Policies to Deliver a Low-Carbon Energy System in Europe

Examining Different Policy Pathways

This report assesses the effectiveness of typified policy packages that aim at facilitating a substantial transformation of the European energy system, in order to reach a reduction of GHG emissions of 80-95% by 2050 (against 1990 levels). The report first details the medium (by 2030) and long-term (by 2050) key infrastructure requirements and characteristics based on energy system modelling, by both supply and end-use sectors. Subsequently, the report presents three policy packages for delivering this infrastructure, based on three different policy paradigms. Finally, the report presents a number of key bottlenecks that need to be addressed in the near future to be able to meet the CO2 emission reductions in the envisaged timeframe.

Attachment:

Drummond (2015)_Policies to Deliver a Low‐Carbon Energy System in Europe.pdf

Citation:

Drummond, Paul, 2015. Policies to Deliver a Low‐Carbon Energy System in Europe. Examining Different Policy Pathways. CECILIA2050 WP4 Deliverable 4.3. London: UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources.

Funding:

European Commission

Authors:

Paul Drummond, UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources

Year of publication:

2015

Number of pages:

124

	Executive summary	6
1	Introduction	9
2	Low‐Carbon Infrastructure Requirements	9
2.1	Power Generation Infrastructure	11
2.2	Industry Sector	15
2.3	Buildings Sector	17
2.4	Transport Sector	20
2.5	Energy and CO2 Transmission and Distribution Networks	24
3	Three Policy Pathways	34
3.1.1	Policy Pathways	34
3.2	Market-Based Policy Pathway	35
3.2.1	Power Generation Infrastructure	35
3.2.2	Industry	43
3.2.3	Buildings	46
3.2.4	Transport	56
3.2.5	Summary of the Market-Based Policy Pathway	68
3.3	Technology-Based Policy Pathway	70
3.3.1	Power Generation Infrastructure	70
3.3.2	Industry	74
3.3.3	Buildings	76
3.3.4	Transport	82
3.3.5	Summary of the Technology-Based Policy Pathway	85
3.4	Behaviour-Based Policy Pathway	87
3.4.1	Power Generation Infrastructure	87
3.4.2	Industry	87
3.4.3	Buildings	89
3.4.4	Transport	95
3.4.5	Summary of the Behaviour‐Based Policy Pathway	97
3.5	Energy and CO2 Transmission & Distribution Networks	98
4	Discussion and Conclusions	105