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: 

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

Table of contents: 

 

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