2050 Energy Infrastructure Outlook - Final Report
Abstract:
The 2050 Energy Infrastructure Outlook project provides data on the costs associated with key types of fixed energy infrastructure as well as identifying possible ‘grey areas’ where technology development could significantly influence cost and performance. The project gathered data on different types of infrastructure associated with electricity, gas, hydrogen and heat. It also looked at infrastructure types: transmission, distribution, storage, conversion and connections. The data itself looked at costs relating to capital, fixed/variable operating and maintenance, abandonment (‘infrastructure decommissioning’) and repurposing (‘altering existing infrastructure’).
This is the final report summarising the approach to the project, development of the data tool and the findings from evaluating technology development opportunities in the networks. In the report, sections 2 & 3 cover the scope and approach to the project including the test cases that were agreed in the earlier workshops. Section 4 describes the spatial analysis used to determine how the different vectors are affected by geography including a reference to the maps generated for the test projects in the tool. Sections 5 & 6 are concerned with the analysis undertaken by the project team and workshop groups in looking at near and longer term potential implications for network development. Sections 7 & 8 describe the database itself (the user manual will go into more detail on how to use the tool) and finally Sections 9 & 10 describe opportunities for future technology development and developments of the tool outside of the current scope, identified by the project team and the workshop group.
In order to ensure the project reflected the widest possible set of outcomes, a number of test cases of possible energy trajectories out to 2050 were developed with the ETI Steering Group through a workshop and with input from the project team. Key influencing factors taken into consideration were decisions over centralised v decentralised systems, particularly in relation to generation; decisions over ‘pipes v wires’, particularly in relation to hydrogen; and the extent to which space heating is electrified. The test cases were
- High Electricity: a world in which electricity becomes the dominant energy vector requiring upgrading of related electricity infrastructure. This test case assumes a predominantly centralised approach to generation and transmission.
- High Heat: a world in which there is considerable progress in rolling out heat networks in urban centres, with the mix of energy vectors otherwise being similar to today. The test case suggests a more decentralised infrastructure with more localised forms of generation.
- High Hydrogen: a world in which a transmission and distribution network for hydrogen is developed.
Complimentary to this work, research opportunities for each vector were explored to identify priority areas for each vector. For all vectors, storage is an area in which there are anumber of research opportunities, particularly at transmission level. Possibilities include flywheels and cryogenic liquid air storage for electricity, or geologic interseasonal storage for heat.
Publication Year:
2013
Publisher:
ETI
Author(s):
Cook, H.
Energy Category
Class Name:
Subclass Name:
Category Name:
Language:
English
File Type:
application/pdf
File Size:
11653555 B
Rights:
Energy Technologies Institute Open Licence for Materials
Rights Overview:
The Energy Technologies Institute is making this document available to use under the Energy Technologies Institute Open Licence for Materials. Please refer to the Energy Technologies Institute website for the terms and conditions of this licence. The Information is licensed "as is" and the Energy Technologies Institute excludes all representations, warranties, obligations and liabilities in relation to the Information to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Energy Technologies Institute is not liable for any errors or omissions in the Information and shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage of any kind caused by its use. This exclusion of liability includes, but is not limited to, any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages in each case such as loss of revenue, data, anticipated profits, and lost business. The Energy Technologies Institute does not guarantee the continued supply of the Information. Notwithstanding any statement to the contrary contained on the face of this document, the Energy Technologies Institute confirms that it has the right to publish this document.
Further information:
N/A
Region:
United Kingdom
Related Dataset(s):
No related datasets
Related Project(s):
