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HomeGlobal energy and climate outlook 2019
Electrification for the low-carbon transition : the role of electrification in low-carbon pathways, with a global and regional focus on EU and China
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This edition of the Global Energy and Climate Outlook (GECO) analyses the role of electrification in global transition pathways to a low Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions economy. Electricity is found to be an increasingly important energy carrier in final energy consumption already in the absence of stronger climate policies than those currently in place (Reference scenario), while enhanced electrification of final energy demand is a crucial element of the 2°C temperature change scenario, paving the way to climate neutrality. The 2°C target could be achieved by simultaneously transforming various elements of the energy system: shifting final energy demand from mainly fossil fuels towards electricity and low-carbon synthetic fuels mainly derived from electricity; decarbonising power generation; increasing energy efficiency in end-uses, which is favoured by further electrification; and mobilising novel options to better accommodate high shares of intermittent renewable electricity sources, such as demand-side load management and power storage. This report further shows that the 2°C target is technically possible at relatively low cost for the overall economy (global GDP reduction below 1% across all sensitivities compared to Reference in 2050). This would also bring along co-benefits for air quality. In order to explore the role that electrification can play as an emissions mitigation option, a number of sensitivity variants on key parameters impacting the energy system – energy prices, cost of technologies, non-economic drivers related to behaviour and policy – are conducted. The role of electricity is examined by large sector (industry, transport, buildings, power generation), with a particular regional focus on the EU and China and a sectoral focus on road transport electrification.
- Published:
- Corporate author(s): Joint Research Centre (European Commission)
- Personal author(s): Keramidas, K ; Tamba, M ; Diaz-Vazquez, A. R ; Wen, X ; Chai, Q ; Van Dingenen, R ; Tchung-Ming, S ; Krause, J ; Vandyck, T ; Soria-Ramirez, A ; Fu, S ; Weitzel, M
- Themes: Energy policy , Environment policy and protection of the environment
- Subject: adaptation to climate change , carbon capture and storage , China , clean technology , climate change , climate change policy , electrical energy , electricity supply , energy efficiency , energy technology , environmental policy , environmental protection , European Union , greenhouse gas , quality of the environment , research report , sustainable development
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| ISSN 1831-9424 | ISBN 978-92-76-15065-7 | DOI 10.2760/350805 | Catalogue number KJ-NA-30053-EN-N |
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| ISSN 1018-5593 | ISBN 978-92-76-15066-4 | DOI 10.2760/58255 | Catalogue number KJ-NA-30053-EN-C |