Decentralised Energy

The energy system is undergoing a fundamental transformation – from fossil to renewable energy, from central power plants to distributed, decentralised generation facilities such as rooftop solar panels or wind parks, from utilities to private residents as producers of energy, and from analogue to digital. This book looks at the energy transformation from two complementary angles: governance and business model innovation. On the one side, governance is a decisive factor for the success of the transformation because it can act as an accelerator, or it can delay the process. On the other side, entrepreneurs and corporate decision-makers provide new business models for a decentralised energy world. Based on best practices, country studies and interviews with CEOs and founders of startups from all over the world, the “Global Game Changer” suggests eight key principles for political decision-makers to successfully implement the transformation, and six core competencies for corporate decision-makers to thrive in the new marketplace.

Der Tagungsband enthält die wissenschaftlichen Beiträge der Konferenz "Mikro-Perspektiven auf dezentrale Energieversorgung" vom 23. bis 24.4.2015 in Bangalore, Indien. Die Beiträge umfassen eine große Bandbreite an Themen von technischen Herausforderungen dezentraler Energieversorgung über Konzepte für DC Micro Grids bis zu Finanzierungs- und Geschäftsmodellen für die Implementierung dieser innovativen Technologien. Weiterhin enthält der Band Beiträge zu Planungs- und Governance-Stratgien, historische Analysen der Infrastrukturentwicklung und Technologie-Bewertung. Mit Fallstudien zu dezentraler Energieversorgung von Indien, Bangladesch, Ägypten, Äthiopien, Kenia, Nigeria, Tansanie und Brasilien geben die Artikel einen guten Überblick über die globalen Entwickung in diesem Sektor. The Proceedings present the scientific contributions of the Conference "Micro Perspectives for Decentralized Energy Supply" from 23rd till 24th of April in Bangalore, India. The papers cover a broad range of topics ranging from technical challenges of decentralized energy supply and concepts for solar DC micro grids till financing and business models for the implementation of those innovative technologies. The volume also contains contributions about planning and governance strategies, historical analyses of the infrastructural development and technology assessments. With case studies on decentralised energy supply from e.g. India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Brazil the papers give a good overview of the development of this sector all over the world.

Government provides support to households who install small-scale renewable energy systems through Feed-in Tariffs (FiT), while large scale projects like off-shore wind farms will soon be supported through new fixed-price Contracts for Difference (CfDs). Medium sized energy projects of between 10 - 50 Megawatts (MW) currently fall in the gap and do not receive support. Giving communities a stake in local energy projects has the potential to broaden public understanding of energy issues and could also enhance the security and efficiency of the energy system as a whole. This report identifies a number of barriers that can prevent local energy projects getting off the ground. Securing funding and Power Purchase Agreements, connecting to the grid and overcoming public opposition can all prove difficult. Obtaining planning permission can be costly and time-consuming, and the risk of losing tens of thousands of pounds if permission is not granted is a huge obstacle for community groups or small cooperatives. Some form of support mechanism is needed alongside a comprehensive package of measures addressing finance, planning, grid access and advice. The Green Investment Bank could provide seed funding and project development funding for feasibility studies, grid permits, etc to reduce some of the risk in getting projects through the planning process. Government needs to do more to encourage local authorities to identify suitable areas for renewable energy development and to develop clear guidance about what is expected from local energy projects. National level planning guidance should be provided on technical issues that hold up planning consent for wind turbines and other low-carbon technologies

This book explores the changing economics, regulations, and operations of electricity distribution networks. It highlights the central challenges and opportunities caused by the rise of decentralisation paradigm in the power system within this segment of the electricity supply chain. As decarbonisation objectives continue to transform the power sector, the distribution system experiences an increased penetration of energy and flexibility resources that come from a variety of sizes, technologies, and capabilities. This makes traditional approaches to economic, regulation and operation of electricity distribution networks obsolete. This book aims to provide insights into the ways which decarbonisation, decentralisation and digitalisation trends in the electricity sector will eventually shape future of distribution grids. It will be relevant to students, researchers, and policymakers interested in energy economics, the political economy of energy, and the electricity sector.

The acute energy problems facing China today are characterized by their own histories and realities. Some have come about because of China's energy endowment and stage of development, while others have been created by a combination of domestic and global factors. Some are the results of an accumulation of longstanding contradictions, while others are new challenges posed by the new order. There are no "miracle cures" to solve these problems instantly. What is needed is a tireless enquiry, with goals, planning and procedures, guided by a clear energy strategy. With China's increasing dependence on foreign energy sources, and the global energy situation and greenhouse gas issue exerting an increasingly prohibiting effect on China's energy development, energy diplomacy has become an important component of Chinese diplomatic affairs. Based on a "broad energy outlook", this book studies and analyzes China's energy issues and energy strategies from the perspective of electric power. Discusses a variety of issues, including energy transportation and allocation, end-user consumption, markets, early warning and emergency, technical innovation As a leading player in the power and energy area, China’s strategies attracts global attention Proposes the innovative idea of "Macro Energy Perspective" As a key player in China's energy industrial circle, the author's perspective can help global audiences to understand China's energy strategies better Electric Power and Energy in China is ideal for government energy policy makers, engineers, scientists and enterprise managers to understand China’s strategy in electric power and energy. It is also a good reference for energy economics researchers, consultants and university students.