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Energy Systems and Technologies for the Coming Century ...

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existing renewable energy technologies <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir possible contribution to meeting basicenergy needs, today <strong>and</strong> in <strong>the</strong> future. In <strong>the</strong> first phase, focus is put on <strong>the</strong> access toelectricity.The relevance of electrification stems mainly from two challenges: achieving universalaccess to electricity <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> expected growing global dem<strong>and</strong>. Electricity is regarded as akey factor in meeting <strong>the</strong> Millennium Development Goals (UN 2009), but still about1.45 billion people have not access (in 2009, IEA 2010). On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r h<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> IEAexpects an increase of electricity dem<strong>and</strong> by 55% between 2007 <strong>and</strong> 2030 (from 16,400TWh by 2007 to 25,400 TWh by 2030; IEA 2009).Main focus of <strong>the</strong> study lies on small-scale technologies <strong>for</strong> community-basedimplementation approaches in off-grid regions.2 Development of Technology RadarIn order to offer transparent, comprehensive <strong>and</strong> technology neutral in<strong>for</strong>mation ontechnological options, <strong>the</strong> development of <strong>the</strong> TR comprises two guiding principles.Need-orientation: This is an attempt to redirect <strong>the</strong> focus to <strong>the</strong> energy related needs tobe met. It recognizes that energy technologies are (only) means to enable <strong>the</strong> realizationof daily tasks or <strong>the</strong> fulfilment of daily needs, be it individual or collective needs.Multi-criteria: The supply of energy comprises multiple interconnected processes: from<strong>the</strong> resource extraction up to <strong>the</strong> provision of end energy to <strong>the</strong> user. And also <strong>the</strong>interactions with <strong>the</strong> ecological <strong>and</strong> social systems are manifold. Thus, in<strong>for</strong>mation on<strong>the</strong>se multidimensional interactions may be essential <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> design of measures that aimat ensuring <strong>the</strong> provision of energy based on <strong>the</strong> use of renewable resources.2.1 Set of evaluation criteriaA set of five criteria has been established to reflect <strong>and</strong> cover <strong>the</strong> different issuesimportant <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> selection <strong>and</strong> application of sustainable energy technologies. Eachcriterion may entail quantitative <strong>and</strong>/or qualitative data that help to build a morecomprehensive underst<strong>and</strong>ing on <strong>the</strong> technology per<strong>for</strong>mance today or in <strong>the</strong> near future.Potential contribution to global sustainable developmentData ga<strong>the</strong>red in this set describes how <strong>the</strong> application of <strong>the</strong> technologies is expected tocontribute to three of <strong>the</strong> main urgent global challenges of our time:a. Shaping low-carbon energy systems: The main parameter used <strong>for</strong> this topic is<strong>the</strong> expected share of <strong>the</strong> technology in <strong>the</strong> future global energy supply (by year2030 <strong>and</strong> 2050). For this purpose, results from scenario analysis have beensummarized. Additionally, qualitative descriptions of <strong>the</strong> global distribution of<strong>the</strong> energy sources are given <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> suitability in decentralized approaches isanalysed.b. Contribution to climate change mitigation: Description on <strong>the</strong> technology'spotential to contribute to climate change mitigation, like reduction of CO2eemissions.c. Contribution to MDG achievement: Indications of <strong>the</strong> suitability of certaintechnologies to help meeting <strong>the</strong> Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) arecollected. Main source of in<strong>for</strong>mation is literature of international organisationsworking in <strong>the</strong> field of development cooperation.Environmental IssuesThe production of energy <strong>and</strong> delivery of energy services can lead to environmentalchanges that can pose threat to <strong>the</strong> ecosystems or to human beings. A large range of2Risø International <strong>Energy</strong> Conference 2011 Proceedings Page 346

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