European energy supply

In the decades ahead we face the major task of drastically reducing the environmental impact associated with our power supply. When it comes to SO2 and NOx emissions, major strides forward have been made. The challenge now is to do the same for CO2. Over the next 40 years we need to reduce the climate impact of power generation to zero, while at the same time increasing the share of renewable energy sources.

A growing number of parties now accept a target of 80-100% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 (relative to 1990). This is no longer just environmental NGOs, but also the European Commission, the US president, Eurelectric and the Dutch energy trade associations Netbeheer Nederland, VME and EnergieNed.

Government policy remains absolutely crucial. CE Delft sees it as a pivotal part of its work to help make sure it is in the interests of energy consumers and suppliers alike to save energy and use renewably energy sources. By regulating the market, it is in the government’s power to ensure market parties achieve the targets with due haste.

Our expertise

For many of our clients we conduct research on the potential of various energy technologies (renewable as well as fossil) and the kinds of government policy needed to successfully realise the transition to sustainable energy systems. In addition, we provide strategic consultancy on new policies and their impacts.

The research and consultancy performed by CE Delft are concerned with the following issues:

Flexibility
Given the major share of renewably-sourced electricity projected in the years ahead (35% in 2020) there will be a growing need for increased systems flexibility. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, including flexible gas-fired plant, energy storage sys-tems and appropriate back-up capacity.

Renewable energy: from subsidised to mandatory
In the wake of the credit crisis, governments are having to introduce austerity packages, leaving little funds available for subsidising renewables. Widespread introduction will therefore need to be financed by energy consumers, and energy companies will need to have a interest in making major investments in wind farms and biomass-fuelled generating capacity. A statutory obligation for renewable plant would seem to be the best way forward, with subsidies being introduced to help develop the new technologies required.

Development of CCS
If there is to be effective reduction of atmospheric CO2 levels, unorthodox measures will be needed and carbon capture and storage (CCS) is one of the options that will have to be pursued. CE Delft is engaged in several studies on CO2 capture (oxy-fuel technologies) and transport/storage.

Infrastructure: energy grids for the energy transition
The required transformation of the energy supply (less fossil, more renewables) sets new demands on gas and electricity distribution grids. This means bolstering up grids not only at the local level, for input from decentralised capacity, but also in terms of national distribution capacity, for input from wind farms. Gas grids will need to be rendered suitable for gas derived from biomass.

Our clients

On this theme CE Delft works for environmental NGOs (Netherlands Society for Nature and Environment, Greenpeace, Transport & Environment), energy companies (E.On, Electrabel, Nuon, Essent, Eneco, VME, EnergieNed, Eurelectric), grid operators (Stedin, Netbeheer Ned-erland, TenneT, Gasunie) and government agencies (Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, DG Environment, DG Tren, EEA).

For further information,
please contact Frans Rooijers