Environmental impact of photovoltaic electrification in rural areas

The environmental impact of photovoltaics (PV) is discussed to ascertain how well it can aid solving the dual problem of meeting the demand for electricity in rural areas and of mitigating the energy-related environmental problems. It is noted that all emissions from PV are indirect and result mainly from the energy used in producing PV equipment. They are compared with the emissions that can be offset by the use of PV. It is concluded that PV is environmentally benign, and in some cases the cheapest way of providing electricity in rural areas. Nevertheless, its currently high costs and small electric capacity mean that there are cheaper and more effective methods for solving environmental problems in the short run. It is observed, however, that the costs of emission abatement are much higher if only the emissions from existing energy uses that are replaced by PV are considered than if the emissions and costs of alternative power production methods that are offset are also included. In the longer run, PV is seen to have very high potential for growth, lower costs, and environmental benefits. Issues affecting the success of PV dissemination in rural areas of developing countries are discussed, and policy suggestions are given

Environmental impact of photovoltaic electrification in rural areas

The environmental impact of photovoltaics (PV) is discussed to ascertain how well it can aid solving the dual problem of meeting the demand for electricity in rural areas and of mitigating the energy-related environmental problems. It is noted that all emissions from PV are indirect and result mainly from the energy used in producing PV equipment. They are compared with the emissions that can be offset by the use of PV. It is concluded that PV is environmentally benign, and in some cases the cheapest way of providing electricity in rural areas. Nevertheless, its currently high costs and small electric capacity mean that there are cheaper and more effective methods for solving environmental problems in the short run. It is observed, however, that the costs of emission abatement are much higher if only the emissions from existing energy uses that are replaced by PV are considered than if the emissions and costs of alternative power production methods that are offset are also included. In the longer run, PV is seen to have very high potential for growth, lower costs, and environmental benefits. Issues affecting the success of PV dissemination in rural areas of developing countries are discussed, and policy suggestions are given

Wind Power Policy Options in Finland: Analysis of Energy Policy Actors' Views Using Regulation Theory

In this paper I present and discuss views expressed by Finnish energy policy actors on wind power policy options in Finland. Views were collected with a questionnaire and interviews. The views reflect criteria for good regulation and are analyzed through criteria drawn from regulation theory literature. The arguments contain many elements from the regulation criteria, as well as political and value-based criteria. Increasing wind power's competitiveness is a paramount objective of policy, but there is no uniform view of the way to reach it. Emphasis on free competition is strong, setting boundaries to methods that are considered appropriate for promoting wind power. Information guidance instruments were not considered very effective, but nevertheless fairly probable and quite preferable, particularly consumer information. Financial incentives were considered very probable and rather preferable. They were deemed necessary for the competitiveness of wind power, but should be phased out (except R&D support). Unpredictability of support was found problematic. Command-and-control mechanisms were considered rather improbable, and the views about their preferability were sharply divided. They were criticized for not being suitable for liberalized electricity markets, and for having limited impact on innovation

Wind power in Finland up to the year 2025 : ‘soft’ scenarios based on expert views

http://www.elsevier.com/locate/issn/03014215In this article we present a method of constructing ‘soft’ scenarios applied to the wind power development in Finland up to the year 2025. We asked 14 experts to describe probable and preferable futures using a quantitative questionnaire and qualitative interviews. Wind power production grows in all scenarios but there were differences in the order of magnitude of 10. The growth rate of electricity consumption slows down in all scenarios. Qualitative arguments varied even within clusters, with wind power policy emerging as the main dividing factor. The differences revealed diverse values and political objectives, as well as great uncertainties in assumptions about future developments. These influence wind power policy and were also believed to have contributed to the slow development of wind power in Finland. Re-thinking of the Finnish wind power policy is recommended. The ‘soft’ scenario method is considered valuable in finding diverse views, constructing transparent scenarios and assisting energy policy making

The use of scenarios in climate policy planning: an assessment of actors' experiences and lessons learned in Finland

Scenarios are often used to depict the possible outcomes of alternative future developments as part of the evaluation of climate and energy policy measures. In Finland, scenarios have become a standard practice in climate-related policy planning. However, scenario planning often results in a single cohesive narrative, which lacks transparency in why certain developments and solutions are included and others left out. This article focuses on how scenarios created during the planning of Finland's Medium-term Plan for Climate Change Policy (KAISU) were built, and how the actors involved assessed the characteristics and quality of these scenarios. We interviewed a total of 18 participants from research, administration, and policymaking domains involved in the creation of the plan and the scenarios it contains. Semi-structured interviews provided an insight into the creation and use of scenarios as part of policy formulation, as well as points of further improvement for the process. The KAISU plan was constructed as a cross-sectoral collaborative effort between policymakers, public officials, and researchers. Despite the variety of actors involved in the process, the resulting scenarios were perceived as well-executed by the participants. However, national scenario foresight could be improved in three dimensions: 1) the process where actors collaborate to build scenarios, 2) the scenario methodology, where solutions and developments are included or excluded, and 3) use of the scenarios after their construction