81 publications found
Crosscutting Projects
Journal Article
Skea, J and Nishioka, S (2008). Policies and practices for a low-carbon society. Climate Policy, 8: S5S16
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In February 2006, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) Japan and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK set in motion an ambitious research project aimed at informing the Gleneagles Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development established during the UK’s 2005 G8 Presidency (DEFRA, 2005). The Dialogue has engaged G8 and other interested countries with significant energy needs. It has focused on:
- The strategic challenge of transforming our energy systems to create a more secure and sustainable future
- Monitoring implementation of the commitments made in the associated Gleneagles Plan of Action
- Sharing best practice between participating governments.
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Energy Demand (Demand Reduction)
Book
Brand, C (2008). Personal Travel and Climate Change - Exploring Climate Change Emissions from Personal Travel Activity of Individuals and Households. VDM Verlag Dr. Muller Aktiengesellschaft & Co.. ISBN 9783639025071 (400 pp.)
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Greenhouse gas emissions from personal transport have risen steadily in the UK and elsewhere. Yet, surprisingly little is known about who exactly is contributing to the problem and the extent to which different groups of the population will be affected by any policy responses. A case study application of a newly developed methodology and travel emissions evaluation tool provides an improved understanding of the extent to which individual and household travel activity patterns, choice of transport mode, geographical location, socio-economic and other factors impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Air and car travel dominate overall emissions. There is a highly unequal distribution of emissions amongst the population, independent of the mode of travel, location and unit of analysis. The top 10% of emitters are responsible for 43% of emissions and the bottom 10% for only 1%. Income, economic activity, age, household structure and car availability significantly influence emissions levels. Key policy implications of the results are discussed. The book concludes by suggesting potential applications of the methodology and evaluation tool.
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Journal Article
Cairns, S, Cloman, L, Newson, C Anable, J, Kirkbride, A. and Goodwin, P. (2008). Smarter choices: Assessing the potential to achieve traffic reduction using 'soft measures'. Transport reviews, 28 (5): 593-618
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In recent years, there has been a growing interest in a range of transport policy initiatives which are designed to influence people’s travel behaviour away from singleoccupancy car use and towards more benign and efficient options, through a combination of marketing, information, incentives and tailored new services. In transport policy discussions, these are now widely described as ‘soft’ factor interventions or ‘smarter choice’ measures or ‘mobility management’ tools. In 2004, the UK Department for Transport commissioned a major study to examine whether largescale programmes of these measures could potentially deliver substantial cuts in car use. The purpose of this article is to clarify the approach taken in the study, the types of evidence reviewed and the overall conclusions reached. In summary, the results suggested that, withinapproximately ten years, smarter choice measures have the potential to reduce national traffic levels by about 11%, with reductions of up to 21% of peak period urban traffic. Moreover, they represent relatively good value for money, with schemes potentially generating benefit:cost ratios which are in excess of 10:1. The central conclusion of the study was that such measures could play a very significant role in addressing traffic, given the right support and policy context.
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Curtis, D. (2008). Lighting power. Geography Review, 22 (2): -
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No abstract available
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Curtis, D. and Noble, H. (2008). Power management in networked desktops. Information for Development (Climate Change and ICTs), 6 (5): 30-31
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No abstract available
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Dyer, C.H, Hammond, G.P, Jones, C.I. and R.C. McKenna (2008). Enabling technologies for industrial energy demand management. Energy Policy, 36 (12): 4434-4443
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This state-of-science review sets out to provide an indicative assessment of enabling technologies for reducing UK industrial energy demand and carbon emissions to 2050. In the short term, i.e. the period that will rely on current or existing technologies, the road map and priorities are clear. A variety of available technologies will lead to energy demand reduction in industrial processes, boiler operation, compressed air usage, electric motor efficiency, heating and lighting, and ancillary uses such as transport. The prospects for the commercial exploitation of innovative technologies by the middle of the 21st century are more speculative. Emphasis is therefore placed on the range of technology assessment methods that are likely to provide policy makers with a guide to progress in the development of high-temperature processes, improved materials, process integration and intensification, and improved industrial process control and monitoring. Key among the appraisal methods applicable to the energy sector is thermodynamic analysis, making use of energy, exergy and ‘exergoeconomic’ techniques. Technical and economic barriers will limit the improvement potential to perhaps a 30% cut in industrial energy use, which would make a significant contribution to reducing energy demand and carbon emissions in UK industry. Non-technological drivers for, and barriers to, the take-up of innovative, low-carbon energy technologies for industry are also outlined.
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Dyer, C.H, Hammond, G.P. and McKenna, R.C. (2008). Engineering sustainability: energy efficiency, thermodynamic analysis amd the industrial sector. The Environmental Engineer, 9: 17-22
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No abstract available
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Hammond, G.P. and Waldron, R. (2008). Risk Assessment of UK Electricity Supply in a Rapidly Evolving Energy Sector. Journal of Power and Energy, 222: 623-642
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A range of major risks associated with a rapidly changing United Kingdom (UK) electricity sector have been identified and quantified with the aid of various stakeholder groups (academic researchers, civil servants, electricity companies, ‘green’ groups, power system engineers, and various others), who completed an online internet questionnaire. Each stakeholder ranked potential risks according to the perceived ‘severity of impact’ and ‘likelihood of occurrence’ using a three-point scale. The data were then used to perform a ranking of the risks by multiplying scores for impact and occurrence. There was some variation between the different stakeholder groups, but similar risks were ranked highly by each group. The main risks were identified as being energy security issues (the highest score), lack of investment in new infrastructure, the closure ofold coal and nuclear plants leading to reduced network capacity, severe weather events, and inadequate spare capacity margins generally. The trial illustrates the potential of using risk assessment techniques to evaluate developing risks to the UK power landscape. Clearly such an exercise would need to be carried out periodically if it were to maintain its value to the industry, its stakeholders, and to policy makers.
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Layberry, R. (2008). Analysis of errors in degree days for building energy analysis using Meteorolgical Office weather stations data. Building Services Engineering Research & Technology, 30: 79-86
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Heating degree days are widely used in building energy management for weather normalization of energy use. Degree days are normally calculated at Meteorological Office weather stations sited some distance from the building of interest and this can introduce errors between the degree days used in the calculations and the actual degree days at the building. This paper analyses the major sources of errors in the degree days derived from a newly available data set of Met. Office stations supplied by the British Atmospheric Data Survey (BADC) and compares these errors against those from other available data sets. The BADC data set consists of hourly temperatures for 242 weather stations in the UK from January 2001 until November 2007 and has been converted to monthly degree days for the analysis. The errors have been analysed in terms of measurement and recording errors, errors due to altitude and errors due to spatial separation between weather station and building. The largest error is due to spatial separation between building and weather station. It is therefore important to use data sets with high numbers of weather stations. The data set used in this analysis has been made available on the internet at http:// www.eci.ox.ac.uk/research/energy/degreedays.php and consists of daily, weekly and monthly degree days for over 200 UK weather stations at a range of building base temperatures for the years 1987—2006. Also included is the 20-year mean for the 55 stations with unbroken records for benchmarking purposes.
Practical application: The paper discusses how errors arise in degree day data when using Met. Office weather stations sited some distance from the building of interest. The paper discusses both the method and the extent of reductions in errors that are possible by using spatially rich weather station degree day data sets. The paper makes the data set used — the best for UK degree day monitoring of buildings — available through a website, daily, weekly and monthly, over a range of building base temperatures, back to 1986.
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Layberry, R. (2008). Degree days for building energy management - presentation of new data set.. Building Services Engineering Research & Technology, 29 (3): 273-282
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Heating degree days are widely used in building energy management. For the construction of building performance lines, it is necessary to have the correct building base temperature with the meteorological station as close as possible to the building being monitored. In the UK, free degree day data is available on a monthly basis for 18 regions of the UK at a building base temperature of 15.5°C. This paper presents a new data set of degree days calculated for 77 regions, weekly and monthly, at a range of building base temperatures from 10.5°C to 20°C. The data is calculated using real hourly temperatures and is compared against degree days calculated using approximate equations. The data presented is free and is updated weekly at http://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/research/energy/degreedays.php
Practical applications: Degree days are widely used in building energy management;however, they are often not used due to the lack of availability of data for different time intervals, for appropriate weather stations and at building base temperatures other than 15.5°C. This paper presents and discusses a data set at high spatial resolution (77 UK stations) at both weekly and monthly time intervals for building base temperatures from 10.5°C to 20°C. This resource is more accurate than traditional sources due to having been calculated from hourly Meteorological Office data rather than daily maximum and minimum temperatures. The data is available online, is updated weekly and in a form such that it can be dynamically linked in to building energy management programs.
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UKERC Working Paper
Workshop Report
Darby,S. and Rowlands, I (2008). Managing residential electricity demand: learning from experience in the UK and Ontario. UKERC Report UKERC/MR/MP/2008/006. UKERC
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This workshop brought together 36 experts including policy makers and advisors, scientists and residential electricity management stakeholders to provide a neutral forum, under Chatham House rules, for full and frank dialogue relating to sharing lessons learned and developing strategies and policy recommendations emerging from managing residential electricity demand in the UK and Ontario, Canada. This was an opportunity to reflect upon our various roles within the broader context of residential electricity demand management. The aim of the workshop was to draw out recommendations and actions for demand reduction, load management and carbon reduction. The workshop outputs will provide a base for continued collaboration and identification of new research initiatives.
The workshop explored three objectives: 1. Share lessons learned from the UK and Ontario, Canada regarding demand response and demand reduction initiatives
2. Examine possible strategies; and
3. Develop policy recommendations and actions for demand reduction, load management and carbon reduction.
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Keay-Bright, S, Fawcett, T. and Howell, R. (2008). Personal carbon trading (PCT): Bringing together the research community. UKERC Report UKERC/MR/MP/2009/001. UKERC
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A recent Government study into personal carbon trading1 (PCT) concluded that as a policy instrument PCT “has potential to engage individuals in taking action to combat climate change, but is essentially ahead of its time and expected costs for implementation are high.2 ”. Yet, at the same time Defra has recognised that “further research is being taken forward by academics and research institutions outside of Government, and Defra will keep a watching brief on their progress”3 . PCT related research studies being undertaken in different universities and institutions across the UK, or overseas, have not yet been brought together in a coherent way and interaction between researchers has been limited. In addition, the Defra studies have highlighted some areas for further research. Thus, the key aims of the workshop were to:
- ‘Map the field’ of PCT research: learn what each of us is doing and our respective research focus;
- Determine where we have got so far, in terms of knowledge and understanding of PCT and its related issues;
- Discuss future research directions with regard to funding opportunities;
- Create a PCT researchers’ network; and
- Discuss and agree the process for publishing a PCT edited volume through the Climate Policy journal that provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art review of PCT research to date.
These key aims have largely been met. In the Appendix of the main report is a document setting out the research interests of the workshop participants, giving a flavour of who is doing what where. The Climate Policy journal has expressed interest in publishing a special issue on PCT in early 2010. Papers for this special issue are now being coordinated by the Environmental Change Institute of the University of Oxford.
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Keay-Bright, S, Fawcett, T. and Howell, R. (2008). Personal carbon trading (PCT):Bringing together the research community. UKERC Report UKERC/MR/MP/2009/002. UKERC
Show Abstract
A recent Government study into personal carbon trading1 (PCT) concluded that as a policy instrument PCT “has potential to engage individuals in taking action to combat climate change, but is essentially ahead of its time and expected costs for implementation are high.2 ”. Yet, at the same time Defra has recognised that “further research is being taken forward by academics and research institutions outside of Government, and Defra will keep a watching brief on their progress”3 . PCT related research studies being undertaken in different universities and institutions across the UK, or overseas, have not yet been brought together in a coherent way and interaction between researchers has been limited. In addition, the Defra studies have highlighted some areas for further research. Thus, the key aims of the workshop were to:
- ‘Map the field’ of PCT research: learn what each of us is doing and our respective research focus;
- Determine where we have got so far, in terms of knowledge and understanding of PCT and its related issues;
- Discuss future research directions with regard to funding opportunities;
- Create a PCT researchers’ network; and
- Discuss and agree the process for publishing a PCT edited volume through the Climate Policy journal that provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art review of PCT research to date.
These key aims have largely been met. In the Appendix of the main report is a document setting out the research interests of the workshop participants, giving a flavour of who is doing what where. The Climate Policy journal has expressed interest in publishing a special issue on PCT in early 2010. Papers for this special issue are now being coordinated by the Environmental Change Institute of the University of Oxford.
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Lorenzoni, I, ONeill, S, Whitmarsh, L, Otoadese, J, Keay-Bright, S. and John, K (2008). Engaging the public in climate change and energy demand reduction. UKERC Report UKERC/MR/MP/2008/009. UKERC
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The aim of the workshop was to bring together academics and practitioners from different disciplines and backgrounds in order to ultimately inform more effective approaches to public communication of, and engagement with, climate change and energy reduction. The overarching question to be addressed by the workshop was, “What can empirical and theoretical studies of communication and behaviour change tell us about how we might move towards a more ‘climate-friendly’ (low-carbon, climate resilient) society?”. More specifically the workshop objectives were to: share cutting-edge research and practice; foster learning across disciplines and contexts; identify gaps in understanding; form new interdisciplinary contacts and networks; consider and generate new insights; stimulate novel collaborations; provide the contents for a book and a workshop report that would beuseful for academics, practitioners and policy-makers. Central to the workshop were three sessions relating to the overarching question: models, messages and media. These sessions involved 10 minute presentations from each of three presenters and a 10 minute response from an invited discussant.
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Lorenzoni, I, ONeill, S, Whitmarsh, L, Otoadese, J, Keay-Bright, S. and John, K (2008). Engaging the public in climate change and energy demand reduction: Executive summary. UKERC Report UKERC/MR/MP/2008/009. UKERC
Show Abstract
The aim of the workshop was to bring together academics and practitioners from different disciplines and backgrounds in order to ultimately inform more effective approaches to public communication of, and engagement with, climate change and energy reduction. The overarching question to be addressed by the workshop was, “What can empirical and theoretical studies of communication and behaviour change tell us about how we might move towards a more ‘climate-friendly’ (low-carbon, climate resilient) society?”. More specifically the workshop objectives were to: share cutting-edge research and practice; foster learning across disciplines and contexts; identify gaps in understanding; form new interdisciplinary contacts and networks; consider and generate new insights; stimulate novel collaborations; provide the contents for a book and a workshop report that would beuseful for academics, practitioners and policy-makers. Central to the workshop were three sessions relating to the overarching question: models, messages and media. These sessions involved 10 minute presentations from each of three presenters and a 10 minute response from an invited discussant.
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Energy Supply (Energy Infrastructure & Supply)
Book
Freris, L and Infield, D. (2008). Renewable Energy in Power Systems. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-470-01749-4 (300 pp.)
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Renewable Energy (RE) sources differ from conventional sources in that, generally they cannot be scheduled, they are much smaller than conventional power stations and are often connected to the electricity distribution system rather than the transmission system. The integration of such time variable ‘distributed’ or ‘embedded’ sources into electricity networks requires special consideration.
This new book addresses these special issues and covers the following:
- The characteristics of conventional and RE generators with particular reference to the variable nature of RE from wind, solar, small hydro and marine sources over time scales ranging from seconds to months
- The power balance and frequency stability in a network with increasing inputs from variable sources and the technical and economic implications of increased penetration from such sources with special reference to demand side management
- The conversion of energy into electricity from RE sources and the type and characteristics of generators used
- The requirement to condition the power from RE sources and the type and mode of operation of the power electronic converters used to interface such generators to the grid
- The flow of power over networks supplied from conventional plus RE sources with particular reference to voltage control and protection
- The economics and trading of ‘green’ electricity in national and international deregulated markets
- The expected developments in RE technology and the future shape of power systems where the penetration from RE sources is large and where substantial operational and control benefits will be derived from extensive use of power electronic interfaces and controllers
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Conference Paper
Baker, P. (2008). Developing a Transmission Access Regime to Deliver the UK's Renewable Targets. BIEE Conference Oxford, UK . UKERC
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The New Energy Challenge: Security and Sustainability
A Job for Governments, markets…or a third way?
Delivering the UK’s obligations in contributing to the EU commitment to obtain 20% of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020 is likely to require the connection of around 35-45 GW of renewable – mainly wind – generation. In addition, significant amounts of new conventional and possibly nuclear generation will be required to replace decommissioning plant and to meet load growth.
With renewable generation wishing to connect in Scotland now being quoted dates circa 2020, it is clear that the methodology currently applied by National Grid for regulating access to the transmission system could become a significant barrier to the connection of sufficient new generation within the necessary timescales. While this methodology hasarguably worked well in recent years with the connection of substantial amounts of generating capacity, the focus on accommodating the simultaneous operation of conventional generation to meet peak demand seems inappropriate given the future need for a mixed generation portfolio with a high proportion of intermittent wind generation.
The paper will review current transmission access methodology and discuss the need to develop alterative arrangements that recognise the replacement role of renewable generation and the overriding need for conventional and intermittent renewable generation to share available transmission capacity. In addition, the paper will discuss the different demands placed on the transmission system by different generation technologies, the need for more flexible market-based access arrangements designed to allow early connection and the possible need for a more strategic approach to the provision of transmission infrastructure, given the timescales imposed by UK’s new renewable obligations.
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Castro, M., Shakoor, A., Pudjianto, D., and Strbac, G. (2008). Evaluating the Capacity Value of Wind Generation in Systems with Hydro Generation. 16th Power Systems Computation Conference (PSCC) 14-18 July 2008 Glasgow, UK
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Wind generation is envisaged to be a major contributor for meeting the targets for renewable energy and environment in various countries. However, the limited contribution of this generation source to system reliability requires increased capacity margins (generation capacity above system's maximum demand). This paper investigates the potential impact on the capacity value of wind generation due to the presence of hydro generation in systems. In order to quantify the adequacy of the overall generation capacity and capacity credit of wind generation in wind-hydro-thermal systems a new methodology based on loss of load expectation (LOLE) is developed. Various studies performed through implementing the new methodology establish that the capacity credit of wind generation can increase by up to 10% due to the support of hydro generation.
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Chaudry, M., Jenkins, N., and Strbac, G. (2008). Sustainable Development of the Gas and Electricity Infrastructure in the UK. Sustainable Energy: Supergen sustainable UK conference: Meeting the Science and Engineering Challenge 13-14 May 2008 Oxford, UK
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No abstract available
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Journal Article
Chaudry, M, Ekanayake, J. and Jenkins, N (2008). Optimum control strategy for CHP unit. International Journal of Distributed Energy Resources, 4 (4): 265-280
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A temperature control strategy for µCHP unit was developed to achieve the desired room and water temperature of a dwelling. The µCHP unit considered is based on a Stirling engine where only full-load and idling (or off) operation are possible. Cost optimisation of the µCHP unit is performed to determine the economic operation of the unit for different times of the year for a single house. The cost optimisation model was extended to incorporate a µCHP unit which is connected to two houses.
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Chaudry, M., Jenkins, N. and Strabc, G. (2008). Multi-time Period Combined Gas and Electricity Network Optimisation. Electric Power Systems Research Journal, Elsevier., 78 (7): 1265-1279
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A multi-time period combined gas and electricity network optimisation model was developed. The optimisation model takes into account the varying nature of gas flows, network support facilities such as gas storage and the power ramping characteristics of electricity generation units. The combined optimisation is performed from an economic viewpoint, minimising the costs associated with gas supplies, linepack management, gas storage operation, electricity generation, and load shedding. It is demonstrated on the GB gas and electricity network.
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Taylor, G. (2008). UKERC bioenergy-current activity. British Bioenergy News, 7: -
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No abstract available
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Wilkinson, M, Gilfillan, S.M.V. Haszeldine, R.S. and Ballentine, C.J. (2008). Plumbing the depths - testing natural tracers of subsurface CO2 origin and migration. AAPG Studies, 59 (-): 1-16
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No abstract available
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Woodman, B. and Baker, P. (2008). Regulatory Frameworks for Decentralised Energy. Energy Policy, 36 (12): 4527â4531
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No abstract available
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UKERC Working Paper
Holloway, S and Rowley, W. J. (2008). Environmental Sustainability of Electricity Generation Systems with Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage. UKERC Report UKERC/WP/ES/2008/002. UKERC
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This working paper analyses the environmental sustainability of four electricity production systems that include carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS):
- Pulverised coal (PC)
- Pulverised coal with oxyfuel combustion (PCOC)
- Natural gas combined cycle (NGCC), and
- Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC)
The analysis is based largely on a review of relevant Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs). Thus it considers the environmental sustainability of the entire electricity generation chain from fuel extraction through electricity generation and CO2 capture to CO2 storage.
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Winskel, M., Markusson, N., Jeffrey, H., Jablonski, S., Candelise, C., Ward, D. and Howarth, P. (2008). Technology Change and Energy Systems: Learning Pathways for Future Sources of Energy. UKERC
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No abstract available
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Energy Systems (Energy Systems and Modelling)
Book
Strachan N., T. Foxon, and J. Fujino (2008). Modelling Long-Term Scenarios for Low Carbon Societies. Earthscan. ISBN 9781844075942 (180 pp.)
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With the ever-increasing impacts of climate change, it is now clear that global society will have to restructure its energy systems in order to decrease carbon emissions. The scenarios under which this transition to low-carbon societies (LCS) could occur would have complex economic, technological, behavioural and policy implications.
This volume, a supplement to the Climate Policy journal, considers these implications by examining different low-carbon scenarios for different countries, modelled at different scales and typologies. Two overview chapters, co-written by international experts, set the context of scenario development and quantification of LCS, and summarize the findings on the economic implications, societal responses, technological developments and required policy measures to enable LCS across a range of countries. Further chapters detail the modelling of variousscenarios and outline the model methodology, detail the economic and technological consequences of transitions to LCS, and comment on the strengths and weaknesses of specific policies.
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Book Chapter
Foxon, T (2008). Innovation in Energy Systems: Learning from Economic, Institutional and Management Approaches. In Foxon, T and Khler, J. (Ed.) (Eds) Innovation For A Low Carbon Economy (Chapter 1). Edward Elgar. ISBN 978184720382 3
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Innovation for a Low Carbon Economy analyses the interplay of technological, institutional, market and management factors in the dynamics of energy systems. The book aims to inform national and international policies to promote low carbon innovation.
Featuring chapters by leading international experts, this book explores how innovation in energy systems will provide a core contribution to achieving national and international energy policy goals, including energy security and long-term reductions in CO2 emissions. The book elaborates approaches to understanding innovation from different disciplinary perspectives and illustrates these through case studies of national and sectoral energy systems. These cover a range of technologies including photovoltaics, wind power, fuel cells, microgeneration, combined heat and power, and efficiency standards, for both energy and transport services. It contributes to greater mutual learning between approaches as international academics from economic, institutional and management backgrounds share and analyse their respective approaches, knowledge and insights.
The explicitly multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approach will appeal to academic researchers and postgraduate students interested in energy systems and policy. It will also be of interest to policymakers involved in promoting low carbon innovation, and strategic management thinkers in energy firms and consultancies.
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Journal Article
Barker, T, Dagoumas, A. and Rubin, J. (2008). The macroeconomic rebound effect and the world economy. Energy Efficiency, 2 (4): 411-427
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This paper examines the macroeconomic rebound effect for the global economy arising from energy-efficiency policies. Such policies are expected to be a leading component of climate policy portfolios being proposed and adopted in order to achieve climate stabilisation targets for 2020, 2030 and 2050, such as the G8 50% reduction target by 2050. We apply the global “New Economics” or Post Keynesian model E3MG, developing the version reported in IPCC AR4 WG3. The rebound effect refers to the idea that some or all of the expected reductions in energy consumption as a result of energy-efficiency improvements are offset by an increasing demand for energy services, arising from reductions in the effective price of energy services resulting from those improvements. As policies to stimulate energy-efficiency improvements are a key part of climate-change policies, the likely magnitude of any rebound effect is of great importance to assessing the effectiveness of those policies. The literature distinguishes three types of rebound effect from energy-efficiency improvements: direct, indirect and economy-wide. The macroeconomic rebound effect, which is the focus of this paper, is the combination of the indirect and economy-wide effects. Estimates of the effects of no-regrets efficiency policies are reported by the International Energy Agency in World Energy Outlook, 2006, and synthesised in the IPCC AR4 WG3 report. We analyse policies for the transport, residential and services buildings and industrial sectors of the economy for the post-2012 period, 2013–2030. The estimated direct rebound effect, implicit in the IEA WEO/IPCC AR4 estimates, is treated as exogenous, based on estimates from the literature, globally about 10%. The total rebound effect, however, is31% by 2020 rising to 52% by 2030. The total effect includes the direct effect and the effects of (1) the lower cost of energy on energy demand in the three broad sectors as well as of (2) the extra consumers’ expenditure from higher (implicit) real income and (3) the extra energy-efficiency investments. The rebound effects build up over time as the economic system adapts to the higher real incomes from the energy savings and the investments.
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Barker, T. (2008). The Economics of Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change. An Editorial Essay on the Stern Review. Climate Change, 89: 173-194
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The problem of avoiding dangerous climate change requires analysis from many disciplines. Mainstream economic thinking about the problem has shifted with the Stern Review from a single-discipline focus on cost-benefit analysis to a new inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary risk analysis, already evident in the IPCC Third Assessment Report. This shift is more evidence of the failure of the traditional, equilibrium approach in general to provide an adequate understanding of observed behaviour, either at the micro or macro scale. The economics of the Stern Review has been accepted by governments and the public as mainstream economic thinking on climate change, when in some critical respects it represents a radical departure from the traditional treatment. The conclusions regarding economic policy for climate change have shifted from “do little, later” to “take strong action urgently, before it is too late”. This editorial sets out four issues of critical importance to the new conclusions about avoiding dangerous climate change, each of which have been either ignored by the traditional literature or treated in a misleading way that discounts the insights from other disciplines: the complexity of the global energy-economy system (including the poverty and sustainability aspects of development), the ethics of intergenerational equity, the understanding from engineering and history about path dependence and induced technological change, and finally the politics of climate policy.
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Barker, T. and Foxon, T. (2008). Achieving the G8 50% Target: Modelling Induced and Accelerated Technological Change Using the Macro-econometric Model E3MG. Climate Policy, 8 (1): S30-45
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This article assesses the feasibility of a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 using a large-scale Post Keynesian simulation model of the global energy—environment—economy system. The main policy to achieve the target is a carbon price rising to $100/tCO2 by 2050, attained through auctioned CO2 permits for the energy sector, and carbon taxes for the rest of the economy. This policy induces technological change. However, this price is insufficient, and global CO2 would be only about 15% below 2000 levels by 2050. In order to achieve the target, additional policies have been modelled in a portfolio, with the auction and tax revenues partly recycled to support investment in low-GHG technologies in energy, manufacturing and transportation, and ‘no-regrets’ options for buildings.This direct support supplements the effects of the increases in carbon prices, so that the accelerated adoption of new technologies leads to lower unit costs. In addition the $100/tCO2 price is reached earlier, by 2030, strengthening the price signal. In a low-carbon society, as modelled, GDP is slightly above the baseline as a consequence of more rapid development induced by more investment and increased technological change.
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Bonilla, D. and Foxon, T. (2008). The Demand for New Car Fuel Economy of Gasoline and Diesel in the UK.. Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, 43 (1): 55-83
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During the past thirty years, governments have sought to stimulate improvements in new car fuel economy to contribute to air quality, energy security, and climate change goals. We analysed the demand for new car fuel economy in the UK using a two-stage econometric model to investigate the drivers of this demand in the short and long terms over the period 1970–2004. We found that higher incomes and long-term price changes were the main drivers to achieve improvements in fuel economy, particularly for petrol cars, and that new car fuel economy changes were scarcely affected by the Voluntary Agreement on CO2 emissions reductions adopted in the 1990s. We found, in agreement with other studies, that the demand for fuel economy was price inelastic for both fuels. Our calculated long-term income elasticity (petrol with −0.31 and diesel fuels with −0.20) values are above the range of international studies for petrol but within the range for diesel. An aggregate model of fuel economy gives a fuel price elasticity of −0.32 and an elasticity of −0.26 with respect to UK disposable income.
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Khler, J, Barker, T. and Jin, Y. (2008). Integrated modelling of EU transport policy assessing economic growth impacts from social marginal cost procing and infastructure investments. Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, 42 (1): 1-21
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This paper combines SCENES, an EU transport model with E3ME, an EU macroeconometric model. Social Marginal Cost Pricing (SMCP) and fuel tax increases were combined with a concentrated TEN-T programme. Large externalities mean an SMCP with very high revenues; if recycled through reductions in other, distortional taxes, GDP significantly increases. France, Italy, and Finland have the largest GDP increases; Denmark, France, and Sweden have the largest employment increases. These results are critically dependent on the revenue recycling, demonstrating the importance of a full macroeconomic analysis, including the fiscal policy implications, combined with a detailed analysis of the transport impacts.
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Strachan, N, Foxon, T. and Fujino, J. (2008). Policy implications from modelling long term senarios for low carbon societies. Climate Policy, 8 (1): S17-S29
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No abstract available
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Strachan, N, Pye, S. and Hughes, N. (2008). International drivers of a UK evolution to a low carbon society. Climate Policy, 8: S125-S139
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No abstract available
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Strachan, N. and Kannan, R. (2008). Hybrid modelling of long-term carbon reduction scenarios for the UK. Energy Economics, 30 (6): 2947-2963
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No abstract available
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Strachan, N., Foxon, T., and Fuchino, J. (2008). Low Carbon Society Modelling. Climate Policy, 8 (2008): S3-S4
Show Abstract
Under the Japan—UK research project ‘Low-Carbon Society (LCS) Scenarios Towards 2050’, an international modelling comparison was undertaken by nine national teams, with a strong developing-country focus. Core model runs were a Base case, a Carbon price case (rising to $100/tCO2 by 2050) and a Carbon-plus case to investigate an LCS scenario with a 50% reduction in global CO2 emissions by 2050. The comparison emphasis was to focus on individual model strengths (notably technological change, international emissions trading, non-price (sustainable development) mechanisms and behavioural change) rather than a common integrated assumption set. A complex picture of long-term LCS scenarios comes from the range of model types and geographical scale (global vs. national); however, common themes for policy makers do emerge. A core finding is that LCS scenarios are technologically feasible. However, preferred pathways require clear and early target setting and incorporation of emissions targets across all economic activities. This will probably entail significant socio-economic changes. To realize major LCS transitions requires sustained progress in R&D and deployment of a broad range of technologies, with carbon capture and storage (CCS) a key technology in most low-carbon portfolios. Developing countries, in particular, face an immense challenge to achieve LCS in light of their economic growth requirements. As such, international cooperation is required in iterative and flexible burden sharing under international emissions trading regimes.
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UKERC Research Report
Barker, Terry and Foxon, Tim (2008). The Macroeconomic Rebound Effect and the UK Economy. UKERC Report UKERC/RR/ESM/2008/001. UKERC
Show Abstract
The study examines the macroeconomic rebound effect for the UK economy, arising from UK energy efficiency policies and programmes for 2000-2010. The work explores the relationships between energy efficiency, energy consumption, economic growth and policy interventions using a well-established and highly detailed macroeconomic model of the UK economy. The work has been carried out in response to a call from the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), with the support of Defra’s energy-efficiency policy team. As the focus of this study is to assess the magnitude of the macroeconomic rebound effect, the projections given in the report should not be taken as forecasts of future UK economic or environmental performance, e.g. the projections given here will differ from those in the 2006 Climate Change Programme.
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UKERC Working Paper
Anandarajah, G, Strachan, N, Ekins, P, Kannan. and Hughes, N. (2008). Pathways to a Low Carbon Economy: Energy Systems Modelling - working paper. UKERC Report UKERC/WP/ESM/2008/001. UKERC
Show Abstract
This report is the first in the UKERC Energy 2050 project series. It focuses on a range of low carbon scenarios underpinned by energy systems analysis using the newly developed and updated UK MARKAL elastic demand (MED) model. Such modelling is designed to develop insights on a range of scenarios of future energy system evolution and the resultant technology pathways, sectoral trade-offs and economic implications. Long-term energy scenario-modelling analysis is characterised by deep uncertainty over a range of drivers including resources, technology development, and behavioural change and policy mechanisms. Therefore, subsequent UKERC Energy 2050 reports focus on a broad scope of sensitivity analysis to investigate alternative scenarios of energy system evolution. In particularly, these alternative scenarios investigate different drivers of the UK’s energy supply and demand, and combine the twin goals of decarbonisation and energy system resilience. Future analysis includes the use of complementary macro-econometric and detailed sectoral energy models.
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Energy and Environment (Environmental Sustainability)
UKERC Working Paper
Holloway, S and Rowley, W. J. (2008). Environmental Sustainability of Electricity Generation Systems with Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage. UKERC Report UKERC/WP/ES/2008/002. UKERC
Show Abstract
This working paper analyses the environmental sustainability of four electricity production systems that include carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS):
- Pulverised coal (PC)
- Pulverised coal with oxyfuel combustion (PCOC)
- Natural gas combined cycle (NGCC), and
- Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC)
The analysis is based largely on a review of relevant Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs). Thus it considers the environmental sustainability of the entire electricity generation chain from fuel extraction through electricity generation and CO2 capture to CO2 storage.
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Rowe, R, Whitaker, J, Chapman, J, Howard, D and Taylor, G (2008). Life cycle assessment in the bioenergy sector: developing a systematic review. UKERC Report UKERC/WP/FSE/2008/002. UKERC
Show Abstract
The study has used a systematic selection and analysis procedure to assess each LCA, collating data on the energy and GHG balances of liquid transport fuels and biomass for heat and power. This consistent approach will produce a dataset which can be used to uniquely compare the energy and GHG balances of these two uses of biomass. The representation of collated LCAs as straightforward visual summaries highlights variations within methodology, system boundaries and reporting.
Although this study is ongoing, several issues relating to the lack of transparency of LCA reporting have already become apparent. Common obstacles to reviewing this subject have been in successfully identifying system boundaries, co-product allocation methods and conversion efficiencies used in the LCAs being analysed. Therefore, a set of recommendations for LCA reporting are listed at the end of this report.
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Workshop Report
Keay-Bright, S, Begg, K. and Linley, A. (2008). UKERC spatial planning for marine renewable energy arrays workshops. UKERC Report UKERC/MR/MP/2009/004. UKERC
Show Abstract
Two workshops brought together around 40 experts including policy makers and advisors, scientists, businesses and civil society organisations to provide a neutral forum, under Chatham House rules, for full and frank dialogue to discuss measures for maximising the sustainability marine energy arrays within the UK government target timescales. The first workshop, “Marine Planning for Arrays: Social, economic and environmental issues and implications”, examined the social, economic and environmental impacts and cumulative impacts relating to siting and deployment of arrays and how to integrate the assessment and management of these using a holistic approach that considers the entire marine and coastal system. The second workshop, “Marine spatial planning for the deployment of arrays”, examined the marine planning policy context, simplification of consenting, locational criteria and models under development to aid decision-making.
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Keay-Bright, S, Begg, K. and Linley, A. (2008). UKERC spatial planning for marine renewable energy arrays workshops: Executive summary. UKERC Report UKERC/MR/MP/2009/005. UKERC
Show Abstract
Two workshops brought together around 40 experts including policy makers and advisors, scientists, businesses and civil society organisations to provide a neutral forum, under Chatham House rules, for full and frank dialogue to discuss measures for maximising the sustainability marine energy arrays within the UK government target timescales. The first workshop, “Marine Planning for Arrays: Social, economic and environmental issues and implications”, examined the social, economic and environmental impacts and cumulative impacts relating to siting and deployment of arrays and how to integrate the assessment and management of these using a holistic approach that considers the entire marine and coastal system. The second workshop, “Marine spatial planning for the deployment of arrays”, examined the marine planning policy context, simplification of consenting, locational criteria and models under development to aid decision-making.
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Future Sources of Energy
Book
Freris, L and Infield, D. (2008). Renewable Energy in Power Systems. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-470-01749-4 (300 pp.)
Show Abstract
Renewable Energy (RE) sources differ from conventional sources in that, generally they cannot be scheduled, they are much smaller than conventional power stations and are often connected to the electricity distribution system rather than the transmission system. The integration of such time variable ‘distributed’ or ‘embedded’ sources into electricity networks requires special consideration.
This new book addresses these special issues and covers the following:
- The characteristics of conventional and RE generators with particular reference to the variable nature of RE from wind, solar, small hydro and marine sources over time scales ranging from seconds to months
- The power balance and frequency stability in a network with increasing inputs from variable sources and the technical and economic implications of increased penetration from such sources with special reference to demand side management
- The conversion of energy into electricity from RE sources and the type and characteristics of generators used
- The requirement to condition the power from RE sources and the type and mode of operation of the power electronic converters used to interface such generators to the grid
- The flow of power over networks supplied from conventional plus RE sources with particular reference to voltage control and protection
- The economics and trading of ‘green’ electricity in national and international deregulated markets
- The expected developments in RE technology and the future shape of power systems where the penetration from RE sources is large and where substantial operational and control benefits will be derived from extensive use of power electronic interfaces and controllers
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Journal Article
Taylor, G, Tallis, M.J, Giardina, C.P, Percy, K.E, Miglietta, F, Gupta, P.S, Gioli, B, Calfapietra, C, Gielen, B, Kubiske, M.E, Scarascia-Mugnozza, G.E, Kets, K, Long, S.P. and Karnosky, D.F. (2008). Future atmospheric CO2 leads to delayed autumnal senescence. Global Change Biology, 14: 264-275
Show Abstract
No abstract available
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Taylor, G. (2008). UKERC bioenergy-current activity. British Bioenergy News, 7: -
Show Abstract
No abstract available
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Wilkinson, M, Gilfillan, S.M.V. Haszeldine, R.S. and Ballentine, C.J. (2008). Plumbing the depths - testing natural tracers of subsurface CO2 origin and migration. AAPG Studies, 59 (-): 1-16
Show Abstract
No abstract available
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UKERC Working Paper
Rowe, R, Whitaker, J, Chapman, J, Howard, D and Taylor, G (2008). Life cycle assessment in the bioenergy sector: developing a systematic review. UKERC Report UKERC/WP/FSE/2008/002. UKERC
Show Abstract
The study has used a systematic selection and analysis procedure to assess each LCA, collating data on the energy and GHG balances of liquid transport fuels and biomass for heat and power. This consistent approach will produce a dataset which can be used to uniquely compare the energy and GHG balances of these two uses of biomass. The representation of collated LCAs as straightforward visual summaries highlights variations within methodology, system boundaries and reporting.
Although this study is ongoing, several issues relating to the lack of transparency of LCA reporting have already become apparent. Common obstacles to reviewing this subject have been in successfully identifying system boundaries, co-product allocation methods and conversion efficiencies used in the LCAs being analysed. Therefore, a set of recommendations for LCA reporting are listed at the end of this report.
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Winskel, M., Markusson, N., Jeffrey, H., Jablonski, S., Candelise, C., Ward, D. and Howarth, P. (2008). Technology Change and Energy Systems: Learning Pathways for Future Sources of Energy. UKERC
Show Abstract
No abstract available
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Materials for Advanced Energy Systems
Book Chapter
Benson-Smith, J and Nelson, J. (2008). Organic donor-acceptor heterojunction solar cells. In Archer, M.D and Nozik, A.J. (Ed.) (Eds) Nanostructured and Photoelectrochemical Systems for Solar Photon Conversion (Chapter 7). Imperial College Press. ISBN 9781860942556
Show Abstract
In this book, expert authors describe advanced solar photon conversion approaches that promise highly efficient photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical cells with sophisticated architectures on the one hand, and plastic photovoltaic coatings that are inexpensive enough to be disposable on the other. Their leitmotifs include light-induced exciton generation, junction architectures that lead to efficient exciton dissociation, and charge collection by percolation through mesoscale phases. Photocatalysis is closely related to photoelectrochemistry, and the fundamentals of both disciplines are covered in this volume.
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Journal Article
Ballantyne, A.M, Chen, L, Dane, J, Hammant, T, Braun, F.M, Heeney, M, Duffy, W, McCulloch, I, Bradley, D.D.C. and Nelson J. (2008). The effect of the poly(3-hexylthiophene)molecular weight on charge transport and the performaance of polymer:fullerene solar cells. Advanced Functional Materials, 18 (16): 2373-2380
Show Abstract
The time-of-flight method has been used to study the effect of P3HT molecular weight (Mn ¼ 13–121 kDa) on charge mobility in pristine and PCBM blend films using highly regioregular P3HT. Hole mobility was observed to remain constant at 10-4 cm2 V-1 s-1 as molecular weight was increased from 13–18 kDa, but then decreased by one order of magnitude as molecular weight was further increased from 34–121 kDa. The decrease in charge mobility observed in blend films is accompanied by a change in surface morphology, and leads to a decrease in the performance of photovoltaic devices made from these blend films.
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Berenov, A, Angeles, E, Rossiny, J, Raj, E, Kilner, J.A. and Atkinson, A. (2008). Structure and transport in rare-earth ferrates. Solid State Ionics, 179 (21): 1090-1093
Show Abstract
The Rare-Earth ferrates REFeO3 (RE = La, Pr, Sm, Gd, Ho) were prepared by the citric acid route. The distortion in the FeO6 octahedron decreased with the decrease in the ionic radii (except for Ho) and the angle between adjacent FeO6 octahedra decreased with the ionic radius of the rare earth. Electrical conductivity showed semiconducting behaviour with a complex dependence of the activation energy on the ionic radii of RE ion. Fast oxygen desorption was observed above 300 °C. No effect of A-site cation on the coefficients of thermal expansion was observed.
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Brett, D.J.L, Atkinson, A, Brandon, N, P. and Skinner, S.J. (2008). Intermediate temperture solid oxide fuel cells. Chemistry Society Reviews, 37: 1568-1578
Show Abstract
High temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), typified by developers such as Siemens Westinghouse and Rolls-Royce, operate in the temperature region of 850–1000 °C. For such systems, very high efficiencies can be achieved from integration with gas turbines for large-scale stationary applications. However, high temperature operation means that the components of the stack need to be predominantly ceramic and high temperature metal alloys are needed for many balance-of-plant components. For smaller scale applications, where integration with a heat engine is not appropriate, there is a trend to move to lower temperatures of operation, into the so-called intermediate temperature (IT) range of 500–750 °C. This expands the choice of materials and stack geometries that can be used, offering reduced system cost and, in principle, reducing the corrosion rate of stack and system components.
This review introduces the IT-SOFC and explains the advantages of operation in this temperature regime. The main advances made in materials chemistry that have made IT operation possible are described and some of the engineering issues and the new opportunities that reduced temperature operation affords are discussed.
This tutorial review examines the advances being made in materials and engineering that are allowing solid oxide fuel cells to operate at lower temperature. The challenges and advantages of operating in the so-called ‘intermediate temperature’ range of 500–750 °C are discussed and the opportunities for applications not traditionally associated with solid oxide fuel cells are highlighted. This article serves as an introduction for scientists and engineers interested in intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells and the challenges and opportunities of reduced temperature operation.
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Burriel, M, Garcia, G, Santiso, J, Kilner, J.A, Richard, J.C.C. and Skinner, S.J. (2008). Anisotropic oxygen diffusion properties in epitaxial thin films of La2Ni04+delta. Journal of Material Chemistry, 18 (4): 416-422
Show Abstract
We report on the development and validation of a new methodology for the determination of anisotropic tracer diffusion and surface exchange coefficients of high quality epitaxial thin films in the two perpendicular directions (transverse and longitudinal), by the isotopic exchange technique. Measurements were performed on c-axis oriented La2NiO4+δ films grown on SrTiO3 (100) and NdGaO3 (110) by pulsed injection metal organic chemical vapour deposition (PIMOCVD), with different thicknesses ranging from 33 to 370 nm. The effect that the strain induced by the film–substrate mismatch has on the oxygen diffusion through the film was evaluated. Both tracer diffusion coefficients, along the c-axis and along the ab plane, were found to increase with film thickness, i.e., as the stress of the film decreases, while the thickness seems to have no effect on the tracer surface exchange coefficient. Best fits were obtained when considering the thickest films composed by two regions with different c-axis tracer diffusion coefficient values, a higher and constant D* close to the film surface and a variable decreasing D* closer to the substrate. As expected, the tracer diffusion and surface exchange coefficients are thermally activated and are approximately two orders of magnitude higher along the ab plane than along the c-axis. The low activation energies of D* compared with bulk values for both directions at low temperatures seem to confirm the contribution of a vacancy mechanism to the ionic conduction.
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Cleave, A.R, Kilner, J.A, Skinner, S.J, Murphy, S.T. and Grimes, R.W. (2008). Atomistic computer simulation of oxygen ion conduction mechanisms La2NiO4. Solid State Ionics, 179 (21): 823-826
Show Abstract
Atomistic computer simulation has been used to predict the most energetically favourable migration pathways for oxygen ion transport in tetragonal La2NiO4. Both interstitial and vacancy mechanisms have been investigated. All of the vacancy mechanisms studied exhibited lower activation energies than the interstitial process. The lowest energy process allowed migration in the a–b plane with an activation energy of 0.35 eV, migration along the c-axis was predicted to have an activation energy of 0.77 eV and interstitial migration in the a–b plane was found to have an energy barrier of 0.86 eV (in agreement with available experimental data).
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Davies, R.P, Less. R.J, Lickiss, P.D, Robertson, K. and White, A.J.P. (2008). Tetravalent Silicon Connectors MenSi(p-C6H4CO2H)4-n (n = 0, 1, 2) for the Construction of Metal-Organic Frameworks. Inorgamic Chemistry, 47: 9958 - 9964
Show Abstract
A series of silicon-centered connecting units, MenSi(p-C6H4CO2H)4−n (n = 0, 1, 2), have been prepared and their coordination polymers with Zn(II) metal atoms studied. The tetra-acid L1 (n = 0) acts as a tetrahedral node and reacts with Zn(II) centers to give 1, a novel interpenetrating 3D network containing distorted tetrahedral bimetallic secondary building units (SBUs). The triacid L2(n = 1) acts as a trigonal pyramidal node and forms an intercalated 2D layered network, 2, with Zn(II) ions, containing distorted octahedral tetranuclear SBUs. Last, the bent diacid L3 (n = 2) reacts with Zn(II) centers to give 3, a corrugated 2D layered structure containing 1D zinc hydroxo chains. Together these three new coordination polymers demonstrate the potential versatility of tetravalent silicon containing connecting ligands for metal−organic framework construction.
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Fearn, S, Rossiny, J. and Kilner, J.A. (2008). SIMS artifacts in the near surface depths profiling of oxygen conducting ceramics. Solid State Ionics, 179 (21): 811
Show Abstract
Using ultra low energy SIMS ion beams of oxygen and nitrogen, the very near surface region of an 16O annealed La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 pellet has been depth profiled in order to investigate the surface layer composition and to determine any perturbing ion beam–target interactions. By ratioing the measured cation species, the results indicate that only Sr segregation at the near surface can be clearly identified, and no separate oxide layer was present on the top surface. By monitoring the build up of the altered layer associated with SIMS depth profiling, it was observed that the depth at which the altered layer was fully formed was deeper than the expected projected range, Rp, of the ion beam. These results confirm Sr excess in the near surface, which will have an effect on the vacancy concentrationand therefore the surface exchange coefficient, k.
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Goodgame, D.M.L, Kealey, S, Lickiss, P.D. and White, A.J.P. (2008). Transition metal complexes of Cubic (T8) Oligo-Silsequioxanes. Journal of Molecular Structure, 890 (1-3): 232-239
Show Abstract
Acid hydrolysis of (EtO)3Si(CH2)3NH2 in the presence of ZnCl2 affords the silsesquioxanederivative [Si8O12((CH2)3NH3)8
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Higgins, S, Sammes, N.M, Smirnova, A, Kilner, J.A. and Tompsett, G. (2008). Yttrium-doped barium zirconates as ceramic conductors in the intermediate temperature range. Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology, 5 (1): -
Show Abstract
A modified Pechini process has been used to synthesize perovskite-structured yttrium-doped barium zirconate of the form BaZr0.85Y0.15O3-δ (BZY15). The X-ray diffraction pattern for the sintered material (5h at 1500°C) confirms a cubic structure with unit cell parameter of 8.424 Å. Scanning electron microscopy images reveal a dense electrolyte structure. Thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) was also conducted on the material to determine possible endothermic and exothermic peaks and phase transformations. Raman spectroscopy data indicated that the most intense band in the spectrum of BZY15 occurs at 616cm−1, which suggests that cubic zirconia (Zr-O) vibrations are present. No bands were observed for secondary oxides, such as BaO, which would have a characteristic sharp band at 949cm−1, or Y2O3, whose characteristic band occurs at 376cm−1. AC-impedance measurements at 600°C indicate that the conductivity of the sample is higher in humidified gases compared to dry ones and has the lowest value in humidified air.
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Jasper, A., Kilner, J.A. and McComb, D.W. (2008). TEM and impedance spectroscopy of doped ceria electrolytes. Solid State Ionics, 179 (21): 904
Show Abstract
Preliminary investigations are presented into the grain boundary structure of gadolinia doped ceria by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) imaging using a 300 kV field emission FEI TITAN 80/300 monochromated transmission electron microscope, with a spatial resolution of < 0.2 nm. Impedance spectroscopy over the temperature range 150–350 °C and frequency range 0.1 Hz–10 MHz has been used to separate the contribution to the total conductivity of the grain interior and grain boundary for ceramic samples. The samples were fabricated from powder of composition Ce1 − xGdxO2 − δ, x = 0.1 (CGO10) and x = 0.2 (CGO20) which were obtained from three different commercial suppliers.These impedance measurements have been correlated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the material microstructure in order to estimate the specific grain boundary conductivity. The bricklayer model has been used to interpret the impedance data, which show wide variation in specific grain boundary conductivity between samples of the same nominal composition. No grain boundary second phases have been observed at any boundaries and the grain boundary blocking effect has been attributed to the presence of space charge layers. HR-TEM studies at these interfaces reveal defect structures, which may play a significant role in the grain boundary conductivity behaviour of these materials.
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Kwiatkowski, J.J, Frost, J.M, Kirkpatrick, J. and Nelson, J. (2008). Zero point fluctuations in naphthalene and their effect on charge transport parameters. Journal of Physical Chemistry, 112 (38): 91139117
Show Abstract
We calculate the effect of vibronic coupling on the charge transport parameters in crystalline naphthalene, between 0 and 400 K. We find that nuclear fluctuations can cause large changes in both the energy of a charge on a molecule and on the electronic coupling between molecules. As a result, nuclear fluctuations cause wide distributions of both energies and couplings. We show that these distributions have a small temperature dependence and that, even at high temperatures, vibronic coupling is dominated by the effect of zero-point fluctuations. Because of the importance of zero-point fluctuations, we find that the distributions of energies and couplings have substantial width, even at 0 K. Furthermore, vibronic coupling with high energy modes may be significant, even though these modes are never thermally activated. Our results have implications for the temperature dependence of charge mobilities in organic semiconductors.
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Kwiatkowski, J.J, Frost, J.M. and Nelson, J. (2008). The effect of morphology on electron field-effect mobility in disordered C60 thin-films. Nano Letters, 9 (3): 10851090
Show Abstract
We present a model of polycrystalline C60 field-effect transistors (FETs) that incorporates the microscopic structural and electronic details of the C60 films. We generate disorderedpolycrystalline thin films by simulating the physical-vapor deposition process. We simulate electron hopping transport using a Monte Carlo method and electronic structure calculations. Our model reproduces experimentally observed FET characteristics, including electrical characteristics, electrochemical potentials, and charge mobilities. Our results suggest that even relatively disordered films have charge mobilities that are only a factor of 2 smaller than mobilities in single crystals.
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Laguna-Bercero, M.L, Skinner, S, J. and Kilner, J.A (2008). Novel electrode materials for solid oxide fuel cells and electrolysers - Presentation. 8th European Fuel Cell Forum, Lucerne, Switzerland, -: -
Show Abstract
In this poster we present La2NiO4+δ (LNO) as a novel potential electrode for both SOFCs and SOECs. Results of the chemical stability of the LNO with cubic zirconia electrolytes are discussed. We have also studied the cathodic behaviour on symmetrical cells of LNO deposited on 10Sc1CeSZ (10% Sc2O3 and 1%CeO doped ZrO2) pellets by AC impedance spectroscopy.
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Lickiss. P.D. and Rataboul. F. (2008). Fully Condensed Polyhedral Oligosilsesquioxanes (POSS): From Synthesis to Application. Advances in Organometallic Chemistry, 57 (21): 1-116
Show Abstract
The synthesis, characterisation, chemistry and uses of a wide arrange of polyhedral silsesquioxanes of the general formula SinO3/2nRn (where R=H, alkyl, aryl, etc., and n=4, 6, 8, 10 etc.) is described. Much of the discussion is centred on the compounds Si8O12R8 which have become important building blocks for a wide range of materials useful in, for example, nanocomposites, dendrimers, and optical materials. The synthesis of POSS molecules can be carried out from monomeric Si-containing precursors or by modification of more complicated siloxanes, these various methods are described. The physical properties and spectroscopic parameters of many POSS compounds are also described together with a review of computational studies on their structures.
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Scott, D.J, Coveney, P.V, Kilner, J.A, Rossiny, J.C.H. and Alford, N.M.N. (2008). Prediction of the functional properties of ceramic materials from compositions using artificial neural networks. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 27 (16): 4425-4435
Show Abstract
We describe the development of artificial neural networks (ANN) for the prediction of the properties of ceramic materials. The ceramics studied here include polycrystalline, inorganic, non-metallic materials and are investigated on the basis of their dielectric and ionic properties. Dielectric materials are of interest in telecommunication applications, where they are used in tuning and filtering equipment. Ionic and mixed conductors are the subjects of a concerted effort in the search for new materials that can be incorporated into efficient, clean electrochemical devices of interest in energy production and greenhouse gas reduction applications. Multi-layer perceptron ANNs are trained using the back-propagation algorithm and utilise data obtained from the literature to learn composition–property relationships between the inputs and outputs of the system. The trained networksuse compositional information to predict the relative permittivity and oxygen diffusion properties of ceramic materials. The results show that ANNs are able to produce accurate predictions of the properties of these ceramic materials, which can be used to develop materials suitable for use in telecommunication and energy production applications.
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Scott, D.J, Manos, S, Coveney, P.V, Rossiny, J.C.H, Fearn, S, Kilner, J.A, Pullar, R.C, Alford, N.M.N, Axelsson, A.K, Zhang, Y, Chen, L, yang, S, Evans, J.R.G. and Sebastian, M.T. (2008). Functional ceramic materials database: An online resource for materials research. Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, 48 (2): 449-455
Show Abstract
We present work on the creation of a ceramic materials database which contains data gleaned from literature data sets as well as new data obtained from combinatorial experiments on the London University Search Instrument. At the time of this writing, the database contains data related to two main groups of materials, mainly in the perovskite family. Permittivity measurements of electroceramic materials are the first area of interest, while ion diffusion measurements of oxygen ion conductors are the second. The nature of the database design does not restrict the type of measurements which can be stored; as the available data increase, the database may become a generic, publicly available ceramic materials resource.
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Stuart, P.A, Unno, T, Ayres-Rocha, R, Djurado, E. and Skinner, S.J. (2008). The synthesis and sintering behaviour of BaZr0.9Y0.1O3δ powders by spray pyrolysis. European Ceramic Society, 29 (4): 697-702
Show Abstract
No abstract available
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Stuart, P.A, Unno, T, Kilner, J.A. and Skinner, S.J. (2008). Solid oxide proton conducting steam electrolysers. Solid State Ionics, 179 (21): 1120-1124
Show Abstract
No abstract available
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Stuart, P.A., Unno, T., Kilner, J.A., Skinner, S.J. (2008). Solid oxide proton conducting steam electrolysers. Solid State Ionics, 179 (21): 1120â1124
Show Abstract
No abstract available
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Tang, J, Durrant, J.R. and Klug, D.R. (2008). Mechanism of photocatalytic water splitting in TiO2. Recreation of water with photoholes, importance of charge carrier dynamics. Journal of American Chemical Society, 130 (42): 13885-13891
Show Abstract
No abstract available
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Vladikova, D.E., Stoynov, Z.B, Barbucci, A, Viviani, M, Carpanese, P, Kilner, J.A, Skinner, S.J, Rudkin, R. (2008). Impedance studies of cathode/electrolyte behaviour in SOFC. Electrochimica Acta, 53 (25): 7491
Show Abstract
No abstract available
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Wann, D.A, Less, R.J, Rataboul, F, McCaffrey, P.D, Reilly, A.M, Robertson, H.E, Lickiss, P.D. and Rankin, D.W.H. (2008). Accurate Gas-Phase Experimental Structures of Octa-Silsesquioxanes (Si8O12X8; X = H, Me). Organometallics, 27 (16): 4183-4187
Show Abstract
No abstract available
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Technology and Policy Assessment
Book
Conference Paper
Journal Article
Gross, R. and Heptonstall, P. (2008). The costs and impacts of intermittency: An ongoing debate. Energy Policy, 36 (10): 4005-4007
Show Abstract
A recent issue of Energy Policy carried a new contribution to the ongoing debate over the implications of a high penetration of wind power for the UK electricity system [Oswald, J., Raine, M., Ashraf-Ball, H., 2008. Will British weather provide reliable electricity? Energy Policy 36 (8), 3202–3215
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Skea, J, Anderson, D, Green, T, Gross, R, Heptonstall, P. and Leach, M (2008). Intermittent renewable generation and the cost of maintaining power system reliability.. IET Generation Transmission and Distribution, 2 (1): 82-89
Show Abstract
There have been attempts, using various approaches, to assess the additional cost of running an electricity system when intermittent renewable generation is used to provide a significant proportion of the energy. The key issues are the difference, in statistical terms, between the resource availability of the intermittent source and conventional generation and the contribution the intermittent source can make to meet the system peak demand while maintaining system reliability. There is considerable agreement over the capacity credits that can be attributed to renewable energy sources, that is the amount of conventional capacity that renewables can reliably displace, yet the implications for costs have proved more controversial. Approaches to calculate changes in overall system cost are examined and an expression for the additional cost that intermittent generation imposes on a systemthat is attributable to its intermittent nature is identified. Further, it is shown that this expression can be reconciled with approaches that look at intermittent renewables on a stand-alone basis and factor in the additional costs of ‘standby’ capacity. It is shown that the main source of divergence between estimates of the cost of intermittency is the load factor implicitly assumed for the conventional plant used as a reference. There is only one consistent way to impute the costs of intermittency when the unit cost of intermittent plant is being compared with that of baseload generation plant.
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Sorrell, S. and Dimitripoulos, J. (2008). The rebound effect: microeconomic definitions, limitations and extensions. Ecological Economics, 65 (3): 636-649
Show Abstract
The rebound effect results in part from an increased consumption of energy services following an improvement in the technical efficiency of delivering those services. This increased consumption offsets the energy savings that may otherwise be achieved. If the rebound effect is sufficiently large it may undermine the rationale for policy measures to encourage energy efficiency.
The nature and magnitude of the rebound effect is the focus of long-running dispute with energy economics. This paper brings together previous theoretical work to provide a rigorous definition of the rebound effect, to clarify key conceptual issues and to highlight the potential consequences of various assumptions for empirical estimates of the effect. The focus is on the direct rebound effect for a single energy service — indirect and economy-wide rebound effects are not discussed.
Beginning with Khazzoom's original definition of the rebound effect, we expose the limitations of three simplifying assumptions on which this definition is based. First, we argue that capital costs form an important part of the total cost of providing energy services and that empirical studies that estimate rebound effects from variations in energy prices are prone to bias. Second, we argue that energy efficiency should be treated as an endogenous variable and that empirical estimates of the rebound effect may need to apply a simultaneous equation model to capture the joint determination of key variables. Third, we explore the implications of the opportunity costs of time in the production of energy services and highlight the consequences for energy use of improved ‘time efficiency’, the influence of time costs on the rebound effect and the existence of a parallel rebound effect with respect to time. Each of these considerations serves to highlight the difficulties in obtaining reliable estimates of the rebound effect and the different factors that need to be controlled for. We discuss the implications of these findings for econometric studies and argue that several existing studies may overestimate the magnitude of the effect.
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No Research Area applies
Consultation Response
Chalmers, H, Haszeldine, S, Gibbins,J and Hardy, J (2008). UKERC response to the BERR consultation Towards Carbon Capture and Storage.
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- Carbon capture and storage (CCS) can be a critical CO2 reduction technology for the UK. CCS is now commencing the early pre-commercial demonstration stages worldwide, with the objective of widespread commercial deployment by 2020 - 2025.
- It is very unlikely that a CCS plant will operate in the UK until additional costs are covered by appropriate financial support.
- Many estimates exist of the support needed to avoid losses on demonstration plant, typically stated to be a total of € 70-100 per ton CO2. Several approaches are suggested here to regulate or incentivise CCS.
- At the nascent stage of CCS development and deployment, there is a role for Government to provide public education so as to enable citizens directly affected by CCS to understand and make decision about the technology.
- Lessons learned in UK and EU CCS demonstration projects should be shared globally.
- A wide and encompassing specification of capture ready is needed, to ensure feasible conversion to CCS, when it is required by regulation and/or economically justified.
- Capture ready design is a very important set of practical actions during the design and building of new power plant or other combustion plant, which can be utilised to ensure that CCS retrofit is possible and, hence, avoid “locked-in” high carbon emissions from fossil fuel use in future.
- BERR has already given Section 36 planning consent to Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) power plants including a condition that they are capture ready, but without a clear definition of this condition.
- There is potential for strategic planning of the transport and storage system to provide significant benefits.
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Hardy, J (2008). UKERC response to the consultation on proposals for a Scottish Climate Change Bill.
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The UK Energy Research Centre welcomes this opportunity to provide input to the Scottish Government’s Consultation on proposals for a Scottish Climate Change Bill. We have addressed a number of the questions posed in the consultation document calling on all UKERC members for input.
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Hardy, J and Infield, D (2008). UKERC response to the Internal Market Sub-Committee (Sub-Committee B) of the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union inquiry into the EUs 20% renewable energy target.
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To meet the EU 15% renewable energy target will be a significant challenge for the UK. It is important to understand that reductions in the UK’s total energy demand will produce proportional reductions in the renewable contribution required. Although self-evident, this simple fact is often overlooked. Indeed the UK has to date failed to achieve any reductions in energy use, in fact the reverse is true: energy consumption in the key sectors of electricity and energy for transport continues to rise steadily.
In addition to reducing the demand for energy, there will need to be a massive increase in the contribution of renewables to transport fuel (predominately biofuels), heat and electricity. This submission concentrates on renewable electricity because UKERC has core competency this area. In Table 1, below, UKERC presents an illustrative scenario for the contribution ofrenewable electricity technologies towards the 2020 target. In this scenario 41% of UK electricity will need to be generated by renewables, most likely dominated by wind power (28%) and biomass (7%). This will be extremely challenging both in terms of renewable energy generation plant installation rates and the world capacity to build and deliver the technology, and also in terms of integration issues. Immediate and wide scale mobilisation of resources (human and otherwise) is required.
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Hardy, J. (2008). UKERC response to the BERR consultation UK Renewable Energy Strategy.
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The UK Energy Research Centre welcomes this opportunity to provide input to the BERR Consultation on the UK Renewable Energy Strategy. We have addressed a number of the questions posed in the consultation document calling on all UKERC members for input.
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Haszeldine, S,Chalmers, H, Gibbins, J, Markusson, N, and Skea, J (2008). Response to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee inquiry on Carbon Capture and Storage.
Show Abstract
- Carbon capture and storage (CCS) can be a critical CO2 reduction technology for the UK. CCS is now commencing the early pre-commercial demonstration stages worldwide, with the objective of widespread commercial deployment by 2020 - 2025.
- Capture ready design is a very important set of practical actions during the design and building of new power plant, which can be utilised at a later date, to enable the avoidance of “locked-in” high carbon emissions in future.
- BERR has already given Section 36 planning consent to Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) power plants including a condition that they are capture ready, but without a clear definition of this condition.
- The Kingsnorth plant is currently awaiting a decision on capture ready requirements for coal-fired power plants in the UK. This has become a focus for objectors.
- A wideand encompassing specification of capture ready is needed, to ensure feasible conversion to CCS, when it is required by regulation and/or economically justified.
- It is very unlikely that a CCS plant will operate in the UK until additional costs are covered by appropriate financial support.
- Many estimates exist of the support needed to avoid losses on demonstration plant, typically stated to be a total of € 70-100 per ton CO2. Several approaches are suggested here to regulate or incentivise CCS.
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Research Atlas Roadmap
Howarth, P.J.A. (2008). Nuclear Fission Energy Roadmap.
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No abstract available
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Mueller, M. and Jeffrey, H. (2008). UKERC Marine (Wave and Tidal Current) Renewable Energy Technology Roadmap.
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This document is a technology roadmap: it provides a guide for mobilising the wave and tidal energy community in the UK down a deployment pathway towards a target of achieving 2GW installed capacity by 2020.
The roadmap is aimed at providing a focused and coherent approach to technology development in the marine sector, whilst taking into account the needs of other stakeholders. The successful implementation of the technology roadmap depends upon a number of complex interactions between commercial, political and technical aspects.
Although this roadmap is technically focused it also considers policy, environmental and commercialisation aspects of the marine energy sector, in order to display and put in context these wider influences.
The roadmap is aimed at technology developers, project developers, policy makers, government bodies, investors (public and private), the supply chain, consultants, and academics, in order to aid coherent progression of the sector.
Although the roadmap has been written with the UK community in mind, it is expected that its core technical aspects will be applicable internationally, if modifications for a particular country’s policy, regulation and infrastructure context are taken into consideration.
It should be stressed that the roadmap is a living document: it will evolve and be maintained over time according to technology advances, changes in policy, an understanding of the environment, and the changing overall landscape of the sector.
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Workshop Report
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