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The use of the European Union cooperation mechanisms for concentrated solar power (CSP) projects could kill two birds with one stone. First, CSP electricity can cover demand when variable renewables cannot generate. Second, CSP projects deployed under the cooperation mechanisms could contribute to a European-wide optimization of resource use and grid management. This paper analyzes whether the dispatchable nature of CSP is a main driver to the use of the cooperation mechanism for this technology. Based on an expert elicitation and a survey to different types of stakeholders, our results show that, indeed, dispatchability will be the main driver to the use of the cooperation mechanisms for CSP projects in the future. The findings suggest that two types of policy interventions will be required to encourage the use of these mechanisms for CSP. Some policy measures should be directed at the technology itself, whereas other policies should target the cooperation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate whether political ideology has an observable effect on decarbonization ambition, renewable power aims, and preferences for power system balancing technologies in four European countries. Based on the Energy Logics framework, we identify ideologically different transition strategies (state-centered, market-centered, grassroots-centered) contained in government policies and opposition party programs valid in 2019. We compare these policies and programs with citizen poll data. We find that ideology has a small effect: governments and political parties across the spectrum have similar, and relatively ambitious, decarbonization and renewables targets. This mirrors citizens' strong support for ambitious action regardless of their ideological self-description. However, whereas political positions on phasing out fossil fuel power are clear across the policy space, positions on phasing in new flexibility options to balance intermittent renewables are vague or non-existent. As parties and citizens agree on strong climate and renewable power aims, the policy ambition is likely to remain high, even if governments change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Analysis of 12 decarbonisation scenarios via the electrification of space heating. • Innovative modelling approach that combines two highly detailed models. • Building stock and upstream supply sector of whole EU are covered. • Electrification via heat pumps leads to 11% lower system costs compared to hydrogen. • Heat pumps are cost-efficient in decentralised and in district heating systems. This paper analyses different levels and means of the electrification of space and hot water heating using an explorative modelling approach. The analysis provides guidance to the ongoing discussion on favourable pathways for heating buildings and the role of secondary energy carriers such as hydrogen or synthetic fuels. In total, 12 different scenarios were modelled with decarbonisation pathways until 2050, which cover all 27 member states of the European Union. Two highly detailed optimisation models were combined to cover the building stock and the upstream energy supply sector. The analysis shows that decarbonisation pathways for space and water heating based on large shares of heat pumps have at least 11% lower system costs in 2050 than pathways with large shares of hydrogen or synthetic fuels. This translates into system cost savings of around €70 bn. Heat pumps are cost-efficient in decentralised systems and in centralised district heating systems. Hence, heat pumps should be the favoured option to achieve a cost-optimal solution for heating buildings. Accordingly, the paper makes a novel and significant contribution to understanding suitable and cost-efficient decarbonisation pathways for space and hot water heating via electrification. The results of the paper can provide robust guidance for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to empirically identify and rank the drivers and barriers to the deployment of concentrated solar power (CSP) in the EU in the past and the future at two different levels of analysis: System/grid or macro level and project/investment or micro level. An expert elicitation and an investors' survey were carried out for this purpose. The results differ across the two levels (experts and investors), time frames and CSP designs. Specifically, deployment support, policy framework conditions and a proven technology have been major drivers of CSP deployment in the past, according to the expert elicitation. Dispatchability is regarded as the main future driver of the technology, followed by policy framework conditions and complementarity with PV. The survey of investors highlights the relevance of dispatchability, key technology and investors' features as drivers, and stress the importance of administrative processes, construction permits and grid connection as barriers. The results suggest the need to combine different policies in order to activate the drivers and/or mitigate the barriers. Image 1 • An empirical ranking of the drivers and barriers to the deployment of concentrated solar power (CSP). • Focus on the EU in the past and the future at system/grid and project/investment levels. • An expert elicitation and an investors' survey were carried out for this purpose. • The results differ across the two levels (experts and investors), time frames and CSP designs. • The results highlight the importance of dispatchability, public support and administrative barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]