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Dedication
To Godfrey Boyle, a friend, colleague and visionary, much missed
Renewable Energy
Can it Deliver?
David Elliott
polity
Copyright page
Copyright © David Elliott 2020
The right of David Elliott to be identified as Author of this Work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
First published in 2020 by Polity Press
Polity Press
65 Bridge Street
Cambridge CB2 1UR, UK
Polity Press
101 Station Landing
Suite 300
Medford, MA 02155, USA
All rights reserved. Except for the quotation of short passages for the purpose of criticism and review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.
ISBN-13: 978-1-5095-4163-8
ISBN-13: 978-1-5095-4164-5 (pb)
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Elliott, David, 1943- author.
Title: Renewable energy : can it deliver? / David Elliott.
Description: Cambridge, UK ; Medford, MA, USA : Polity, 2020. | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Summary: “An incisive introduction to renewable energy and its global expansion”-- Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019052504 (print) | LCCN 2019052505 (ebook) | ISBN 9781509541638 | ISBN 9781509541645 (pb) | ISBN 9781509541652 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Renewable energy sources.
Classification: LCC TJ808 .E453 2020 (print) | LCC TJ808 (ebook) | DDC 333.79/4--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019052504
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019052505
The publisher has used its best endeavours to ensure that the URLs for external websites referred to in this book are correct and active at the time of going to press. However, the publisher has no responsibility for the websites and can make no guarantee that a site will remain live or that the content is or will remain appropriate.
Every effort has been made to trace all copyright holders, but if any have been overlooked the publisher will be pleased to include any necessary credits in any subsequent reprint or edition.
For further information on Polity, visit our website: politybooks.com
Acknowledgements
Thanks for some criticism, advice and input from Tam Dougan, editor of the long-running Renew newsletter, previously based at the Open University and now run independently.
Abbreviations
BECCSbioenergy with carbon capture and storageBECCUbioenergy with carbon capture and utilizationCCScarbon capture and storageCCUcarbon capture and utilizationCHPcombined heat and powerCO2carbon dioxideCSPconcentrated solar powerDACSdirect air capture and storageEROEIenergy return on energy investedGDPgross domestic productIEAInternational Energy AgencyIRENAInternational Renewable Energy AgencyLNGliquid natural gasLUT/EWGLappeenranta University of Technology/Energy Watch GroupNETnegative emissions technologyNGOnon-governmental organizationP2Gpower-to-gasPVphotovoltaic solar powerREN21Renewable Energy Network for the 21st CenturyWECWorld Energy Council
Preface
The use of renewable energy is spreading rapidly, and some claim that wind, solar and other renewables can and will become the dominant global energy sources within a few decades, thus avoiding major climate change problems. Concerns about climate change have been a key driver, leading to growing government support. However, the falling cost of renewable energy has also become a major driver. Some renewable energy technologies are now competitive across the board and costs continue to fall, with a new commercial dynamic adding impetus to their uptake. This book asks whether that trend will be sufficient to ensure that renewables expand fast enough globally to
