maintain grid stability, which refers to the required balance between demand and supply in the electricity system, flexibility is key. Large flexibility potentials can be found on the electricity demand side. However, current electricity market design in Europe, while providing major flexibility incentives, often neglects small-scale electricity consumers and distributed energy resources. We contribute to shape future electricity markets with consumers at the heart by developing six design principles for a consumer-centric electricity market design. We proceed by conducting a systematic literature review and evaluate the findings by expert interviews. Based on the developed design principles, we define a consumer-centric electricity market design as a set of market rules that align with the rules of other relevant energy markets and allow for the efficient matching of electricity demand and supply, with consumers having nondiscriminatory market access, being exposed to fine-grained price signals, being able to express their preferences, and having sufficient possibilities to protect themselves against unexpected price spikes. By actively incorporating consumers into electricity markets, we contribute to the overarching goal of integrating renewable energy sources while promoting energy justice, i.e., supporting a balanced mix of economic, political, environmental, and social interests. • We define six design principles for a consumer-centric electricity market design. • This electricity market design enables consumers to actively engage in market interactions and to react to price signals. • Consumers with small-scale assets can sell their own generated electricity on the market, i.e., the integration of DER. • Consumer-centricity enhances the system's ability to increase flexibility by adapting electricity consumption patterns. • Consumer-centric electricity market design contributes to different forms of energy justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores how a new concept, support for energy transition narratives, and other commonly applied social licence factors influence local acceptance of large-scale solar farms. Producing renewable electricity requires deploying more large-scale renewable technology infrastructure and support of host communities will be paramount. There is a dearth of studies that investigate a comprehensive set of social licence factors that influence local support of solar farms. Moreover, there is a lack of research considering how broader environmental worldview and beliefs about the energy transition influence local level support for renewable energy infrastructure. Survey data from a large, representative sample of the Australian population is analysed using a network modelling approach to identify conditional associations between variables of interest. Results reveal that general support for renewables in the energy transition had relatively strong direct and indirect associations with local acceptance in addition to social licence factors. Conversely, beliefs about the energy transition beyond the role for renewables (i.e., support for the role of natural gas, support for exporting fossil fuels and willingness to make trade-offs for a faster energy transition) had relatively weak effects on local acceptance and other social licence factors. The findings suggest that individual alignment with broader energy transition narratives explains local solar farm support beyond social licence factors. Future social licence research should consider the role of broader public narratives when investigating the factors that facilitate or impede local acceptance of renewable energy projects. [Display omitted] • Environment worldviews relate to beliefs about the role for renewables. • Broader beliefs about the role of renewables influence local solar farm acceptance. • Beliefs about the role of fossil fuels are weakly associated with local acceptance. • Network models identified conditional associations between social licence factors. • Survey with a large, representative Australian sample (n = 3103). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global imperative of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 to mitigate climate change has intensified the focus on the energy sector, given its significant contribution to GHG emissions. Like many other countries, Bolivia has set official goals for transitioning its energy sector. However, these still require robust planning and technical documentation to become a reality. To better understand the effects of the transition process, a long-term optimization model (OSeMOSYS) was developed for the period 2020–2050. This model analyses the evolution of energy consumption, emissions, and required investments under alternative conditions. Additionally, a dispatch optimization model (Dispa-SET) was used to validate the technical feasibility of these scenarios periodically. Linking results from both models helps address limitations in the long-term model and determine a margin of error in its simulations. This study explores three scenarios: Business as Usual (BAU), Mixed Policies (MP), incorporating policy-based measures, and Carbon Neutrality (CN), assuming a 95 % reduction of carbon emissions. Results suggest that adopting energy transition measures could reduce the system's overall cost in the long term. However, achieving this would require major investments, especially at the power generation level. Relative to BAU conditions, the MP scenario expects an 80 % reduction in emissions by 2050, but requiring discounted investments 3.5 times higher. The CN scenario would require even larger investments, with an average yearly undiscounted cost of 2700 million USD between 2020 and 2050, similar to 7 % of the current national GDP of Bolivia. These results highlight the significant challenge of transitioning Bolivia's energy sector. [Display omitted] • Alternative energy transition scenarios are explored for the future of Bolivia (2050). • The energy system is modeled with a soft-linking process between two open-source tools. • Explored transition pathways are expected to be more cost-effective in the long term. • To facilitate the transition large investments are expected at the power generation level. • Reducing 80 % of sectorial emissions would require investments 3.5 higher than a BAU scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agrivoltaics comprises solar energy generation and agricultural activities co-located to create multi-purpose agricultural solar energy systems. In 2021, the global agrivoltaics sector was valued at USD $3.6 billion and is projected to grow to USD $9.3 billion by 2031. Agrivoltaics projects have successfully attracted increasing investment and research demonstrating the technical, economic, and scientific rationale to advance agrivoltaics as a crucial technology to achieve net zero emissions goals. The legal framework enabling agrivoltaics development is at varying stages of maturity across different jurisdictions. This study provides the first socio-legal study of agrivoltaics development applying an energy justice framework. It comparatively analyses the mature agrivoltaics sectors, laws, and policies in Massachusetts (United States of America) and Japan in a functional comparative analysis with New South Wales (Australia) applying the three principal pillars of energy justice; recognition, procedural, and distributive justice. This study demonstrates how energy justice can generate a framework for regulatory reform. Such reform can facilitate the expansion of agrivoltaics and unlock the full potential of co-locating of solar energy and agriculture. [Display omitted] • Agrivoltaics refers to co-location of solar energy on agricultural land. • Agrivoltaics will benefit from the application of energy justice. • Three key functions applicable to agrivoltaics are analysed. • Justice-driven framework can activate the full potential of agrivoltaics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To mitigate climate change a renewable energy transition is needed. Existing power systems will need to be redesigned to balance variable renewable energy production with variable energy demand. We investigate the meteorological sensitivity of a highly-renewable European energy system using large ensemble simulations from two global climate models. Based on 3 × 2000 years of simulated weather conditions, daily wind and solar energy yields, and energy demand are calculated. From this data, 1-, 7- and 14-days events of extreme low renewable energy production and extreme high energy shortfall are selected. Energy shortfall is defined as the residual load, i.e. demand minus renewable production. 1-day low energy production days are characterised by large-scale high pressure systems over central Europe, with lower than normal wind speeds. These events typically occur in winter when solar energy is limited due to short day lengths. Situations of atmospheric blocking lead to long lasting periods of low energy production, such 7- and 14-days low production events peak late summer. High energy shortfall events occur due to comparable high pressure systems though now combined with below normal temperatures, driving up energy demand. In contrast to the low energy production events, 1-, 7- and 14-days high shortfall events all occur mid-winter, locked to the coldest months of the year. A spatial redistribution of wind turbines and solar panels cannot prevent these high-impact events, options to import renewable energy from remote locations during these events are limited. Projected changes due to climate change are substantially smaller than interannual variability. Future power systems with large penetration of variable renewable energy must be designed with these events in mind. • Meteorological sensitivity of a highly-renewable European power system. • Variability of weather leads to societal risk related to future energy security. • Two types of extremes: low energy production & high energy shortfall (1, 7 & 14-days). • Wind droughts and winter cold pose threats to a secure and continuous energy supply. • Large ensemble simulations provide new ways to investigate extreme impact events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent, consistent accounting of climate-related energy targets is a fundamental building block to the architecture of international climate agreements. Many of these climate targets focus on the transition of the energy system which has led to the development of various energy transition scenarios. Now that fossil resources are being replaced by non-combustible and renewable energy sources a re-assessment of the applicability of the current set of metrics on which these energy scenarios are based is necessary. Now that energy derived from renewable and non-combustible resources with abundant availability but limited instantaneous availability becomes more prominent the ongoing electrification of the energy system combined with the decarbonisation of the electricity system has caused the current set of energy scenario metrics to become ambiguous. More specifically we show that Total Primary Energy (TPE) and its related indicators, Energy Efficiency (EE), Energy Intensity (EI) as well as the key metric Electricity Generation Capacity (EGC) have become unrepresentative, potentially misleading and for a large part irrelevant. This is problematic as these metrics steer climate policy and investment decisions based on statistical artefacts rather than valid representation of the energy system. This study concludes with a set of requirements on energy scenarios to overcome these problems that will lead energy scenarios to focus on Total Final Consumption within a mix of related energy metrics. • Decarbonisation of the energy system has caused energy scenario metrics to become ambiguous. • We show that TPE and EGC have become potentially misleading and for a large part irrelevant. • This is problematic as these metrics steer policy and investments based on statistical artefacts. • We conclude with a set of requirements that will lead scenarios to focus on Total Final Consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This article provides a review of the latest status and policy framework for wind energy in Africa. In addition, it takes a close look at Kenya, which is one of the most successful African countries in terms of attracting renewable energy (RE) investments, including the largest wind farm on the continent. Globally, wind energy development needs strong government policy. Following numerous bilateral and multilateral efforts, by 2016, the majority of African countries had defined RE supporting policies, with nearly half also having defined their wind energy targets. However, the review of such policies on the continent as a whole, as well as a closer examination of the situation in Kenya, indicate that established supportive policies and fiscal incentives remain important for the development of wind energy on the African continent but are not the decisive factors. It also suggests that international private participation in energy generation and renewable/wind energy expansion in Africa is critical and expected to increase. Consequently, it may be challenging to ensure that African countries capitalise on their inherent advantage in terms of clean energy during their energy transition processes. Highlights • Defined government policy and target not sufficient to promote wind energy in Africa. • Africa's total installed wind capacity is 4370 MW(2017)–far from its full potential. • International private participation critical in wind energy expansion in Kenya. • Kenya's clean energy transition is about energy modernisation and expansion. • Large-scale wind energy projects have an additional effect on Kenya's development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Modern society is aware of the importance of energy, as a fundamental resource for evolution, quality of life and sustainability. It thus dedicates important efforts to take advantage of existing energy sources. Countries have different and unique energy performances depending on the combination of resources, policies, and structures created to exploit them. Some are successful in their attempt to optimize their energy resources while others are not. This is the case of Venezuela, which faces a contradictory energy performance. Despite its substantial available renewable and non-renewable energy resources, it presents a severe energy crisis. This crisis manifests itself in frequent and extended energy blackouts and electricity services alterations, which affect all society. With the aim to propose some solutions, the authors make an attempt to identify the origin of the Venezuelan energy crisis, unexplainable in a country which two decades ago was an indisputable world energy leader. The authors evaluate the relationship among energy and sustainability, the renewable potential existing in Venezuela, as well as some new data and key insights regarding its energy framework. Special reference is made to infrastructure energy projects in Venezuela. The discussion leads to the identification of the structural problems that cause such a crisis and include some recommendations. The authors propose a thorough study of this case in order to consider it as an international reference and to avoid the repetition of similar cases in the future. Finally, an entirely new orientation of the Venezuelan energy framework and the strategies that include the revision of the current energy policies and the management of this sector are proposed. Such proposals are presented to help Venezuela in its transition to a new energy stage in which renewable energy, knowledge and sustainable criteria become the fundamental resources to address the country on its path to sustainability. Highlights • The energy imbalance in Venezuela and the effects on the population. • Lack of energy policy programs to introduce renewable energies. • Recommendations to implement renewable energy projects. • Need for an energy transition towards sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The residential sector has a major role to play in the transition to green energy. The heating and cooling of buildings represents 40% of global energy consumption, while vast energy savings potential remains largely unexploited. Given the low turnover of housing stock and ambitious emission reduction targets, most of this potential will require retrofitting existing buildings. In this study, we investigate how to best take advantage of retrofits in the residential sector of Quebec (Canada) using environmental and economic criteria. Within the province, heating is mainly powered by electricity from renewable sources. We propose an approach based on a consequential life cycle assessment that focuses on marginal impacts combined with "consequential life cycle costing." Seven alternatives using different heating systems and building envelopes are compared to a reference case, which consists of a typical detached house heated with electric baseboards. This approach permits an assessment of cost-efficiency and sustainable technological solutions. Our results show that the amount of energy saved by retrofits (especially for air source heat pumps with and without building envelop improvements) generates environmental and economic benefits. Furthermore, if the saved electricity is exported to replace natural gas, then the local electricity savings is quite beneficial. These results provide key new insights on the energy policies affecting the building sector, especially for regions in cold climates such as Quebec. Highlights • A consequential environmental and economic life cycle analysis is performed. • Different retrofit scenarios in the residential sector are compared. • Retrofits show a reduction of environmental impacts for all electricity sources. • Air-pumps, with and without building envelope improvements, are good options. • A retrofit policy could have sizeable consequences on the energy savings for Quebec. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Alternative energy technologies such as biogas are being promoted, but despite the significant potential and efforts to implement these technologies, only small numbers of households have succeeded in the transition towards these alternative energy sources. Moreover, sustainability and the functionality of alternative energy technologies remain unknown. The study aims to explore the socioeconomic constraints in the adoption and diffusion of biogas as alternative fuel for cooking in households in rural Pakistan and access the impact of biogas technology adoption on income, crop productivity and fuel consumption and drudgery. The study has also scrutinized the factors affecting the continuity of the biogas plants. Our analysis adds to the limited literature of adoption of biogas and the transition towards alternative fuel sources in the Global South. A multistage sampling procedure was used to collect data from 630 biogas adopters and non-adopters from three districts of Punjab. The empirical results from logit model and propensity score matching approach indicate that the older, wealthy farmers are more likely to adopt biogas technology. Cook's education, structure of house, location of kitchen and access to credit institutions also play positive role in this process. Poor operational methods, lack of maintenance and training facilities were the main reasons for the functional failure of existing plants and reason for the discontinuation. Moreover, biogas adoption has positive and significant impact on income and crop revenues and has negative impact on fuelwood expenditures and collection time. Due to the multidimensional nature of the problem, a comprehensive remedial approach addressing the socio-technical factors identified in the study and considering all stakeholders' cooperation could solve the existing lock-in situation in the ongoing implementation of biogas production and the transition towards alternative fuel sources. Highlights • Socio-economic and infrastructural drivers behind biogas adoption. • Biogas energy offers hope to individuals and society to cope up with financial and energy crisis. • Biogas technology offers off grid rural household a clean and affordable solution in Pakistan. • Technological efficiency is complementary to the continuation of the diffusion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is large consensus regarding the significance of flexibility in power systems, there exists significant disparity in the definitions and models employed to describe flexibility. To structure existing flexibility descriptions, this work classifies the mathematical principles underlying the flexibility models and finds quality metrics, machine learning models, and flexibility envelopes to be the main higher-order classes, with envelopes being the most popular one. It finds that there is a significant degree of mathematical incompatibility among different flexibility models, even within the same class. This is primarily due to the utilization of distinct flexibility metrics. To address the ambiguities in flexibility definitions and terminology, this paper introduces FLEXBLOX, a formal flexibility taxonomy. FLEXBLOX encompasses three core building blocks: a power system's flexibility requirements, the flexibility potentials provided by flexibility resources, and flexibility mediators that facilitate between the requirements and the potentials. An analysis of 49 flexibility models shows that three of them cover both flexibility requirements and potentials. However, only one of the three approaches also considers a flexibility mediator between them. Two models are generic enough to describe the flexibility potential of diverse flexibility resources, but certain resource characteristics are often excluded. To date, there is no flexibility model that addresses all three flexibility building blocks of the FLEXBLOX taxonomy coherently. This leaves room for future research directions that are suggested in this work. • Flexibility taxonomy based on the concepts of flexibility requirements and potentials. • Categorization of existing flexibility concepts to structure the research area. • Classification scheme for flexibility models based on mathematical principles. • Analysis of 49 flexibility models with regard to the flexibility taxonomy. • Discussion of future research directions in formal flexibility modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many archipelagos rely on imports of diesel to produce most of the electricity they consume. That results in a high price for electricity and risk of fuel spills. Currently, many islands worldwide are facing the challenge of integrating local renewable energy sources into their electricity grids. This work conducts a review of energy transition for islands and then focuses on three case studies: Galápagos, Noronha and Príncipe. It was found that the demand for energy at these locations will continue to grow at a high rate, pushed by the growth of tourism and population. In the three cases, large PV solar projects are planned for the coming years and should supply a large share of that demand. PV solar stands out as the most economically viable option for generating electricity, with a LCOE much lower than diesel (between 44% and 80% lower). Galápagos and Noronha are installing battery storage facilities to integrate the supply of energy from renewable sources. In addition, they are fostering energy efficiency and the progressive adoption of electric vehicles. Príncipe is at a much earlier stage: the grid needs substantial investment and plans for electric mobility are still incipient. Based on this research, it is strongly recommended to (1) incentivize energy efficiency, (2) provide training in the area of renewable energy to local workers, and (3) provide incentives to the residential and commercial sectors, particularly hotels, to foster contribution to the energy supply through the installation of PV solar and solar hot water heating on rooftops. • Demand for energy in most islands is rising due to tourism and population growth. • Many islands are committed to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. • The studied cases are projected to achieve 50% generation from solar energy by 2030. • This would reduce their dependency on diesel imports and the risks of fuel spills. • Energy efficiency and electrical mobility initiatives on islands are also reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the current context of growing demand for electricity, the dissemination of distributed energy resources, and increased deregulation of the electricity market, consumers are expected to assume an increasingly active behavior in managing their consumption, which places the Brazilian electricity sector at the forefront of a new operational and planning paradigm. Because the demand-side management can be a great ally in overcoming such challenges, the present study seeks to assist in these new challenges by conducting a literature review, accompanied by a critical analysis of Brazilian experiences with demand-side management actions such as daylight saving time, energy efficiency programs, time-of-use tariffs, distributed micro and mini generation, tariff flags, pilot demand response programs, voluntary demand reduction programs, structural demand response programs, and hourly electricity prices. In addition, the current regulatory framework of the Brazilian electricity sector in the context of the energy transition is presented and discussed. The results of this study clearly indicate that Brazil has made important and necessary recent advances in updating its regulatory framework in line with the energy transition process. Undoubtedly, such efforts will elevate demand-side management to an increasingly strategic level in the planning and operation of the country's electrical networks. However, it was found that route corrections must be made aimed at the adequate integration of distributed energy resources, especially regarding the need to improve the tariff schemes applied to the low-voltage consumers. Experimental projects related to the application of new tariffs, which were recently approved by the electricity sector regulator, are promising. • History, results, and analysis of DSM programs in Brazil are discussed. • The state-of-the-art on the modernization of the Brazilian electricity sector is presented. • Analysis of the challenges of integrating distributed energy resources in Brazil. • Suggestions for regulatory modernization to increase and improve the DSM in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable electricity-based fuels and chemicals are expected to play an ever-growing role in future sustainable energy systems. e-Fuels and e-chemicals are crucial for the defossilisation of hard-to-abate segments in long-distance aviation and marine, as well as industrial feedstocks. This study evaluates the role of e-fuels and e-chemicals in a global energy system transition from 2030 to 2050 by analysing the demand for these fuels, potential for production, and costs. Furthermore, the global trading potential of e-fuels and corresponding benefits are assessed. The wide availability of renewable resources enables the diversification of energy markets compared to the current concentrated fossil fuels trade, leading to lower volumes of traded e-products than currently traded volumes of fossil fuels. South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Middle East and North Africa regions emerge as important exporters of e-fuels and e-chemicals. This study estimates that 23–32% of the total demand will be traded, depending on the type of e-fuel and e-chemical. Results indicate that global trade will reduce the global average levelised cost of e-fuels and e-chemicals by 4.4–6.8% in 2050, with some regions yielding a reduction of up to 38% compared to a self-supply scenario. Globally, the trading of e-fuels and e-chemicals is estimated to reduce total energy costs by 136 b€ annually. The risk of supply disruptions to importers can be mitigated with diversified portfolio strategies combining different exporting regions. Global trade benefits both importers, as the costs of e-fuels and e-chemicals are reduced, and exporters that benefit from additional income, employment, and tax revenues. [Display omitted] • Global trade reduces average levelised cost of e-fuels by 4.4–6.8% in 2050. • Some regions see cost reductions of up to 38% compared to self-supply. • Shares of traded e-fuels and e-chemicals are lower in the future than today. • Sunbelt regions emerge as important exporters of e-fuels and e-chemicals. • Importers benefit from a more diversified portfolio of exporters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seasonal storage of natural gas is a recognized and reliable technology in the energy industry. Salt caverns are particularly suitable for storing alternative gaseous fuels such as hydrogen. Germany has a great technical potential for expanding its cavern storage capacity, which exceeds the expected demand for hydrogen many times. Regarding the projected long-term decline in natural gas use, the question arises as to whether existing caverns can meet future storage requirements. To this end, a techno-economic model is presented to meet electricity and hydrogen demand in a cost-optimal solution. This analysis focused on the utilization of hydrogen storage in terms of energy throughput and maximum storage capacity. To link the outcome of economic dispatch to the literature, the fundamental assumptions are based on comprehensive capacity expansion models. This study advances the state of the art by evaluating key input parameters of the future energy system. By conducting 192 model runs, the analysis revealed the range of uncertainty in terms of storage use. This indicates a strong dependence of the systemic and economic value of hydrogen storage on boundary conditions such as a consideration of dark doldrums, a flexible hydrogen demand profile, hydrogen import restrictions and a larger electrolyzer capacity. The uncertainty ranged from 0 to 67 TWh H2 for the storage capacity, with an average of 36.6 TWh H2 across all scenarios, and from 0 to 190 TWh H2 for the annual energy throughput. These results are significant for gas storage operators who derive transformation strategies and policymakers evaluating financial funding requirements. [Display omitted] • Design of a bottom-up model for the electricity and hydrogen sectors for the analysis of net zero scenarios. • Economic dispatch of competing flexibility options. • Quantification of uncertainty regarding large-scale hydrogen storage in the German energy system for 2045. • Sensitivity analysis of six determining factors like hydrogen demand, imports and electrolyzer capacity. • Evaluation of 192 model runs in terms of energy throughput and state-of-charge of hydrogen storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns regarding the negative impact of fossil fuels on the environment have led to a global shift towards sustainable energy systems. This study reviewed recent studies on renewable energy composition and electrification abatement in 26 future scenarios of Canada. There is a trend to move from a comprehensive forecasting analysis of multiple energy sectors to a detailed transition analysis of individual sectors, providing more precise recommendations for achieving emission targets. In 2050, the shares of hydropower and nuclear power fluctuate little between scenarios, accounting for about 60% and 20%, respectively. The balance between variable renewables and natural gas remains unclear to fill the gap from the replacement of coal-fired power by 2030. The capacity demand for solar and wind under the 2050 GHG-100% scenario is doubled compared to the results of the 2050 existing policy scenario, which is beyond what is currently planned by government policies. This increased demand for renewable energy sources requires inter-provincial cooperation in electricity planning for countries with mismatches between renewable energy potential and high energy consumption areas. The result highlights the insufficient carbon price signal for coal, which is only 1/7 of that in the road transport sector, emphasizing the need for stronger carbon pricing policies to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement. This study provides valuable insights into the prospects of renewable energy and electrification abatement in Canada, highlighting the need for inter-provincial cooperation, precise transition analysis, and effective carbon pricing policies. [Display omitted] • Energy transition scenario analysis moves from multiple to individual sectors. • The share of hydro power and nuclear power fluctuates modestly in scenarios. • The future demand for solar and wind energy capacity has been underestimated. • The electrification abatements based on renewable energy were assessed. • Compared to the other sectors, the coal sector needs an effective carbon pricing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon pricing is expected to meet COP26 targets and carbon neutrality goals by promoting energy transition. However, the role of carbon pricing in energy transition has been challenged largely because of limited empirical evidence. Most empirical studies draw on samples with low-to-moderate carbon prices, which might underestimate the potential impact of carbon pricing with much higher prices. Accordingly, this study takes energy prices as proxies for carbon prices to estimate the price elasticity of energy consumption. It employs a mapping relationship between carbon and energy prices to conduct simulations under various carbon price scenarios. Using China's industry as an example, the following main findings were obtained. First, the price elasticities of energy consumption are heterogeneous across sectors, implying that the role of carbon pricing may be underestimated if sector heterogeneity is not considered. Second, carbon pricing could considerably decrease energy consumption, particularly in high-energy-consuming sectors, such as ferrous metals, petroleum processing, chemicals, non-metal products, as well as power and heat. Third, by adopting China's Emissions Trading Scheme, the eight planned covered sectors could achieve reductions of 8% or 19% in energy consumption with carbon prices set at 100 or 300 Yuan/tCO2, respectively, which would significantly contribute to the phasedown of coal. Therefore, carbon pricing could play an important role in achieving energy transition in the post-COP26 era. • The effectiveness of carbon pricing on energy transition in the post-COP26 era are studied. • Carbon pricing could generate a considerable decrease in energy consumption. • Heterogeneous price elasticities avoid underestimation of energy conservation. • China's ETS could reduce energy consumption by 19% with a carbon price of 300 Yuan/tCO2. • China's ETS would also significantly contribute to the phasedown of coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the model DIETER, introduced in a companion paper, to analyze the role of power storage in systems with high shares of variable renewable energy sources. The model captures multiple system values of power storage related to arbitrage, capacity, and reserve provision. We apply the model to a greenfield setting that is loosely calibrated to the German power system, but may be considered as a more generic case of a thermal power system with increasing shares of variable renewables. In a baseline scenario, we find that power storage requirements remain moderate up to a renewable share of around 80%, as other options on both the supply and demand side may also offer flexibility at low cost. Yet storage plays an important role in the provision of reserves. If the renewable share further increases to 100%, the need for power storage grows substantially. As long-run parameter assumptions are highly uncertain, we carry out a range of sensitivity analyses. As a general finding, storage requirements strongly depend on the costs and availabilities of other flexibility options, particularly regarding flexible power generation from biomass. We conclude that power storage becomes an increasingly important element of a transition toward a fully renewable-based power system, and gains further relevance if other potential sources of flexibility are limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed energy systems (DESs) on a local scale constitute a promising niche to leverage the provision of renewable energy. DESs such as micro-cogeneration and multi-energy hubs integrate renewable energy sources, small-scale combined heat/power production, various energy storage methods, and active demand-side management. Research on adopting these systems within existing neighborhood contexts remains scarce, however, particularly on the role of local actors such as local energy utilities, ownership, and the spatial scale of implementation for accelerating the adoption of DESs. In this study, we conducted a systematic review of the relevant scientific literature on the adoption and social acceptance of DESs, followed by a series of semi-structured interviews with representatives of DES pilot implementations. Our findings indicate that local co-ownership and awareness of local benefits tend to improve the acceptance of distributed energy infrastructures. The study found that established energy actors such as energy utilities and grid operators currently test DESs on a local scale in terms of the systems' technical and financial feasibilities. The study also identified major regulatory and structural barriers to DES market adoption that must be overcome to accelerate the current rate of niche development; the study thus contributes to developing DES adoption strategies. We provide future research trajectories that would address the role of spatial proximity and deployment models to attain a more dynamic understanding of the social acceptance of new energy technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil fuel consumption, luxurious lifestyles, population and economic growths are drivers of climate change. Rampant rise in Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions drives the big wheel of climate change which affects human societies, animal habitats and woodlands by flash floods, glacial melts, acidic rains, droughts, famines, wildfires, epidemics, heat and cold waves. South Asia is one of the most severely affected regions on the planet due to its demographics. The per capita impact of climate change on the millions of Pakistanis is very high compared to their diminutive per capita share of global GHG emissions. Environmental issues of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries include deforestation, air pollution, desertification, glacial melts, sea level rise, water contamination and loss of biodiversity. Pakistan is among the top ten countries worst hit by climate change, where native populations of lions, leopards, dolphins, tortoise and vultures face extinction threat. Acacia and rosewood tree forests in Sindh, Punjab and Pak-Afghan precincts have already dried by dieback disease during 1998–2005. Hundreds of people succumb to death annually by heat waves in South during summer and cold waves in North during winter. Climate change is a global phenomenon; nevertheless, higher GHG emissions first affect local and regional territories and later impact worldwide. Pakistan's CO 2 emissions are greater than least developed SAARC countries but much lower than the nearby Himalayan slope countries. This paper reports impact of CO 2 emissions on society, forests, crops and wildlife in Pakistan recounting adaptation and mitigation strategies in SAARC countries. We present simulation results for a future super smart grid connecting Central Asian States (CAS) to SAARC countries for bilateral electricity trade, progress in carbon capture and storage technologies in SAARC countries, and original research on utilizing CO 2 (R744) for water heating in extremely cold regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, we review model-based analyses that explore the role of power storage in energy systems with high shares of variable renewables. Second, we introduce a new model that is specifically designed for exploring long-term storage requirements. The literature survey focuses on recent contributions in the peer-reviewed energy economics and engineering literature. We compare key characteristics of the different models, provide an overview of model applications, and summarize key findings on power storage requirements. We also evaluate which system values of storage are covered by respective model analyses. Based on the literature survey, we identify common findings and key model features required for a sound assessment of future storage requirements. In order to raise complementary insights, we introduce DIETER, a new dispatch and investment model. The model contributes to the literature by capturing multiple system values of power storage related to arbitrage, capacity, and reserve provision. Further, the model is designed as an open-source tool that can be freely used and modified. Results of a first application of the new model are presented in a companion paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy transition, green investment, and climate governance are core agendas of the COP26 framework. Therefore, this research explores the influence of energy transition and environmental governance by controlling the effects of renewable energy investments and human development in 37 IEA economies from 2010 to 2020. Notably, green growth and COP26 indicators are endogenous and may offer heterogeneous impacts subject to their implementation levels. Therefore, this study applies the dynamic panel threshold model (DPTM) to integrate threshold and endogenous effects of energy transition and environmental governance on green growth. Initially, this study constructed a composite energy transition index (ETI) using principal component analysis and applied DPTM to estimate threshold parameters. The results exhibit that ETI leads to lower green growth for those countries where its value is less than the threshold of 0.485. However, it turns highly significant and positive if ETI exceeds the threshold value. Moreover, environmental regulation shows a significant and positive influence on green growth; nevertheless, the marginal contribution towards green growth is more substantial if the environmental regulation score is higher than 0.604. Likewise, the moderating effect of ETI and environmental regulations report a more pronounced impact in stimulating green growth. Manifestly, the lagged effects of ETI and environmental regulations are more substantial and positive, which implies that a certain time lag is required to materialize the full benefits of green growth. These results suggest inclusive and long-term policy for energy transition and governance is imperative to achieve green growth agenda. • Drivers of green growth (GG) are evaluated in COP26 framework. • Dynamic panel threshold model is employed on 37 IEA economies. • Energy transition (ETI) contributes to GG when it exceeds a certain threshold. • Environmental governance compliments the influence of ETI on GG. • Lag effects of ETI and environmental governance are more pronounced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a global challenge. Innovative agrivoltaic systems that combine agriculture and solar energy production is one set of the solutions to reduce these emissions. While circularity is a pressing issue in agriculture and landscape experience in solar energy production, these issues have received little attention in relationship to agrivoltaics. This study examines aspects of circularity and landscape experience in built agrivoltaic projects reported in scientific literature and recently constructed agrivoltaic projects in the Netherlands. Understanding circularity and landscape experience in agrivoltaics contributes to enabling agriculture transitions and increasing public acceptance. Peer-reviewed literature was used to examine which aspects of circularity and landscape experience were addressed in 16 international agrivoltaics cases. Critical performance indicators were used for circularity and spatial properties for landscape experience. Furthermore, a systematic analysis of ten Dutch agrivoltaic cases was conducted by examining their visibility, accessibility, patch configuration and agricultural land-use beneath the agrivoltaic system. The results show that contribution to regional economy and vitality of the rural area is the most frequently mentioned circularity indicator, which is found in 82% of the international cases and 60% of the Dutch cases. Low visibility and low accessibility of agrivoltaic systems were found in the majority of Dutch agrivoltaic cases. Limited attention to landscape experience was found in the studied literature. This study provides valuable recommendations for research, farmers and policy makers for advancing transitions towards circular agrivoltaic power plants that pay more attention to landscape experience. • Considerations of circularity and landscape experience are studied for agrivoltaics. • The most found circularity aspect is contribution to regional economy and vitality. • Dutch agrivoltaic cases showed relatively low visibility and are mostly inaccessible. • There is limited attention to landscape experience in literature on agrivoltaics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy communities can play a key role to move towxards a low-carbon and decentralized energy system with higher penetration of renewable energies, offering new opportunities for citizens to actively participate in the energy transition. However, the term energy community is practically exclusively addressed in literature as photovoltaic systems shared by several users to cover their electricity needs. The present work describes the georeferenced modelling and assessment of potential domestic hot water energy communities based on heat pumps and photovoltaic energy communities in 150 residential buildings in a representative Mediterranean city. The main objective is to widen the concept of energy communities and to quantify their potential. The aggregated economic and emission savings of domestic hot water in the district can reach up to 85% and 73% respectively for heat pumps, and 22% and 23% respectively with photovoltaic systems. The analysis shows that domestic hot water energy communities should be prioritized if the objective of the decision-maker is to reduce the CO 2 emissions. However, photovoltaics energy communities reach higher economic savings. Combining the two energy communities could help reach the Fit for 55 package objectives for 2030, with emission savings up to 56%. The results show that 80% of emission savings can be achieved by acting only on 35% of the buildings. • DHW and PV energy communities' assessment in a residential Mediterranean district. • GIS-based methodology and TRNSYS dynamic energy simulations. • Higher emissions savings are obtained with DHW and higher economic with PV case. • DHW + PV communities could reduce the district emissions and costs up to 55% and 47%. • 80% of emission savings are achieved with acting on only 35% of the buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in fully decarbonizing worldwide energy systems requires abandoning traditional generation expansion planning in favour of other flexibility-enabling energy system planning tools allowing the integration of energy storage and sector coupling. Therefore, this paper proposes a mixed-integer linear programming formulation focused on enabling flexibility provision on integrated energy systems targeting independent sizing of power and energy capacities for simultaneous generation and storage expansion planning. The optimization problem minimizes investment, maintenance, operation and emissions costs over a 20 year horizon with hourly resolution. In this context, islands represent suitable study cases for the energy transition due to their exceptional renewable availability, and fast-paced development; despite being regions with extreme external dependence and isolation. In particular, the island of Santiago, Cape Verde is selected as study case given its existing targets regarding reaching 50 and 100% renewable shares in 2030 and 2040, its data availability, and the extreme seasonal variation in wind and solar resources. Four scenarios are considered. The first and second dismiss flexibility: business as usual (BAU), and another one aligned with the government goals (Green). Then, the other two exploit it: one equivalent to Green, FlexG, and a last one finding the Optimal. In addition, three energy demand growth levels are considered in order to reduce uncertainty, corresponding to 1, 3 and 5%. Last, a sensitivity analysis with three additional scenarios is performed to provide a thorough view of Cape Verde's energy future. The results highlight the importance of flexibility exploitation which provides up to 85% savings and allows to decarbonize other sectors via electrification. • Solar and hydro pumped storage drive the transition. • Wind power's role increases in hydrogen intensive and surface constraint scenarios. • Integrating flexibility into generation expansion planning halves power needs. • The current paradigm is the most expensive option, doubling emissions in 20 years. • The Optimal configuration achieves 96% renewable penetration. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy scenarios are often used to investigate various possible energy futures and reduce the uncertainty that surrounds energy transition. However, scenario construction lacks consistent and adequate methodological standards, resulting in limited insight into the actual bandwidth covered by current energy scenarios and whether various perspectives on future energy development pathways are all adequately represented. Our research deployed a non-mathematical clustering approach to identify general trends in future energy scenarios and assess the role of Cornucopian and Malthusian oriented world views therein. We found that the futures communicated in quantified future energy scenarios overlap to a large extent and represent only a narrow bandwidth of moderate world views. We argue that the underrepresentation of extreme representations of world views and environmental discourses in energy scenarios skews the overall outlook on possible energy futures. This implies that scenario-informed policy design and decision-making risks bias towards the status-quo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the impact of government support and resource endowment (geographical location, climatic conditions, natural resource reserves) on regional energy transitions in China. Thirty regions in China were taken as the study areas, and data samples were selected from 2007 to 2020. The system Generalized method of moments model was employed to outline the path for regional energy transition. The conclusions are as follows. (1) Resource endowment at the national level inhibits energy transition, and the resource endowment in the eastern, central and western regions of China inhibits energy transition. The central region has the strongest inhibitory effect, and the eastern region has the weakest. (2) Policy support can significantly promote energy transition, with the best effects in the central region and the weakest effects in the east. (3) Technological innovation has significantly promoted energy transformation; however, the impact on the western region is not significant. The urbanization level in the eastern region can promote the energy transformation, yet the urbanization level in the central and western regions and the whole country inhibits the energy transformation. Moreover, the tertiary industry will stimulate the energy transformation, and the stimulating effect gradually weakens from east to west. Finally, foreign direct investmentcan promote the energy transition, and the promotion effect of the central region is better than that of the east and west. The research in thiswork provides an important theoretical reference for realizing China's energy transition. Results of government support and resource endowment on energy transition. [Display omitted] • Resource endowment affect energy transition difference in different regions. • Policy support can reduce traditional fossil energy consumption in all regions. • GMM model is used to explore the relationships between variables. • Policy support for regional energy transformation are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While cooperative organizations created with the aim to initiate, develop, and operate renewable electricity (RE) projects have received attention for their roles in the transition to a sustainable energy system, the disparities in the number of RE cooperative projects among countries suggest that institutional contexts may have an impact on their deployment. In order to systematically identify the systemic factors that impact their deployment, we use an established framework, considering the strengths and weaknesses in market structure, infrastructures, institutions, interactions, and capabilities. We compare the deployment context in Germany, France, and Sweden in order to understand which systemic factors have an impact and how they affect RE cooperative projects. Based on a review of the literature and qualitative interviews with experts in RE cooperatives, it appears that, although RE cooperative projects share some obstacles with most new entrants of RE, they are particularly exposed to a lack of financial infrastructure, a lack of knowledge and interactions, and problems related to a lack of regulatory frameworks facilitating their deployment. Results also show that systemic factors are complementary and dependent on each other: lowering one barrier lowers other barriers, and some obstacles strengthen other obstacles. Drawing on the comparison among Germany, France, and Sweden, we highlight some interesting practices that could be used in the coordination and alignment of systemic conditions for the deployment of RE cooperative projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To keep temperature rise well below 2 °C, production systems should be synthesised in a way that are regenerative, climate-resilient, and equitable, and to maintain biodiversity to preserve life and meet future human needs with the integrity of nature. In line with this approach, this paper presents a stepwise transition to a regenerative energy system in the EU by 2050, with the aim of going beyond carbon neutrality and achieving annual net negative emissions. A mixed-integer linear programming model is developed with the goal of maximising the Sustainability Net Present Value while achieving a balanced solution between all the three basic sustainability pillars. In order to obtain a regenerative system design, the annual self-sequestration of CO 2 by the Earth was evaluated based on the amount of CO 2 released into the atmosphere and the change in atmospheric CO 2 concentration. The impact of different CO 2 emission reduction scenarios on the atmospheric CO 2 concentration until 2050 was evaluated. The results show that carbon neutrality at the global level could be achieved by 2050 with a 1.63% annual reduction in anthropogenic CO 2 emissions. Moreover, the results indicate that if carbon emission neutrality is achieved at the global level in 2050, it could be achieved in the EU as early as 2039, given the Earth's self-sequestration capacity. To go beyond carbon emissions neutrality at the EU level, electricity demand is expected to nearly double, particularly due to the electrification of road transport, the use of heat pumps for heating residential and the tertiary sectors, 6G and IoT widespread out etc. • A critical review of sustainable heat production technologies. • A MILP model to achieve carbon emissions neutrality or negative net emissions in the EU by 2050. • Cross-sectoral synthesis of regenerative energy systems – beyond sustainability. • Assessment and prediction of Earth's self-sequestration in the synthesis of regenerative energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]