This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.

Unclaimed
Johan Lilliestam
Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, Berliner Strasse 130, 14467 Potsdam, Germany

Honors and Awards

The user has no records in this section


Career Timeline

The user has no records in this section.


Short Biography

The user biography is not available.
Following
Followers
Co Authors
The list of users this user is following is empty.
Following: 0 users

Feed

Journal article
Published: 30 August 2021 in Energy
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Energy system models are advancing rapidly. However, it is not clear whether models are becoming better, in the sense that they address the questions that decision-makers need answered to make well-informed decisions. Therefore, we investigate the gap between model improvements relevant from the perspective of modellers compared to what users of model results think models should address. Thus, we ask: What are the differences between energy model improvements as perceived by modellers, and the actual needs of users of model results? To answer this question, we conducted a literature review, 32 interviews, and an online survey. Our results show that user needs and ongoing improvements of energy system models align to a large degree, so that future models are indeed likely to be better than current models. We also find mismatches between the needs of modellers and users, especially in modelling of social, behavioural and political aspects, the trade-off between model complexity and understandability, and the ways that model results should be communicated. Our findings suggest that a better understanding of user needs and closer cooperation between modellers and users is imperative to truly improve models and unlock their full potential to support the transition towards climate neutrality in Europe.

ACS Style

Diana Süsser; Hannes Gaschnig; Andrzej Ceglarz; Vassilis Stavrakas; Alexandros Flamos; Johan Lilliestam. Better suited or just more complex? On the fit between user needs and modeller-driven improvements of energy system models. Energy 2021, 121909 .

AMA Style

Diana Süsser, Hannes Gaschnig, Andrzej Ceglarz, Vassilis Stavrakas, Alexandros Flamos, Johan Lilliestam. Better suited or just more complex? On the fit between user needs and modeller-driven improvements of energy system models. Energy. 2021; ():121909.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Diana Süsser; Hannes Gaschnig; Andrzej Ceglarz; Vassilis Stavrakas; Alexandros Flamos; Johan Lilliestam. 2021. "Better suited or just more complex? On the fit between user needs and modeller-driven improvements of energy system models." Energy , no. : 121909.

Research article
Published: 29 May 2021 in Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy
Reads 0
Downloads 0

This article draws lessons from experiences of developing the photovoltaic (PV) and onshore wind power sectors in China for the development of Chinese Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) into an internationally competitive industry. We analyze the sectoral development with a framework that expands on the concept of lead markets, identifying factors that determine whether domestic industrial development paths may or may not generate export success. We find that the Chinese CSP sector has good potential for becoming internationally competitive because of a strong Chinese knowledge base, a clear eye for product quality, standard-setting, and a focus on the high-efficiency and large-storage technological routes most likely to see growing demand in future international markets. Chinese solar towers are already cheaper than international competitors and so far, appear reliable. However, continued and stable deployment support for CSP, designed to reward dispatchable solar power generation, enabling continued domestic learning-by-doing and -interacting is likely required to realize this export potential. To date, Chinese CSP policy has done many things right and, if the domestic market is maintained through renewed support, has put the Chinese industry well on the path to international competitiveness.

ACS Style

Alina Gilmanova; Zhifeng Wang; Jorrit Gosens; Johan Lilliestam. Building an internationally competitive concentrating solar power industry in China: lessons from wind power and photovoltaics. Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy 2021, 1 -27.

AMA Style

Alina Gilmanova, Zhifeng Wang, Jorrit Gosens, Johan Lilliestam. Building an internationally competitive concentrating solar power industry in China: lessons from wind power and photovoltaics. Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy. 2021; ():1-27.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alina Gilmanova; Zhifeng Wang; Jorrit Gosens; Johan Lilliestam. 2021. "Building an internationally competitive concentrating solar power industry in China: lessons from wind power and photovoltaics." Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy , no. : 1-27.

Journal article
Published: 25 May 2021 in Open Research Europe
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected societies and economies around the world, and the scientific community is no exception. Whereas the importance of stakeholder engagement in research has grown quickly for many EU projects, yet no research has studied the consequences of the pandemic on this. In this paper, we investigate the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on European energy research, in particular the stakeholder work, during the first wave of the coronavirus in spring and summer 2020. We pose the research questions: (i) How big of a problem are the coronavirus containment measures for stakeholder engagement? (ii) How have researchers coped with the situation, and (iii) How do they evaluate alternative stakeholder activities implemented? We conducted an online survey among European energy research projects with stakeholder engagement between June and August 2020. We found that only one of six engagement activities could be implemented as planned, whereas almost half were cancelled or delayed. The most common coping strategies were changing involvement formats – mainly to webinars or online workshops – or postponement. Webinars, online interviews, and online surveys were seen as the best online formats. Most respondents plan to continue using online formats to complement, but not to replace, physical meetings in future research. All long-term effects remain to be seen, but given the postponement of many stakeholder involvement activities, many projects may face problems at later stages of their realisation. These findings are highly relevant for funding institutions and provide important insights on coping strategies for fellow researchers beyond the energy field.

ACS Style

Diana Süsser; Andrzej Ceglarz; Vassilis Stavrakas; Johan Lilliestam. COVID-19 vs. stakeholder engagement: the impact of coronavirus containment measures on stakeholder involvement in European energy research projects. Open Research Europe 2021, 1, 57 .

AMA Style

Diana Süsser, Andrzej Ceglarz, Vassilis Stavrakas, Johan Lilliestam. COVID-19 vs. stakeholder engagement: the impact of coronavirus containment measures on stakeholder involvement in European energy research projects. Open Research Europe. 2021; 1 ():57.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Diana Süsser; Andrzej Ceglarz; Vassilis Stavrakas; Johan Lilliestam. 2021. "COVID-19 vs. stakeholder engagement: the impact of coronavirus containment measures on stakeholder involvement in European energy research projects." Open Research Europe 1, no. : 57.

Journal article
Published: 24 March 2021 in Energy Research & Social Science
Reads 0
Downloads 0

As energy models become more and more powerful, they are increasingly used to support energy policymaking. Although modelling has been used for policy advice for many years, there is little knowledge about how computer-based models actually influence policymaking, and to what extent policymakers influence the modelling process. Here, we empirically investigate (i) whether, how and when models influence the policymaking process, and (ii) whether, how and when policymakers influence the design, use and results of energy modelling. We analysed modelling and policy documents and conducted thirty-two interviews with different stakeholder groups in five different European jurisdictions. We show that models are used and have an impact on policymaking, especially by assessing impacts and supporting target setting, and sometimes by exploring policy options to reach these targets. We also show that policymakers influence models and modellers, especially by affecting data and assumptions, as well as the study scope, and by deciding how the modelling results are used. Hence, energy modelling and policymaking influence each other. In their exploratory mode, models can help investigate policy options and ambitious target setting. However, models can also be instrumentalised to justify already decided policies and targets. Our study implies that greater transparency, including open-source code and open data, and transdisciplinary elements in modelling could increase model legitimacy and impact in policymaking.

ACS Style

Diana Süsser; Andrzej Ceglarz; Hannes Gaschnig; Vassilis Stavrakas; Alexandros Flamos; George Giannakidis; Johan Lilliestam. Model-based policymaking or policy-based modelling? How energy models and energy policy interact. Energy Research & Social Science 2021, 75, 101984 .

AMA Style

Diana Süsser, Andrzej Ceglarz, Hannes Gaschnig, Vassilis Stavrakas, Alexandros Flamos, George Giannakidis, Johan Lilliestam. Model-based policymaking or policy-based modelling? How energy models and energy policy interact. Energy Research & Social Science. 2021; 75 ():101984.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Diana Süsser; Andrzej Ceglarz; Hannes Gaschnig; Vassilis Stavrakas; Alexandros Flamos; George Giannakidis; Johan Lilliestam. 2021. "Model-based policymaking or policy-based modelling? How energy models and energy policy interact." Energy Research & Social Science 75, no. : 101984.

Research article
Published: 02 January 2021 in Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Sustainable electricity systems need renewable and dispatchable energy sources. Solar energy is an abundant source of renewable energy globally which is, though, by nature only available during the day, and especially in clear weather conditions. We compare three technology configurations able to provide dispatchable solar power at times without sunshine: Photovoltaics (PV) combined with battery (BESS) or thermal energy storage (TES) and concentrating solar power (CSP) with TES. Modeling different periods without sunshine, we find that PV+BESS is competitive for shorter storage durations while CSP+TES gains economic advantages for longer storage periods (also over PV+TES). The corresponding tipping points lie at 2–3 hours (current cost), and 4–10 hours if expectations on future cost developments are taken into consideration. PV+TES becomes only more competitive than CSP+TES with immense additional cost reductions of PV. Hence, there remain distinct niches for two technologies: PV+BESS for short storage durations and CSP+TES for longer ones.

ACS Style

Franziska Schöniger; Richard Thonig; Gustav Resch; Johan Lilliestam. Making the sun shine at night: comparing the cost of dispatchable concentrating solar power and photovoltaics with storage. Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy 2021, 16, 55 -74.

AMA Style

Franziska Schöniger, Richard Thonig, Gustav Resch, Johan Lilliestam. Making the sun shine at night: comparing the cost of dispatchable concentrating solar power and photovoltaics with storage. Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy. 2021; 16 (1):55-74.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Franziska Schöniger; Richard Thonig; Gustav Resch; Johan Lilliestam. 2021. "Making the sun shine at night: comparing the cost of dispatchable concentrating solar power and photovoltaics with storage." Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy 16, no. 1: 55-74.

Review
Published: 30 September 2020 in WIREs Climate Change
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In order to achieve the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement, the world must reach net‐zero carbon emissions around mid‐century, which calls for an entirely new energy system. Carbon pricing, in the shape of taxes or emissions trading schemes, is often seen as the main, or only, necessary climate policy instrument, based on theoretical expectations that this would promote innovation and diffusion of the new technologies necessary for full decarbonization. Here, we review the empirical knowledge available in academic ex‐post analyses of the effectiveness of existing, comparatively high‐price carbon pricing schemes in the European Union, New Zealand, British Columbia, and the Nordic countries. Some articles find short‐term operational effects, especially fuel switching in existing assets, but no article finds mentionable effects on technological change. Critically, all articles examining the effects on zero‐carbon investment found that existing carbon pricing scheme have had no effect at all. We conclude that the effectiveness of carbon pricing in stimulating innovation and zero‐carbon investment remains a theoretical argument. So far, there is no empirical evidence of its effectiveness in promoting the technological change necessary for full decarbonization. This article is categorized under: Climate Economics > Economics of Mitigation

ACS Style

Johan Lilliestam; Anthony Patt; Germán Bersalli. The effect of carbon pricing on technological change for full energy decarbonization: A review of empirical ex‐post evidence. WIREs Climate Change 2020, 12, 1 .

AMA Style

Johan Lilliestam, Anthony Patt, Germán Bersalli. The effect of carbon pricing on technological change for full energy decarbonization: A review of empirical ex‐post evidence. WIREs Climate Change. 2020; 12 (1):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Johan Lilliestam; Anthony Patt; Germán Bersalli. 2020. "The effect of carbon pricing on technological change for full energy decarbonization: A review of empirical ex‐post evidence." WIREs Climate Change 12, no. 1: 1.

Journal article
Published: 13 January 2020 in Nature Energy
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Learning rates are a central concept in energy system models and integrated assessment models, as they allow researchers to project the future costs of new technologies and to optimize energy system costs. Here we argue that exchange rate fluctuations are an important, but thus far overlooked, determinant of the learning-rate variance observed in the literature. We explore how empirically observed global learning rates depend on where technologies are installed and which currency is used to calculate the learning rate. Using global data of large-scale photovoltaic (≥5 MW) plants, we show that the currency choice can result in learning-rate differences of up to 16 percentage points. We then introduce an adjustment factor to correct for the effect of exchange rate and market focus fluctuations and discuss the implications of our findings for innovation scholars, energy modellers and decision makers.

ACS Style

Johan Lilliestam; Marc Melliger; Lana Ollier; Tobias S. Schmidt; Bjarne Steffen. Understanding and accounting for the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on global learning rates. Nature Energy 2020, 5, 71 -78.

AMA Style

Johan Lilliestam, Marc Melliger, Lana Ollier, Tobias S. Schmidt, Bjarne Steffen. Understanding and accounting for the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on global learning rates. Nature Energy. 2020; 5 (1):71-78.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Johan Lilliestam; Marc Melliger; Lana Ollier; Tobias S. Schmidt; Bjarne Steffen. 2020. "Understanding and accounting for the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on global learning rates." Nature Energy 5, no. 1: 71-78.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2019 in Energy Strategy Reviews
Reads 0
Downloads 0
ACS Style

Tim Tröndle; Stefan Pfenninger; Johan Lilliestam. Home-made or imported: On the possibility for renewable electricity autarky on all scales in Europe. Energy Strategy Reviews 2019, 26, 1 .

AMA Style

Tim Tröndle, Stefan Pfenninger, Johan Lilliestam. Home-made or imported: On the possibility for renewable electricity autarky on all scales in Europe. Energy Strategy Reviews. 2019; 26 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tim Tröndle; Stefan Pfenninger; Johan Lilliestam. 2019. "Home-made or imported: On the possibility for renewable electricity autarky on all scales in Europe." Energy Strategy Reviews 26, no. : 1.

Research article
Published: 21 November 2018 in PLOS ONE
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Air pollution is the single most important environmental health risk, causing about 7 million premature deaths annually worldwide. China is the world's largest emitter of anthropogenic air pollutants, which causes major negative health consequences. The Chinese government has implemented several policies to reduce air pollution, with success in some but far from all sectors. In addition to the health benefits, reducing air pollution will have side-benefits, such as an increase in the electricity generated by the solar photovoltaic panels via an increase in surface solar irradiance through a reduction of haze and aerosol-impacted clouds. We use the global aerosol-climate model ECHAM6-HAM2 with the bottom-up emissions inventory from the Community Emission Data System and quantify the geographically specific increases in generation and economic revenue to the Chinese solar photovoltaic fleet as a result of reducing or eliminating air pollution from the energy, industrial, transport, and residential and commercial sectors. We find that by 2040, the gains will be substantial: the projected solar photovoltaic fleet would produce between 85-158 TWh/year of additional power in clean compared to polluted air, generating US$6.9-10.1 billion of additional annual revenues in the solar photovoltaic sector alone. Furthermore, we quantify the cost of adopting best-practice emission standards in all sectors and find that the revenue gains from the increased solar photovoltaic generation could offset up to about 13-17% of the costs of strong air pollution control measures designed to reach near-zero emissions in all sectors. Hence, reducing air pollution in China will not only have clear health benefits, but the side-effect of increased solar power generation would also offset a sizeable share of the costs of air pollution control measures.

ACS Style

Mercè Labordena; David Neubauer; Doris Folini; Anthony Patt; Johan Lilliestam. Blue skies over China: The effect of pollution-control on solar power generation and revenues. PLOS ONE 2018, 13, e0207028 .

AMA Style

Mercè Labordena, David Neubauer, Doris Folini, Anthony Patt, Johan Lilliestam. Blue skies over China: The effect of pollution-control on solar power generation and revenues. PLOS ONE. 2018; 13 (11):e0207028.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mercè Labordena; David Neubauer; Doris Folini; Anthony Patt; Johan Lilliestam. 2018. "Blue skies over China: The effect of pollution-control on solar power generation and revenues." PLOS ONE 13, no. 11: e0207028.

Journal article
Published: 07 September 2018 in Energy Research & Social Science
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Energy system and integrated assessment models (IAMs) are widely used techniques for knowledge production to assess costs of future energy pathways and economic effects of energy/climate policies. With their increased use for policy assessment and increasing dominance in energy policy science, such models attract increasing criticism. In the last years, such models – especially the highly complex IAMs, have been accused of being arbitrary. We challenge this view and argue that the models and their assumptions are not arbitrary, but they are normative and reflect the modelers’ understanding of the functioning of the society, the environment-societal relations and respective appropriate scientific tools and theories – in short: models are shaped by discursive structures, reproducing and reinforcing particular societal discourses. We identify 9 distinct paths, all relating to crucial model decisions, via which discourses enter models: for each of these decisions, there are multiple “correct” answers, in the sense that they can be justified within a particular discourse. We conclude that decisions of modelers about the structure and about assumptions in energy modeling are not arbitrary but contingent to the discursive context the modeler is related to. This has two implications. First, modelers and consumers of model output must reflect on what a model and its assumptions represent, and not only whether are they correct. Second, models hardly need to add more (mathematical) complexity, but rather be reduced and simplified so that they can continue to fulfill their main function as formalized and powerful instruments for thought experiments about future energy pathways.

ACS Style

Saskia Ellenbeck; Johan Lilliestam. How modelers construct energy costs: Discursive elements in Energy System and Integrated Assessment Models. Energy Research & Social Science 2018, 47, 69 -77.

AMA Style

Saskia Ellenbeck, Johan Lilliestam. How modelers construct energy costs: Discursive elements in Energy System and Integrated Assessment Models. Energy Research & Social Science. 2018; 47 ():69-77.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Saskia Ellenbeck; Johan Lilliestam. 2018. "How modelers construct energy costs: Discursive elements in Energy System and Integrated Assessment Models." Energy Research & Social Science 47, no. : 69-77.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2018 in Renewable Energy Focus
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The cheap power purchase agreements (PPAs) for two recent concentrating solar power (CSP) projects in Australia (Aurora) and Dubai (DEWA IV) raise questions of how such low costs can be achieved, and whether this could mark the commercial breakthrough of this technology. Here, we investigate these projects with the information available, and seek reasons for the low PPAs. Both projects have low technology costs – which are prerequisites but insufficient as explanations for the low bids. For Aurora, a key explanation is its business model that allows it to sell power outside the PPA, during high-price times when the sun sets and the growing PV fleet goes offline, revealing the market value of CSP. For DEWA IV, a key factor is its extraordinarily long PPA duration, but we expect that it also has very low financing costs. We conclude that both projects can probably be replicated, either in places with an increasing PV fleet and strong “duck curve” problems (replicating Aurora) or in places with low policy risks and access to cheap capital (replicating DEWA IV); such places could include the US, Southern Europe, or the Gulf region.

ACS Style

Johan Lilliestam; Robert Pitz-Paal. Concentrating solar power for less than USD 0.07 per kWh: finally the breakthrough? Renewable Energy Focus 2018, 26, 17 -21.

AMA Style

Johan Lilliestam, Robert Pitz-Paal. Concentrating solar power for less than USD 0.07 per kWh: finally the breakthrough? Renewable Energy Focus. 2018; 26 ():17-21.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Johan Lilliestam; Robert Pitz-Paal. 2018. "Concentrating solar power for less than USD 0.07 per kWh: finally the breakthrough?" Renewable Energy Focus 26, no. : 17-21.

Journal article
Published: 01 May 2018 in Energy Policy
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Concentrating solar power (CSP) is one of the few renewable electricity technologies that can offer dispatchable electricity at large scale. Thus, it may play an important role in the future, especially to balance fluctuating sources in increasingly renewables-based power systems. Today, its costs are higher than those of PV and wind power and, as most countries do not support CSP, deployment is slow. Unless the expansion gains pace and costs decrease, the industry may stagnate or collapse, and an important technology for climate change mitigation has been lost. Keeping CSP as a maturing technology for dispatchable renewable power thus requires measures to improve its short-term economic attractiveness and to continue reducing costs in the longer term. We suggest a set of three policy instruments – feed-in tariffs or auctions reflecting the value of dispatchable CSP, and not merely its cost; risk coverage support for innovative designs; and demonstration projects – to be deployed, in regions where CSP has a potentially large role to play. This could provide the CSP industry with a balance of attractive profits and competitive pressure, the incentive to expand CSP while also reducing its costs, making it ready for broad-scale deployment when it is needed.

ACS Style

Johan Lilliestam; Touria Barradi; Natalia Caldés; Marta Gomez; Susanne Hanger; Jürgen Kern; Nadejda Komendantova; Mark Mehos; Wai Mun Hong; Zhifeng Wang; Anthony Patt. Policies to keep and expand the option of concentrating solar power for dispatchable renewable electricity. Energy Policy 2018, 116, 193 -197.

AMA Style

Johan Lilliestam, Touria Barradi, Natalia Caldés, Marta Gomez, Susanne Hanger, Jürgen Kern, Nadejda Komendantova, Mark Mehos, Wai Mun Hong, Zhifeng Wang, Anthony Patt. Policies to keep and expand the option of concentrating solar power for dispatchable renewable electricity. Energy Policy. 2018; 116 ():193-197.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Johan Lilliestam; Touria Barradi; Natalia Caldés; Marta Gomez; Susanne Hanger; Jürgen Kern; Nadejda Komendantova; Mark Mehos; Wai Mun Hong; Zhifeng Wang; Anthony Patt. 2018. "Policies to keep and expand the option of concentrating solar power for dispatchable renewable electricity." Energy Policy 116, no. : 193-197.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2017 in Applied Energy
Reads 0
Downloads 0
ACS Style

Arsam Aryandoust; Johan Lilliestam. The potential and usefulness of demand response to provide electricity system services. Applied Energy 2017, 204, 749 -766.

AMA Style

Arsam Aryandoust, Johan Lilliestam. The potential and usefulness of demand response to provide electricity system services. Applied Energy. 2017; 204 ():749-766.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Arsam Aryandoust; Johan Lilliestam. 2017. "The potential and usefulness of demand response to provide electricity system services." Applied Energy 204, no. : 749-766.

Review
Published: 08 November 2016 in Resources
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Including stakeholder perspectives in environmental decision making is in many countries a legal requirement and is widely seen as beneficial as it can help increase decision legitimacy, likelihood of implementation, and quality of the outcome. Whereas the theoretical literature on stakeholder engagement is large, less attention has been devoted to comparing and discussing different methodological approaches. Here, we compare three approaches—multi-criteria analysis, plural rationality theory, and scenario construction—that include stakeholders’ perspectives in environmental decision making. We find differences between the approaches concerning the assumptions about stakeholder rationality and whether experts and/or stakeholders are in charge of framing the problem. Further differences concern the type of data input from stakeholders and how it is used by the experts, as well as the role of stakeholders and whether they are involved early—already for identifying options—or later in the process, for evaluating or ranking alternatives analyzed by the experts. The choice of approach thus predetermines the type and depth of stakeholder engagement. No approach is “better” than another, but they are suited for different problems and research aims: the choice of the approach, however, has a large impact on the results.

ACS Style

Anna Scolobig; Johan Lilliestam. Comparing Approaches for the Integration of Stakeholder Perspectives in Environmental Decision Making. Resources 2016, 5, 37 .

AMA Style

Anna Scolobig, Johan Lilliestam. Comparing Approaches for the Integration of Stakeholder Perspectives in Environmental Decision Making. Resources. 2016; 5 (4):37.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Scolobig; Johan Lilliestam. 2016. "Comparing Approaches for the Integration of Stakeholder Perspectives in Environmental Decision Making." Resources 5, no. 4: 37.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2016 in Energy Research & Social Science
Reads 0
Downloads 0

To decarbonise its electricity system, Europe must rapidly expand renewables. We analyse the controversy between two organisations, Eurosolar and Desertec, which seemingly pursue the same goal of 100% renewable electricity. We show that they interpret “100% renewables” differently and envision fundamentally different renewable electricity futures, to be reached through different governance pathways driven by different actors. Desertec reacts to mankind’s violation of the Earth’s carrying capacity and seeks secure decarbonisation through renewables, for which centrally regulated, large-scale imports of controllable concentrating solar power from the desert are necessary. Eurosolar, in contrast, seeks to decentralise the electricity supply and disempower the actors who caused the unsustainable and undemocratic energy system, for which renewables are suited as they are carbon-neutral and decentralised by nature. As the core aim of Desertec, controllable solar power imports through large-scale infrastructure, violates Eurosolar’s core aim of decentralisation, a compromise is difficult: this would require one organisation to give up its primary objective. Our results show that the reason for this controversy among renewables proponents lies not in technology or cost, and can thus not be identified or resolved through techno-economic analysis or modelling, but in irreconcilable differences in normative aims and governance choices

ACS Style

Johan Lilliestam; Susanne Hanger. Shades of green: Centralisation, decentralisation and controversy among European renewable electricity visions. Energy Research & Social Science 2016, 17, 20 -29.

AMA Style

Johan Lilliestam, Susanne Hanger. Shades of green: Centralisation, decentralisation and controversy among European renewable electricity visions. Energy Research & Social Science. 2016; 17 ():20-29.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Johan Lilliestam; Susanne Hanger. 2016. "Shades of green: Centralisation, decentralisation and controversy among European renewable electricity visions." Energy Research & Social Science 17, no. : 20-29.

Journal article
Published: 05 August 2015 in Energies
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have both large fossil fuel resources and vast renewable energy potentials. Here, we investigate in a literature meta-analysis and a survey, whether there is a need for renewables in the GCC, what barriers and risks presently deter investments, and what possible policy-solutions could be. We find that there is a long-term need for renewables, to diversify the economy and prepare for a post-fossil fuel era. In the short term, two main obstacles deter investments: inefficient bureaucracy, and the combination of fossil fuel/electricity subsidies and the absence of renewable energy support. Removing fossil fuel and consumption subsidies or introducing a support scheme could make investments in renewables profitable. Eliminating energy subsidies appears particularly beneficial to the economic outlook but this seems particularly difficult to implement, due to the political economy of rentier states. Increased bureaucratic transparency and efficiency is needed, so that potentially attractive investments can rapidly and predictably obtain the necessary permissions. Hence, the administrative and economic environment for renewable energy investments in the GCC is not right today, and no breakthrough is on the horizon, but there is a range of policy solutions to enable investments in the future.

ACS Style

Johan Lilliestam; Anthony Patt. Barriers, Risks and Policies for Renewables in the Gulf States. Energies 2015, 8, 8263 -8285.

AMA Style

Johan Lilliestam, Anthony Patt. Barriers, Risks and Policies for Renewables in the Gulf States. Energies. 2015; 8 (8):8263-8285.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Johan Lilliestam; Anthony Patt. 2015. "Barriers, Risks and Policies for Renewables in the Gulf States." Energies 8, no. 8: 8263-8285.