The role of biomass in sub-Saharan Africa’s fully renewable power sector – The case of Ghana

Mensah, Theophilus Nii Odai; Oyewo, Ayobami Solomon; Breyer, Christian

doi:10.1016/j.renene.2021.03.098

Cited by 54 publications

(30 citation statements)

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“…Experience for Europe clearly shows that a NUTS1 level can be managed, as shown by Sassa and Trutnevyete [430], in demonstrating even a NUTS3 resolution for six Central European countries in power sector overnight simulations applying a soft-linked EXPANSE-PyPSA model. A similar experience with the LUT-ESTM for countries such as Chile [216], Ghana [205], Cameroon [431], and Nepal and Bhutan [432] clearly indicates that a NUTS1 equivalent level may be achievable globally, as the average size per sub-region is about 2.9, 5.5, 3.8, 3.9 million inhabitants for Chile, Ghana, Cameroon, and Nepal and Bhutan, respectively. Even the NUTS2 level may be possible in the long-term, as indicated in the case of Finland, which has been modelled into five NUTS2 regions as well as in seven regions with the LUT-ESTM [433].…”

Section: G Raising Geo-spatial Resolution Of Interconnected Energy Sy...mentioning

confidence: 70%

“…Teske/DLR et al [122], [123], [125] and Luderer et al [146] have a substantial bioenergy share, but respect the 100 EJ/yr limit. However, scenarios without any bioenergy supply, as assumed in the Jacobson et al [13], [61], [62], [63], [65], [66], [69] studies do not lead to least private cost solutions as recently shown in a comparison of model scenarios with and without bioenergy [205], [206]. Even though Jacobson et al do not find least-cost solutions, they perform social cost analyses and find that both annual private and social costs are consistently much lower than in business-as-usual scenarios.…”

Section: B Solar Pv and Wind Power In Global 100% Renewable Energy Sc...mentioning

confidence: 96%

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On the History and Future of 100% Renewable Energy Systems Research

et al. 2022

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Research on 100% renewable energy systems is a relatively recent phenomenon. It was initiated in the mid-1970s, catalyzed by skyrocketing oil prices. Since the mid-2000s, it has quickly evolved into a prominent research field encompassing an expansive and growing number of research groups and organizations across the world. The main conclusion of most of these studies is that 100% renewables is feasible worldwide at low cost. Advanced concepts and methods now enable the field to chart realistic as well as cost-or resource-optimized and efficient transition pathways to a future without the use of fossil fuels. Such proposed pathways in turn, have helped spur 100% renewable energy policy targets and actions, leading to more research. In most transition pathways, solar energy and wind power increasingly emerge as the central pillars of a sustainable energy system combined with energy efficiency measures. Costoptimization modeling and greater resource availability tend to lead to higher solar photovoltaic shares, while emphasis on energy supply diversification tends to point to higher wind power contributions. Recent research has focused on the challenges and opportunities regarding grid congestion, energy storage, sector coupling, electrification of transport and industry implying power-to-X and hydrogen-to-X, and the inclusion of natural and technical carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approaches. The result is a holistic vision of the transition towards a net-negative greenhouse gas emissions economy that can limit global warming to 1.5˚C with a clearly defined carbon budget in a sustainable and cost-effective manner based on 100% renewable energy-industry-CDR systems. Initially, the field encountered very strong skepticism. Therefore, this paper also includes a response to major critiques against 100% renewable energy systems, and also discusses the institutional inertia that hampers adoption by the International Energy Agency and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as well as possible negative connections to community acceptance and energy justice. We conclude by discussing how this emergent research field can further progress to the benefit of society.

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Section: G Raising Geo-spatial Resolution Of Interconnected Energy Sy...mentioning

confidence: 70%

Section: B Solar Pv and Wind Power In Global 100% Renewable Energy Sc...mentioning

confidence: 96%

On the History and Future of 100% Renewable Energy Systems Research

et al. 2022

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“…However, impacts of hydropower projects on local living conditions and sustainability of the projects before and after implementation should be analysed. The biomass potential considered in this study is sustainable which consists of agricultural residues and wastes [71]. The role of biomass in electricity generation is negligible, while most of the biomass is used in the heat sector.…”

Section: A Overall Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The raw data on the biomass and waste resources were obtained from Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations. The potentials were calculated according to the methods described in Mensah et al [71]. The cost calculation for the three biomass categories were done according to the data from International Energy Agency [72] and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [73].…”

Section: ) Resource Potential and Input Profilesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Renewable Energy Transition for the Himalayan Countries Nepal and Bhutan: Pathways Towards Reliable, Affordable and Sustainable Energy for All

et al. 2021

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The Himalayan countries Nepal and Bhutan have been confronted with similar climate change and energy emergencies for quite a long time. Its influence is felt as a barrier in financial, social, infrastructural, and political development. Despite having an enormous amount of renewable energy sources, these countries are unable to fulfil their current energy demand. While the power sector is entirely dependent on hydropower, other sectors depend on fossil fuel imports from India. This study offers a pathway for energy independency, energy for all and transition towards a 100% renewables based energy system. The modelling of the energy sector is done using the LUT Energy System Transition model for a period from 2015 to 2050 in a 5-year time step. This study covers the main energy sectors: power, heat, and transport. Two scenarios are visualised, one considering greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and the associated mitigation cost and another without these costs, though both scenarios aim at achieving a high share of renewable energy by 2050. A substantial drop in levelised cost of energy is observed for the scenario without GHG emission cost, however, taxing GHG emissions will accelerate the energy transition with the levelised cost of energy on a similar level. It is well possible to transition from 90 €/MWh in 2015 to 49 €/MWh by 2050 for the entire energy system by utilizing indigenous low-cost renewable energy. Solar photovoltaics and hydropower will play a dominant role in 2050, having a share of 67% and 31% respectively. Consequently, this leads to zero GHG emissions. An energy transition towards a sustainable and secure energy system for all by 2050 is well possible in Nepal and Bhutan only through 100% renewable sources and it is both technically and economically feasible despite having substantial limitations in infrastructure and economic development currently.

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“…Jacobson et al [9] analyzed a to achieve 100% renewable energy supply in the United States by 2050 by considerin renewable energy distribution in 50 states. Strategies were designed for achieving renewable energy in Ethiopia [10], Ghana [11], Bolivia [12], Philippines, Jordan [13 Iran [14]. The findings demonstrated that it is possible to realize a 100% RES in m countries through reasonable planning and design.…”

Section: Existing Studies On 100% Ressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design Optimization and Comparative Analysis of 100% Renewable Energy Systems for Residential Communities in Typical Areas of China When Considering Environmental and Economic Performance

Ling¹,

Cui²,

Zheng³

et al. 2021

Sustainability

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A 100% renewable energy system (RES) satisfies a user’s energy demand using only renewable energy, which is an important energy supply in China given that the government aims to realize carbon neutrality by 2060. The design and operation of 100% RESs in different areas would vary significantly due to the impacts of climates and geographical features. This study aimed to investigate the economic and environmental performance of 100% RESs for residential communities in different areas of China. In total, 30 typical cities were chosen based on the climate characteristics and the availability of renewable energy resources. The genetic algorithm was selected to obtain the optimal design of the 100% RES in each area by taking the minimum total annual cost and the minimum CO2 emissions as optimization objectives. The results showed that 100% RESs were dominated by solar energy and biomass. The investment could be recovered in 8 years if the economic performance was optimized in most areas, but the payback period became longer when the 100% RES was optimized when considering environmental performance. The emissions could be reduced by 86–99% for CO2 and 64–97% for NOx. The results of this study would provide data support for the investment of 100% RESs in rural or suburban areas of China.

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The role of biomass in sub-Saharan Africa’s fully renewable power sector – The case of Ghana

Cited by 54 publications

References 60 publications

On the History and Future of 100% Renewable Energy Systems Research

On the History and Future of 100% Renewable Energy Systems Research

Renewable Energy Transition for the Himalayan Countries Nepal and Bhutan: Pathways Towards Reliable, Affordable and Sustainable Energy for All

Design Optimization and Comparative Analysis of 100% Renewable Energy Systems for Residential Communities in Typical Areas of China When Considering Environmental and Economic Performance

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