Understanding the absence of renewable electricity imports to the European Union
Lilliestam J, Ellenbeck S, Karakosta C, Caldés N (2016)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2016
Journal
Book Volume: 10
Pages Range: 291-311
Journal Issue: 3
DOI: 10.1108/IJESM-10-2014-0002
Abstract
Purpose: This paper aims to analyse reasons for the absence of renewable electricity (RE) imports to the European Union, for which the authors develop a multi-level heuristic. Design/methodology/approach: The heuristic covers three sequential acceptance levels: political attractiveness (macro-level), the “business case” (micro-level) and civil society perspectives (public discourse level). Findings: Numerous factors on all three levels determine the success/demise of renewables trade. So far, trade has failed on the macro-level, because European policymakers perceive that targets can be achieved domestically with significant co-benefits and because exporter countries have rapidly increasing electricity demand, limiting the realisable exports. As policymakers deemed it unattractive, they have not implemented policy-supported business cases. Public opposition against trade has not been an issue as no concrete plans or projects have been proposed. Research limitations/implications: The authors show that the factors determining whether a RE programme is successful are plentiful and extend far beyond potential cost savings. This suggests that future research and the energy policy debate should better account for how cost savings are weighed against other policy aims and explicitly include the perspectives of investors and the public. Originality/value: This paper adds the first holistic analysis of success/failure factors for RE trade to Europe. The three-level, sequential framework is new to energy policy analysis.
Authors with CRIS profile
Additional Organisation(s)
Involved external institutions
Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETHZ) / Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich
Switzerland (CH)
Potsdam-Institut für Klimafolgenforschung (PIK) / Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Germany (DE)
National Technical University of Athens / Εθνικό Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο
Greece (GR)
Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT)
Spain (ES)
Switzerland (CH)
Potsdam-Institut für Klimafolgenforschung (PIK) / Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Germany (DE)
National Technical University of Athens / Εθνικό Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο
Greece (GR)
Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT)
Spain (ES)
How to cite
APA:
Lilliestam, J., Ellenbeck, S., Karakosta, C., & Caldés, N. (2016). Understanding the absence of renewable electricity imports to the European Union. International Journal of Energy Sector Management, 10(3), 291-311. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJESM-10-2014-0002
MLA:
Lilliestam, Johan, et al. "Understanding the absence of renewable electricity imports to the European Union." International Journal of Energy Sector Management 10.3 (2016): 291-311.
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