Sustainable Energy and Smart Grids: Breakthrough in Thinking, Modelling, and Technology
One of the greatest challenges modern society faces is the supply of sustainable energy. One fundamental issue is finding the right portfolio of energy sources that are environmentally safe and cost-effective. This case study discusses the challenges of electric energy systems and how to integrate sustainable energy resources and smart grid developments.
Sustainable Energy Sources
The Future of Sustainable Energy
High renewable electricity futures can result in deep reductions in
electric
sector greenhouse gas emissions and water use. Direct environmental
and
social implications are associated with the high renewable futures
examined,
including reduced electric sector air emissions and water use
resulting from
reduced fossil energy consumption, and increased land use
competition and
associated issues. NREL - Renewable Electricity Futures Study, 2013.
Changing to a sustainable intermittent or non-intermittent energy
source is
not a trivial matter. It has taken generations to build up the
current energy
system; it will probably also take decades to change to a completely
renewable
and sustainable power system. Figure 6 presents the vision that
renewable
energy sources are mainly harvested where they are available (hydro
energy
in mountainous regions, solar energy closer to the equator, wind
energy more
offshore) and that a smart super grid is used to connect everything.
Figure 6. Renewable Energy Sources and Super Grids in Europe and North Africa