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Microgrids as drivers in the global energy transition towards renewables
Scorrano, Mariangela
Massi Pavan, Alessandro
2019
Abstract
Contrastare gli effetti negativi dei cambiamenti climatici rappresenta una sfida
chiave del 21° secolo. L’uso di combustibili fossili per la produzione di energia, il
riscaldamento e i trasporti, è la causa principale delle grandi quantità di gas serra
rilasciati nell’atmosfera, responsabili dell’attuale riscaldamento globale. Per
limitare le conseguenze dannose dei cambiamenti climatici, il mondo ha urgente
bisogno di utilizzare l’energia in modo efficiente, utilizzando fonti di energia pulite.
Il contributo descrive l’attuale transizione energetica, in cui l’elettrificazione
sta emergendo come una soluzione chiave per ridurre le emissioni, ma solo
quando accompagnata da energia pulita, sempre più prodotta a costi minori da
fonti rinnovabili. Il contributo illustra i principali trend che stanno guidando il
boom delle rinnovabili, con il fotovoltaico che funge da portabandiera. Grid-parity
e fuel-parity rappresentano un passo fondamentale nel percorso di crescita (a
livello globale a tassi record) di questa tecnologia solare. Il contributo introduce
poi le microreti come un sistema in grado di bilanciare la produzione variabile
di energia rinnovabile con le attività di generazione tradizionali, contribuendo anche a integrare queste energie rinnovabili nel mix energetico. Esse forniscono
energia pulita, efficiente, a basso costo, migliorano la resilienza locale ed il funzionamento
e la stabilità della rete elettrica regionale.
Mitigation and adaptation to climate change are key challenges of the 21st century.
Combustion of fossil fuels for energy production, heating and transport, is the
main cause of the large amounts of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere,
responsible of the current global warming. To limit the damaging consequences of
the climate change, the world urgently needs to use energy efficiently, making use
of clean energy sources. The paper describes the current energy transition, where
electrification is emerging as a key solution for reducing emissions, but paired with
clean electricity, increasingly sourced at the lowest cost from renewable energy.
The paper illustrates the main trends that are driving the rapid deployment of renewables,
with the photovoltaics as the standard bearer. Grid-parity and fuel-parity
represent a fundamental step in the growth path (globally at record rates) of
this solar technology. The paper then introduces microgrids as systems able to balance
the variable output of renewable energy with traditional generation assets,
also contributing to integrate these renewables into the energy mix. They provide
efficient, low-cost, clean energy, enhances local resiliency, and improves the operation
and stability of the regional electric grid.Mitigation and adaptation to climate change are key challenges of the 21st century.
Combustion of fossil fuels for energy production, heating and transport, is the
main cause of the large amounts of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere,
responsible of the current global warming. To limit the damaging consequences of
the climate change, the world urgently needs to use energy efficiently, making use
of clean energy sources. The paper describes the current energy transition, where
electrification is emerging as a key solution for reducing emissions, but paired with
clean electricity, increasingly sourced at the lowest cost from renewable energy.
The paper illustrates the main trends that are driving the rapid deployment of renewables,
with the photovoltaics as the standard bearer. Grid-parity and fuel-parity
represent a fundamental step in the growth path (globally at record rates) of
this solar technology. The paper then introduces microgrids as systems able to balance
the variable output of renewable energy with traditional generation assets,
also contributing to integrate these renewables into the energy mix. They provide
efficient, low-cost, clean energy, enhances local resiliency, and improves the operation
and stability of the regional electric grid.
Publisher
EUT Edizioni Università di Trieste
Source
Angela Scorrano, Alessandro Massi Pavan, "Microgrids as drivers in the global energy transition towards renewables" in: "La decarbonizzazione dei trasporti: è un obiettivo possibile?", Trieste, EUT Edizioni Università di Trieste, 2019, pp. 221-230
Languages
en
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