• Energy Research

Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships can overcome many of the problems which exist with the transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) from developed to developing countries, but as yet they have not been explored in detail in the negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Technology transfer is an important part of the UNFCCC, but the mechanism for achieving this is problematic. Developed countries prefer a market approach whereas developing countries tend to negotiate for direct grants. Multi-stakeholder partnerships offer a pathway through which technology is transferred and developing country capacity enhanced, while the interests of developed country private enterprise innovators are also protected. We present opinions and a case-study on multi-stakeholder partnerships and discuss some of the advantages that multi-stakeholder partners canoffer.

The introduction and rapid spread of green electricity as a specific product has triggered a sequence of changes in Dutch electricity supply and green electricity trade and even has impacted European energy policy. Triggered by fundamental changes in the electricity sector it led to new governance arrangement for the product green electricity. As initial rules were weakened, in particular the additionality principle, the sustainability impact of the new concept was significantly reduced. Nevertheless, green electricity certificate systems and international trade were enabled by its emergence. The article analyses the process of rule formation around green electricity and explains how the nature of green electricity altered as part of that process.

This paper proposes a combination of two optimization models for simultaneously determining strategic energy planning at both national and regional levels. The first model deals with a single-period energy mix where the electricity production configuration at a future date (e.g., 2050), based on the available generation sources, is optimally obtained. An optimization model, based on a non-linear goal programming method, is designed to ensure a mixed balance between national and regional goals. The desired energy mix configuration, which is the solution obtained by solving the first model, is then fed into the second model as the main data input. In the second model, a multiple-period generation expansion plan is designed which optimizes the energy transition over the time horizon from the present until the future planning date (2050). The model considers uncertain parameters, including the regional energy demand, fuel cost, and national peak load. A two-stage stochastic programming model is developed where the sample average approximation approach is used as a method of solution. The practical use of the proposed models has been assessed through application to the electricity generation system in China.

Technology transfer is a central component in policies and action to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Without creation and adoption of suitable environmentally sound technologies it will not be possible to follow the basic principles of sustainable development. Technology transfer was expected to be a major item at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznań, Poland, 1–12 December 2008, but was eclipsed by discussions on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries. However, agreement was reached on a report from the Global Environment Facility called the ‘Poznań strategic programme on technology transfer’ outlining proposals to scale-up investment. At the meeting it was not possible to reach agreement on inclusion of carbon capture and storage technology under the clean development mechanism and other areas of unresolved discussion included intellectual property rights and revision of the principle of differentiated responsibility. Side-events to the main meeting provided two important indications of future directions. First, intellectual property rights were discussed at length primarily with the opinion that they were not a major barrier to technology transfer. Second, representatives from the business sector were regarding environmentally sound technologies as an opportunity for economic growth and development.