The Future of European Electricity: Choices Before 2020

CEPS Policy Brief No. 164

12 Pages Posted: 28 Jan 2009

See all articles by Gunnar S. Eskeland

Gunnar S. Eskeland

Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) - Department of Business and Management Science; Foundation for Research in Economics and Business Administration

Eberhard Jochem

ETH Zürich

Henry Neufeldt

University of East Anglia (UEA) - Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research

Thure Traber

Technical Univeristy of Denmark

Nathan Rive

Center for International Climate and Environmental Research (CICERO)

Arno Behrens

Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)

Date Written: July 8, 2008

Abstract

For some time now, CEPS has participated in a project funded by the European Commission called 'Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies: Supporting European Climate Policy' (ADAM). One research stream within the ADAM project focuses on the implications of mitigation and adaptation strategies for the electricity sector. Apart from mitigation of climate change, the electricity sector will also need to adapt to global warming. A warmer world requires less heating and more cooling. It also changes river flows and the frequency of extreme weather events, as well as the ability to generate electricity and to deliver it without disruptions. The ADAM project therefore also explores the links and feedbacks between adaptation and mitigation.

This ADAM-CEPS policy brief elaborates on these issues from a research perspective, but in a policy-relevant way. Section 1 describes the impacts of a warming world on the electricity system with regards to electricity demand and supply, and elaborates on the necessary adaptation strategies. Section 2 analyses policy instruments in support of the necessary transition, and explores biases as regards political feasibility. Section 3 analyses technologies and technological change, both for short-term emission reductions until 2020 and with a longer-term view on a low carbon electricity system in Europe. Finally, section 4 deals with opportunities and challenges of different policies for the European electricity sector in a global context.

Keywords: Climate Change, International Climate Change Regime

Suggested Citation

Eskeland, Gunnar S. and Jochem, Eberhard and Neufeldt, Henry and Traber, Thure and Rive, Nathan and Behrens, Arno, The Future of European Electricity: Choices Before 2020 (July 8, 2008). CEPS Policy Brief No. 164, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1333622 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1333622

Gunnar S. Eskeland (Contact Author)

Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) - Department of Business and Management Science ( email )

Helleveien 30
Bergen, NO-5045
Norway
+4755959699 (Phone)

Foundation for Research in Economics and Business Administration ( email )

Breiviksveien 40
Bergen, N-5045
Norway
+47 55959699 (Phone)

Eberhard Jochem

ETH Zürich ( email )

Zürichbergstrasse 18
8092 Zurich, CH-1015
Switzerland

Henry Neufeldt

University of East Anglia (UEA) - Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research ( email )

Norwich, Norfolk
United Kingdom

Thure Traber

Technical Univeristy of Denmark ( email )

Anker Engelundsvej 1
Copenhagen, 2800
Denmark

Nathan Rive

Center for International Climate and Environmental Research (CICERO) ( email )

P.O. Box 1129 Blindern
Oslo, N-0317
United States

Arno Behrens

Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) ( email )

1 Place du Congres, 1000
Brussels, 1000
Belgium

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