The key focus of the 2015 Paris agreement is to keep global warming during this century below 2 degrees Celsius. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, half of the emissions reductions will already be provided in case 36% of the global energy will come from renewable sources by 2030, with wind and solar power as major contributors.

Potential setback to success

While the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources can reduce emissions, it is a long trajectory with many hurdles to overcome. The costs related to change from conventional energy sources to wind energy remain high. The price of solar power has decreased by 75% over the last seven years, making it competitive with the conventional energy sources. Onshore wind is already reaching similar price levels as solar energy. Although offshore wind is currently still around 40% more expensive than onshore wind, it is gaining momentum and, as competition increases, prices are expected to rapidly decline towards the wholesale electricity price. While costs are still higher than its substitutes, the costs of offshore wind have decreased by 60% since 2010, with expectations showing cost competitiveness in North Western Europe within the next 10 years.

Exploring Low Carbon Options Using The Abatement Curve

To illustrate the options of the energy transition, researchers have introduced the abatement cost curve to compare the additional costs or cost benefits related to different low carbon options that can be pursued in the current business as usual scenario. The abatement cost curve, which can be found in the attached image, differentiates low penetration wind from high penetration wind. Wind with higher penetration levels have higher costs, such as the costs of grid extensions. For this reason, the low penetration options are often pursued, which leads to a higher total amount of abated emissions. However, the graph shows that both low penetration wind and high penetration wind can significantly abate greenhouse gas emissions.

Offshore Wind: A Rising Star in Renewable Energy

Despite the potential of wind energy to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and its declining prices, the Global Wind Energy Council has calculated that only 3.7% of the global electricity was supplied by wind at the end of 2015. However, wind energy is increasingly recognized as a solid investment opportunity. With approximately 10.4% of annual energy consumption in Europe derived from wind, the region is the clear frontrunner. Offshore grids accounted for just over 3000 MW of the total new wind capacity in this region in 2015, an amount that doubled compared to 2014. Furthermore, this new capacity covers 12,5% of the total newly installed energy. The main reason to opt for offshore turbine platforms is the absence of resistance as a result of horizon pollution. Offshore fields are not affected by the ‘NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard)’ resistance that onshore wind turbines face. Therefore, with decreasing prices, offshore wind is expected to expand its global market share.

Energy Transition Game: Exploring Climate-Friendly Energy Futures

Currently many companies are exploring options to green their value chains by using renewable energy sources as one of the routes. Challenges that decision makers face when transitioning from conventional sources to renewable ones include unstable energy prices, costs of change, and harsh competition. Besides economical factors, different stakeholder interests and interests come into play. To make the dilemma’s within the energy transition process more tangible, Finch & Beak facilitates teams in the Energy Transition Game, which was developed by the Games4Sustainability. In the game, players find themselves in the role of energy producers, grid operators, technology start-ups, representatives of one of the government departments, or members of a non-governmental organization. All parties aim to create solutions for the energy system, while facing the constraints of the energy transition. In their respective roles, players cooperate and interact to come up with creative, out-of-the-box solutions.

Want to Learn More?

The Energy Transition Game not only simulates the real-life complexity of the energy transition, it also creates an environment where innovations are born. Interested in how to apply business design thinking and open innovation in energy transformation? Please contact us at hello@finchandbeak.com for more information.

^{Image sources: Kim Hansen/Wikimedia}