Efficient and equitable spatial allocation of renewable power plants at the country scale

Drechsler M, Egerer J, Lange M, Masurowski F, Meyerhoff J, Oehlmann M (2017)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Book Volume: 2

Article Number: 17124

URI: https://www.nature.com/articles/nenergy2017124

DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2017.124

Abstract

Globally, the production of renewable energy is undergoing rapid growth. One of the most pressing issues is the appropriate allocation of renewable power plants, as the question of where to produce renewable electricity is highly controversial. Here we explore this issue through analysis of the ecient and equitable spatial allocation of wind turbines and photovoltaic
power plants in Germany. We combine multiple methods, including legal analysis, economic and energy modelling, monetary valuation and numerical optimization. We find that minimum distances between renewable power plants and human settlements should be as small as is legally possible. Even small reductions in eciency lead to large increases in equity. By considering electricity grid expansion costs, we find a more even allocation of power plants across the country than is the case when grid expansion costs are neglected.

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How to cite

APA:

Drechsler, M., Egerer, J., Lange, M., Masurowski, F., Meyerhoff, J., & Oehlmann, M. (2017). Efficient and equitable spatial allocation of renewable power plants at the country scale. Nature Energy, 2. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nenergy.2017.124

MLA:

Drechsler, Martin, et al. "Efficient and equitable spatial allocation of renewable power plants at the country scale." Nature Energy 2 (2017).

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