Most people would agree that the use of renewable energy is important to help achieve the SDGs. However, the question of “how and which technologies are most effective to use” has not been thoroughly explored. This study will reveal the optimal use of various renewable energy technologies.
Availability of various renewable energy sources
Although solar photovoltaic and wind power generation has attracted attention as renewable energy, it is possible to use heat produced by solar radiation and burning of woody biomass for hot water supply and air conditioning. It is also expected in Japan surrounded by the sea to generate electric power from wave power and seawater heat. Aiming for future low carbon society, it is important to use various renewable energy sources smartly.
Draw scenarios till 2050
The use of renewable energy brings benefits of not only reduction of greenhouse gas but also development of local economies and increase in energy security. Types of benefits brought are different according to when, where and which renewable energy technologies are introduced. Depending on what is emphasized in society as a whole, e.g., affordable energy supply or development of local economies, the effective ways to introduce renewable energy are different. In this study, taking account of characteristics of various renewable energy technologies as well as natural and social characteristics of the regions, where to be introduced, we draw potential scenarios of large-scale introduction of renewable energy technologies for different future social visions.
Toward the effective ways to introduce renewable energy
By analyzing the derived scenarios, we will reveal effective ways to introduce renewable energy as well as strategic plans to construct energy infrastructure for the future.
This study is supported by Environment Research and Technology Development Fund (2-1804) of the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan.