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Creating a sustainable U.S. electricity sector: the question of scale.
- Source :
-
Policy Sciences . Jun2012, Vol. 45 Issue 2, p97-121. 25p. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- The U.S. electricity market, like electricity markets in most countries, is heavily dependent on fossil-fuel generation from centralized power applications. This paper reviews the factors that led to the sector's reliance on fossil fuels and presents a future vision of the U.S. electricity sector based on a varied spectrum of sustainable energy resources ranging in scale from large, centralized facilities to small, localized energy systems. This spectrum includes low-emissions energy and energy efficiency, as well as macro-generation, micro-grids, distributed generation, micro-generation and end-user conservation. We discuss the evidence that each element of this spectrum is a viable and proven technology, the balanced integration of which could shape an electricity sector that adheres to sustainability principles. This paper concludes with a discussion of the institutional barriers that need to be addressed to successfully achieve a transition toward a more future sustainable electricity sector based on the variations in scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00322687
- Volume :
- 45
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Policy Sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 76171213
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-012-9152-z