• Energy Research

This work deals with the 2030 power transition in Spain following the pledges with the European Union targets of reaching climate neutrality, or net zero emissions, by 2050. Within this context, we analyze in this work the plan established by the Spanish government under the umbrella of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan which fixes very specific objectives for the evolution of the electricity power mix for the period 2020-2050. In the case of photovoltaics, it would imply to multiply by almost a factor of four its 2020 value, reaching near 40 GW in 2030. Being photovoltaics a variable, non-dispatchable renewable energy, to take full advantage of it, it would be needed a large amount of storage capacity and backup power with very fast ramping responses. Otherwise, we would have to curtail part of the incoming solar photovoltaic energy. Based on historical data and making use of duck curves, we have also shown that the large growth of PV (2020-2030) will require needs of storage capacity and/or backup reaching values of 5 GW per hour during 4 h during the afternoon-evening. According to the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, our results show that this plan has not yet properly foreseen these requirements and some curtailment may be needed.

This work deals with the 2030 power transition in Spain following the pledges with the European Union targets of reaching climate neutrality, or net zero emissions, by 2050. Within this context, we analyze in this work the plan established by the Spanish government under the umbrella of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan which fixes very specific objectives for the evolution of the electricity power mix for the period 2020-2050. In the case of photovoltaics, it would imply to multiply by almost a factor of four its 2020 value, reaching near 40 GW in 2030. Being photovoltaics a variable, non-dispatchable renewable energy, to take full advantage of it, it would be needed a large amount of storage capacity and backup power with very fast ramping responses. Otherwise, we would have to curtail part of the incoming solar photovoltaic energy. Based on historical data and making use of duck curves, we have also shown that the large growth of PV (2020-2030) will require needs of storage capacity and/or backup reaching values of 5 GW per hour during 4 h during the afternoon-evening. According to the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, our results show that this plan has not yet properly foreseen these requirements and some curtailment may be needed.

Over the last few years there have been increasing concerns about the energy mix in many countries. These concerns have been of greater magnitude for countries with a common energy regulation such as European Union (EU) member states. In order to choose a given energy mix, an important aspect to take into account is the efficiency involved to generate it. In this context, the present study analyzes the efficiency with which electricity and derived heat is produced in 25 EU member states over the last decade. This is carried out considering not only the inputs and outputs involved but, more importantly, which undesirable by-products are generated during the production process, which is a relevant issue for the EU climate policy. To this end, two nonparametric frontier models are considered. F , D o D Fu o , b o B ’ (1997) p opo , o , mo f o of To ’ (2001) S k B M u (SBM) mo , both of which are especially appropriate in this particular context due to its treatment of undesirable outputs. Results from both models show that there are remarkable efficiency differences among EU countries and, therefore, the initiatives aiming at harmonizing environmental policies have still to be intensified.

Over the last few years there have been increasing concerns about the energy mix in many countries. These concerns have been of greater magnitude for countries with a common energy regulation such as European Union (EU) member states. In order to choose a given energy mix, an important aspect to take into account is the efficiency involved to generate it. In this context, the present study analyzes the efficiency with which electricity and derived heat is produced in 25 EU member states over the last decade. This is carried out considering not only the inputs and outputs involved but, more importantly, which undesirable by-products are generated during the production process, which is a relevant issue for the EU climate policy. To this end, two nonparametric frontier models are considered. F , D o D Fu o , b o B ’ (1997) p opo , o , mo f o of To ’ (2001) S k B M u (SBM) mo , both of which are especially appropriate in this particular context due to its treatment of undesirable outputs. Results from both models show that there are remarkable efficiency differences among EU countries and, therefore, the initiatives aiming at harmonizing environmental policies have still to be intensified.

This paper evaluates the evolution of environmental performance in the context of the European Union (EU), over the period 1993-2010. The context is particularly relevant, due to the traditionally high concerns of the EU about these issues, which has triggered off several initiatives and regulations on environmental protection. In this setting, we conduct a two-stage analysis which develops environmental performance indicators in the first stage for each pair country-year, and evaluates its evolution in the second. More specifically, in the first stage we estimate specific efficiencies for three air-pollutants (CO2e, SO2, NOx), along with an eco-efficiency indicator, for which we use the slack-free directional distance functions in the Data Envelopment Analysis framework (as opposed to the more extended intensity ratios), whereas in the second stage we propose to using a model of explicit distribution dynamics which takes into account how the entire distributions of these indicators evolve. Our results indicate that the dynamics underlying the evolution of the indicators analyzed are indeed remarkable. Although the eco-efficiency indicator has improved over the last two decades, it has been during the last decade when performance has shown a more convergent path. However, in the case of the more traditional indicators (CO2e, SO2, NOx) the abatement opportunities are still remarkable, especially in the case of SO2. HighlightsWe evaluate the evolution of environmental performance in the context of the EU.We estimate specific efficiencies for CO2e, SO2, NOx and an eco-efficiency indicator.We propose using a model of explicit distribution dynamics.Results indicate that the dynamics of the indicators are complex.Despite the recent progresses, the abatement opportunities are still remarkable.

This paper evaluates the evolution of environmental performance in the context of the European Union (EU), over the period 1993-2010. The context is particularly relevant, due to the traditionally high concerns of the EU about these issues, which has triggered off several initiatives and regulations on environmental protection. In this setting, we conduct a two-stage analysis which develops environmental performance indicators in the first stage for each pair country-year, and evaluates its evolution in the second. More specifically, in the first stage we estimate specific efficiencies for three air-pollutants (CO2e, SO2, NOx), along with an eco-efficiency indicator, for which we use the slack-free directional distance functions in the Data Envelopment Analysis framework (as opposed to the more extended intensity ratios), whereas in the second stage we propose to using a model of explicit distribution dynamics which takes into account how the entire distributions of these indicators evolve. Our results indicate that the dynamics underlying the evolution of the indicators analyzed are indeed remarkable. Although the eco-efficiency indicator has improved over the last two decades, it has been during the last decade when performance has shown a more convergent path. However, in the case of the more traditional indicators (CO2e, SO2, NOx) the abatement opportunities are still remarkable, especially in the case of SO2. HighlightsWe evaluate the evolution of environmental performance in the context of the EU.We estimate specific efficiencies for CO2e, SO2, NOx and an eco-efficiency indicator.We propose using a model of explicit distribution dynamics.Results indicate that the dynamics of the indicators are complex.Despite the recent progresses, the abatement opportunities are still remarkable.

Abstract The aim of this study is first to make a critical evaluation of the present situation of the power system in Spain making use of the latest available data. The other main objective is to make an analysis of the optimal mix for the intensive deployment of variable renewable energies (VRES). The VRES considered are wind, solar photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP), which by 2030 should provide all together about 45–50% of the total electricity demand in order to comply with the European Union (EU) Directives and the Paris 2016 Climate Agreements. As we will show, these levels of VRES would create important problems of surplus and needed backup energies, especially in the lack of sufficient electricity storage facilities. Therefore, it will be needed during the transition period the parallel use of fossil conventional backup plants, with their corresponding associated emissions. By applying linear programming optimization techniques we try in this paper to make optimal the large deployment of VRES. By “optimal” we mean that the shares of VRES would simultaneously minimize both the backup and the surplus power components for the whole set of hours (8760) in the year. For the most viable Scenario to be implemented around 2030, we have also studied the statistical distribution of slacks (surpluses and backups) so that the demand could always be covered, providing a valuable data for the provision of additional storage. In summary this scenario assumes a large reduction of coal power plants, the continuation of present nuclear power plants and the preservation of combined cycle power plants which will be used for backup due to their high flexibility and ramping speed.