Needs And Barriers Of Prosumerism In The Energy Transition Era

The effective enforcement of energy transition is one of the keys to the successful fight to climate change. The interplay between the sustainable UN Agenda 2030 goals is a new interesting ground for the development of intersectorial and multidisciplinary studies. Thanks to University of Camerino which is focused on the contamination between different scientific areas and really engaged in strengthening international research, a group composed by more than forty researchers of ten different nationalities is studying the energy policies and the new phenomenon of energy prosumerism. This book is the first direct result of the research activities granted by University of Camerino under the Programme FAR 2019 in the ECPE Project ‘Enabling Consumer to become Prosumer in the Energy transition era’ (more details about the project ECPE are available at https://ecpe.unicam.it/). The object of this book is to collect and analyze the main barriers to self-consumption and prosumerism. Difficult as it is to discuss all obstacles in a single volume, the book focuses on selected barriers which impede the development of new types of fossil free energy production and consuption. The energy communities could play a central role in the implementation of the energy transition strategies, but legal, social, economic, political and cultural barriers can hinder their spread. To analyze the barriers and to find how to eliminate the obstacles to energy transition policies is pivotal to enhance research activities focused on the new EU Regulatory framework. Most in general it is crucial a multidisciplinary approach focused on the fight to climate change and the implementation of sustainable development. In this book are collected several articles which offer a different perspective on the energy transition barriers form different points of view and under different methodologies. The book is composed of four parties. The first one is dedicated to the analysis of the methodology and the results offered by questionnaires supplied online in two languages (Italian/English). The survey is the basis of the Working Paper which is the deliverable of the ECPE Work Programme n. 2 and which constitutes the ground for a discussion into the research group. The second part of the volume collects the contributions focused on the social and economic barriers to prosumerism, while the third one is dedicated to a description of failure cases of self consumption. Lesson learned by failure experiences in the world could favour a good implementation of the new EU Directive Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001 ( RED II) and Directive on common, rules for the internal market for electricity 2019/944 ( IEM) in Italy an European Country which is strategic in the Energy policy of the Foreword 1 Mediterranean area. The last part of the book is composed of the visions and perspectives offered by Italian testimonials engaged as actors in the new energy market with different roles. I am grateful for the generous support given by the editorial staff composed by Gopi Battinemi, Roberto Garetto, Federico Pascucci, Giovanni Russo and Karina Zabrodina, precious collaborators and valid researchers. Thanks also to the Scientific Committee which honoured our work: Marine Cornelis, Francisco Lledó Yagüe and Luis E. Quintero. As editor I am sure you will appreciate the volume which would like to offer an insight on new issues and challenges offered by the energy transition era.

The global energy scenario is undergoing an unprecedented transition. In the wake of enormous challenges—such as increased population, higher energy demands, increasing greenhouse gas emissions, depleting fossil fuel reserves, volatile energy prices, geopolitical concerns, and energy insecurity issues—the energy sector is experiencing a transition in terms of energy resources and their utilization. This modern transition is historically more dynamic and multidimensional compared to the past considering the vast technological advancements, socioeconomic implications and political responses, and ever-evolving global policies and regulations. Energy insecurity in terms of its critical dimensions—access, affordability, and reliability—remains a major problem hindering the socioeconomic progress in developing countries. The Handbook of Energy Transitions presents a holistic account of the 21st-century energy transition away from fossil fuels. It provides an overview of the unfolding transition in terms of overall dimensions, drivers, trends, barriers, policies, and geopolitics, and then discusses transition in terms of particular resources or technologies, such as renewable energy systems, solar energy, hydropower, hydrogen and fuel cells, electric vehicles, energy storage systems, batteries, digitalization, smart grids, blockchain, and machine learning. It also discusses the present energy transition in terms of broader policy and developmental perspectives. Further, it examines sustainable development, the economics of energy and green growth, and the role of various technologies and initiatives like renewables, nuclear power, and electrification in promoting energy security and energy transition worldwide. Key Features Includes technical, economic, social, and policy perspectives of energy transitions Features practical case studies and comparative assessments Examines the latest renewable energy and low-carbon technologies Explains the connection between energy transition and global climate change

At a time when climate-change deniers hold the reins of power in the United States and international greenhouse gas negotiations continue at a slow crawl, what options are available to cities, companies, and consumers around the world who seek a cleaner future? Scott Victor Valentine, Marilyn A. Brown, and Benjamin K. Sovacool explore developments and strategies that will help fast-track the transition to renewable energy. They provide an expert analysis of the achievable steps that citizens, organizational leaders, and policy makers can take to put their commitments to sustainability into practice. Empowering the Great Energy Transition examines trends that suggest a transition away from carbon-intensive energy sources is inevitable—there are too many forces for change at work to stop a shift to clean energy. Yet under the status quo, change will be too slow to avert the worst consequences of climate change. Humanity is on a path to incur avoidable social, environmental, and economic costs. Valentine, Brown, and Sovacool argue that new policies and business models are needed to surmount the hurdles separating the current consumption model from a sustainable energy future. Empowering the Great Energy Transition shows that with well-placed efforts, we can set humanity on a course that supports entrepreneurs and communities in mitigating the environmental harm caused by technologies whose time has come and gone.

This open access book presents the proceedings of the 2nd Africa-EU Renewable Energy Research and Innovation Symposium (RERIS 18), held in Maseru, Lesotho in January 2018. The symposium aimed to foster research cooperation on renewable energy between Africa and Europe – in academia, as well as the private and public sectors. Addressing thematic areas such as • Grid-connected renewable energy; • Decentralised renewable and household energy solutions; • Energy socioeconomics; and • Promotion of energy research, innovation, education and entrepreneurship, the book brings together contributions from academics and practitioners from the EU and Africa to enable mutual learning and knowledge transfer – a key factor in boosting sustainable development in the African renewable energy market. It also plays a significant role in promoting African renewable energy research, which helps to secure energy supply in both rural and urban areas and to increase generation capacities and energy system resilience. This book is an invaluable resource for academics and professionals across the renewable energy spectrum.

Present energy systems are undergoing a radical transformation, driven by the urgent need to address the climate change crisis. At the same time, we are witnessing the sharp growth of energy data and a revolution of advanced technologies, with artificial intelligence (AI) and Blockchain emerging as two of the most transformative technologies of our time. The convergence of these two technologies has the potential to create a paradigm shift in the energy sector, enabling the development of smart energy systems that are more resilient, efficient, and sustainable. This book situates itself at the forefront of this paradigm shift, providing a timely and comprehensive guide to AI and Blockchain technologies in the energy system. Moving from an introduction to the basic concepts of smart energy systems, this book proceeds to examine the key challenges facing the energy system, and how AI and Blockchain can be used to address these challenges. Research examples are presented to showcase the role and impact of these new technologies, while the latest developed testbeds are summarised and explained to help researchers accelerate their development of these technologies. This book is an indispensable guide to the current changes in the energy system, being of particular use to industry professionals, from researchers to management, looking to stay ahead of technological developments.

A volume on the political economy of clean energy transition in developed and developing regions, with a focus on the issues that different countries face as they transition from fossil fuels to lower carbon technologies.

This open access book presents detailed pathways to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050, globally and across ten geographical regions. Based on state-of-the-art scenario modelling, it provides the vital missing link between renewable energy targets and the measures needed to achieve them. Bringing together the latest research in climate science, renewable energy technology, employment and resource impacts, the book breaks new ground by covering all the elements essential to achieving the ambitious climate mitigation targets set out in the Paris Climate Agreement. For example, sectoral implementation pathways, with special emphasis on differences between developed and developing countries and regional conditions, provide tools to implement the scenarios globally and domestically. Non-energy greenhouse gas mitigation scenarios define a sustainable pathway for land-use change and the agricultural sector. Furthermore, results of the impact of the scenarios on employment and mineral and resource requirements provide vital insight on economic and resource management implications. The book clearly demonstrates that the goals of the Paris Agreement are achievable and feasible with current technology and are beneficial in economic and employment terms. It is essential reading for anyone with responsibility for implementing renewable energy or climate targets internationally or domestically, including climate policy negotiators, policy-makers at all levels of government, businesses with renewable energy commitments, researchers and the renewable energy industry.

This outlook highlights climate-safe investment options until 2050, policies for transition and specific regional challenges. It also explores options to eventually cut emissions to zero.