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Renewable energy sources (RES) are the key element of sustainable energy systems. To accommodate the intermittency of wind (and solar) electricity generation, energy storage is critical. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential of wind energy storage in the existing hydropower plant reservoirs in Latvia with the pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES) technology, considering the current and projected future wind energy capacities. An algorithm was developed and used for data aggregation and analysis, calculations, and forecasting. The three River Daugava hydroelectric power plants are the largest electricity producers in Latvia, and their generation capacity depends on seasonal variations. Currently, Latvia's electricity generation from RES is the highest during the spring season when maximum hydropower potential is utilized. However, wind energy has a potential to grow and could supplement hydropower throughout the year. Decreasing the existing administrative procedure heaviness to faster achieve the climate neutrality targets and energy autonomy by increasing RES development in Latvia is a way to create sustainable energy production. A rational future scenario in Latvia is to expand wind parks and integrate pumped hydroelectric energy storage systems in the existing cascade hydropower plants.

Institutional capacity is enabling environment for interactions between individuals and organizations. Understanding the changes required regarding the institutional capacity is needed to remove barriers and stimulate transition to sustainable energy systems. The aim of this study was to identify those barriers to understand what type of changes of the institutional capacity is required. Review of publications was done with focus on the three critical domains for clean energy transition – social acceptance, climate and energy policy and critical materials. In result, the most important aspects of the institutional capacity that form the barriers as well as stimulus in the three domains were identified. Causal loop diagram providing a systemic viewpoint on the important elements and interactions within the mentioned three domains is presented. Results of the study can be used for system dynamics model of energy transition.

Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) is widely used to solve various decision problems through alternative evaluation. MCDA methods can be used in every field that can define a problem, alternatives and criteria. However, finding the appropriate method can influence the results, in this research five MCDA methods have been tested on the renewable energy sector in Latvia to find the best alternative. The main results showed that TOPSIS, VIKOR and PROMETHEE-GAIA have similar priority selection and the highest ranking was selected for hydropower plant, but MULTIMOORA and COPRAS results were beneficial to Solar PV.

The research paper is focused on how to choose the most suitable renewable energy solution using multi-criteria analysis for a district heating system. Making choices is based on indicators – economic, environmental and social. In this case, the study used five indicators: resources costs, totals investments, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, specific weight of renewable energy resources and impact on utilized land. Three situations have been compared – current situation: gas boiler, planned: solar collectors 21 595 m2 + accumulation tank 8000 m3 and alternatives: solar PV panels 5504 m2 – heat pump COP 3 are used in the estimation. The multi-criteria decision-making analysis shows that solar collectors 21 595 m2 + accumulation tank 8000 m3 are considered as the best alternative. The methodology is based on choosing a solution for a district heating company in Latvia.

Financial support is needed in order to implement renewable resources in countries energy sector in the shortest time period. Among the most important supports for European Union Member states are feed-in tariff and feed-in tariff premiums. This research analyses one country’s experience in applying subsidies of the electricity tariff that has caused public protests after 20 years. There are many reasons for this which are analysed in the paper. One of the most important reasons of high subsidies of energy tariffs – coincident mandatory procurement implementation of application of fossil fuel (imported natural gas) for cogeneration units, which has to be classified as external mover (initiator) factor. Energy sector’s potential development scenarios with or without support for renewable energy resources are being analysed in the paper.