Renewable Energy Policy Network
For the 21st century
For more than a decade, REN21 has worked to “connect the dots” between the public and the private sector to drive the global energy transition. In keeping with this tradition, REN21 has canvassed a wide range of experts and stakeholders from around the world. Experts were asked about their views on the feasibility of achieving a 100% renewable energy future and what they thought related macro-economic impacts might be. This new REN21 Renewables Global Futures Report: Great debates towards 100% reneawble energy presents a spectrum of expert views and contains the most pressing subjects that need to be addressed in order to enable high-shares of renewables on a global level. These subjects, summarised in the report as “Great Debates”, are hotly contested by the interviewed energy experts. Their views are influenced by the different regions and countries that they come from, the current stage of development in their region and in which energy sector they work.
REN21 is the global renewable energy policy multi- stakeholder network that connects a wide range of key actors. REN21’s goal is to facilitate knowledge exchange, policy development and joint action towards a rapid global transition to renewable energy.
The call for a 100% renewable energy future is gaining widespread support. It is a clear and simple concept, which expresses perfectly the ambition signaled by countries in signing of the 2015 landmark Paris Agreement. Holding global average temperature rise well below 2°C, not to mention a much safer limit of 1.5°C, requires nothing short of the complete decarbonisation of the energy sector. But the world is a complex place; what works in one country doesn’t necessarily work in another. Finding solutions for some sectors is easier than for others. The stakes are high – financially, environmentally and socially – and as the transition progresses, there will be clear winners and losers.
REN21 has canvassed a wide range of experts and stakeholders from around the world asking them about their views on the feasibility of achieving a 100% renewable energy future, and to explore what the related macro-economic impacts might be. In the report 12 great debates are mentioned and elaborated on:
1. 100% Renewables: A logical consequence of the Paris agreement?
2. Global Energy Demand Development: Efficiency on a global level?
3. Renewable Power Generation, the winner takes it all?
4. The Future of Heating: Thermal or electrical application?
5. Renewables for Transport: Electrification versus biofuels
6. Interconnection of Sectors: system thinking required
7. Storage: Supporter or competitor of the power grid?
8. Technology versus Costs: Which should come first?
9. Scaling-up Investments and Work Force: 100% renewables for socio-economic change?
10. Utilities of the Future: What will they look like?
11. Mega Cities: Mega possibilities
12. Energy Access Enabled Through Renewables: How to speed up connections?
The answers in the report are portrayed per region, as no country/region is the same. Solutions, therefore, must be customize and applied differently per geographical region. Curious about the solutions and the view of experts on these themes? Read the full report here.
REPORT CITATION
REN21. 2017
Renewables Global Futures Report:
Great debates towards 100% renewable energy
(Paris: REN21 Secretariat).
ISBN 978-3-9818107-4-5