Ren 21 Generacion Renovable Mundial 2016 2339
Ren 21 Generacion Renovable Mundial 2016 2339
Ren 21 Generacion Renovable Mundial 2016 2339
2017
RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY NETWORK
FOR THE 21st CENTURY
REN21 is the global renewable energy policy multi-stakeholder network that connects a wide range of key
actors. REN21’s goal is to facilitate knowledge exchange, policy development and joint action towards a rapid
global transition to renewable energy.
REN21 brings together governments, non-governmental organisations, research and academic institutions,
international organisations and industry to learn from one another and build on successes that advance
renewable energy. To assist policy decision making, REN21 provides high-quality information, catalyses
discussion and debate, and supports the development of thematic networks.
REN21 facilitates the collection of comprehensive and timely information on renewable energy. This information
reflects diverse viewpoints from both private and public sector actors, serving to dispel myths about renewable
energy and to catalyse policy change. It does this through six product lines:
Indian
Renewable Energy
Chinese Status Report
REN21 First GSR Renewable Energy
publications: published Status Report Renewables
Interactive Map
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
2
REN21 PRODUCTS
RENEWABLES GLOBAL STATUS REPORT (GSR) GLOBAL FUTURES REPORTS (GFR)
First released in 2005, REN21's Renewables Global Status Report REN21 produces reports that illustrate the credible possibilities
(GSR) has grown to become a truly collaborative effort, drawing for the future of renewables within particular thematic areas.
on an international network of over 800 authors, contributors and
reviewers. Today it is the most frequently referenced report on
renewable energy market, industry and policy trends. RENEWABLES ACADEMY
The REN21 Renewables Academy provides an opportunity
for lively exchange among the growing community of REN21
REGIONAL REPORTS contributors. It offers a venue to brainstorm on future-orientated
These reports detail the renewable energy developments of a policy solutions and allows participants to actively contribute on
particular region; their production also supports regional data issues central to a renewable energy transition.
collection processes and informed decision making.
Renewables 100%
Global Futures Report
SADC and UNECE UNECE
Global Futures Report Renewable Energy EAC Renewable Energy
ECOWAS and Energy Efficiency Renewable Status Report
Global Status Report MENA Renewable Energy Status Reports Energy and
on Local Renewable Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy
Energy Policies Status Report Status Report Renewables Interactive Status Report Tenders and Community
Map revamp [em]Power[ment]
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
3
REN21 MEMBERS
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS NGOS
Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) Asian Development Bank (ADB) Climate Action Network (CAN)
American Council on Renewable Energy Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre Council on Energy, Environment
(ACORE) (APERC) and Water (CEEW)
Association for Renewable Energy of
ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy Fundación Energías Renovables (FER)
Lusophone Countries (ALER)
and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves
Chinese Renewable Energy Industries
Association (CREIA) European Commission (EC) (GACC)
Clean Energy Council (CEC) Global Forum on Sustainable
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
European Renewable Energies Energy (GFSE)
Federation (EREF) International Energy Agency (IEA)
Greenpeace International
Global Off-Grid Lighting Association International Renewable Energy Agency
(GOGLA) ICLEI – Local Governments for
(IRENA)
Sustainability, South Asia
Global Solar Council (GSC)
Regional Center for Renewable Energy Institute for Sustainable Energy
Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)
and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) Policies (ISEP)
Indian Renewable Energy Federation
(IREF) United Nations Development Mali Folkecenter (MFC)
International Geothermal Association Programme (UNDP)
Partnership for Sustainable Low
(IGA) UN Environment (UNEP) Carbon Transport (SLoCaT)
International Hydropower Association
(IHA) United Nations Industrial Development Renewable Energy Institute (REI)
Organization (UNIDO)
Portuguese Renewable Energy World Council for Renewable
Association (APREN) World Bank (WB) Energy (WCRE)
Renewable Energy Solutions for the World Future Council (WFC)
Mediterranean (RES4MED)
World Bioenergy Association (WBA) World Resources Institute (WRI)
World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
4
REN21 COMMUNITY
6
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
n Newly installed renewable power capacity set new n The myth that fossil and nuclear power are needed to
records in 2016, with 161 gigawatts (GW) added, increasing provide “baseload” electricity supply when the sun isn’t
the global total by almost 9% relative to 2015. Solar PV was the shining or the wind isn’t blowing has been shown to be false.
star performer in 2016, accounting for around 47% of the total In 2016, Denmark and Germany successfully managed peaks
additions, followed by wind power at 34% and hydropower of 140% and 86.3%, respectively, of electricity generation from
at 15.5%. For the fifth consecutive year, investment in new renewable sources, and in several countries (Portugal, Ireland
renewable power capacity (including all hydropower) was roughly and Cyprus, for example), achieving annual shares of 20-30%
double the investment in fossil fuel generating capacity, reaching electricity from variable renewables without additional storage is
USD 249.8 billion. The world now adds more renewable power becoming feasible. The key lesson for integrating large shares of
capacity annually than it adds in net new capacity from all fossil variable renewable generation is to ensure maximum flexibility in
fuels combined. the power system.
n Cost for electricity from solar PV and wind is rapidly n There has been an upsurge in cities, states, countries and
falling. Record-breaking tenders for solar PV occurred in major corporations committing to 100% renewable energy
Argentina, Chile, India, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United targets because it makes economic and business sense, quite
Arab Emirates, with bids in some markets below USD 0.03 per apart from climate, environment and public health benefits. In
kilowatt-hour (kWh). Parallel developments in the wind power 2016, 34 additional businesses joined RE100, a global initiative
sector saw record low bids in several countries, including Chile, of businesses committed to sourcing their operations with 100%
India, Mexico and Morocco. Record lows in offshore wind power
renewable electricity. Throughout 2016, the number of cities across
tenders in Denmark and the Netherlands brought Europe’s
the globe committed to transitioning to 100% renewable energy –
industry closer to its goal to produce offshore wind power more
in total energy use or in the electricity sector – continued to grow,
cheaply than coal by 2025.
and some cities and communities already have succeeded in this
n 2016 was the third year in a row where global energy- goal (for example, in more than 100 communities in Japan). Under
related CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and industry the Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, more than 7,200
remained stable despite a 3% growth in the global economy communities with a combined population of 225 million people
and an increased demand for energy. This can be attributed are committed to reducing emissions 40% by 2030, by increasing
primarily to the decline in coal consumption, but also to the energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment. And it is
growth in renewable energy capacity and to improvements in not only corporations and sub-national actors that are looking
energy efficiency. The decoupling of economic growth and CO2 to go 100% renewable. At the climate conference in Marrakesh,
emissions is an important first step towards achieving the steep Morocco in November 2016, the leaders of 48 developing nations
decline in emissions necessary for holding global temperature committed to work towards achieving 100% renewable energy
rise well below 2 degrees Celsius (°C). supply in their respective nations.
7
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
n A paradigm shift is under way in the developing world, With regard to rail transport, which accounts for about 2% of the
where billions of people still live without access to electricity total energy used in the transport sector, renewables also are
(around 1.2 billion) and/or clean cooking facilities (around starting to enter the game. A number of railways implemented
2.7 billion). The cumbersome process of providing electricity new projects in 2016 to generate their own electricity from
access through grid extension alone is becoming obsolete as renewables (e.g., wind turbines on railway land and solar panels
new business models and technologies enable the development on railway stations), notably in India and Morocco.
of off-grid markets. Markets for both mini-grids and stand-alone
systems are evolving rapidly. Bangladesh, with 4 million units n Despite slow progress in the heating and cooling sector,
installed, has the largest solar home system market using mainly there have been some positive developments. The use
microcredit schemes. Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) business models, of solar process heat continued to increase in the food and
supported by mobile technology (for example, the use of mobile beverage industry as well as in the mining industries, and has
phones for bill paying), are exploding. In 2012, investments in expanded into other industries as well. Solar thermal is being
PAYG solar companies amounted to only USD 3 million; by 2016 incorporated into district heating systems at significant scales,
that figure had risen to USD 223 million (up from USD 158 million with several large projects in some European countries, with
just one year before). This trend started in East Africa and is Denmark currently in the lead. Several European Union (EU)
quickly spreading to West Africa, as well as to South Asia. The countries also have expanded use of geothermal district heating
mini-grid market now exceeds USD 200 billion annually. In 2016, plants, and interest is growing in the use of district heating to
more than 23 MW of solar PV and wind power based mini-grid provide flexibility to power systems, by converting renewable
projects were announced. electricity into heat.
n The notion that renewable energy is something that only n Finally, enabling technologies are facilitating and
rich countries can afford is not valid. Most new renewable advancing the deployment of renewable energy (and
energy capacity is being installed in developing countries, mainly are discussed in the GSR for the first time in 2017 given their
in China, which has been the single largest developer of new increasingly important role). ICT (information and communication
renewable power and heat for the past eight years. With a solar technology), storage systems, EVs and heat pumps – to name a
revolution taking off in India, and with 48 developing countries few – are facilitating and advancing the deployment of renewable
now committed to 100% renewable energy goals, the developing energy. Even though these technologies were not developed for
country share of total global renewable energy capacity is likely this purpose originally, they are showing tremendous capacity to
to increase further. Moreover, in 2015 developing and emerging facilitate greater system integration and more effective demand
economies overtook industrialised countries in renewable energy response.
investment for the first time (although industrialised countries Storage, in particular, is starting to receive a lot of attention,
retook the lead in 2016, despite the fact that China remained the given its potential for providing additional flexibility to the power
single largest investor). The myth that renewable energy is too system. It is taking off in a limited number of markets, but it is
expensive, or that only a handful of rich countries continue to lead still small in scale. In 2016, approximately 0.8 GW of new non-
the way, has been discredited. In many cases, renewable power is pumped energy storage capacity became operational – mostly
now the least-cost option. consisting of battery (electrochemical) storage but also some
CSP thermal storage capacity – bringing the year-end total to
n Even in the transport sector, which arguably faces the an estimated 6.4 GW. This amount complements an estimated
greatest challenges in transitioning to a renewable energy 150 GW of pumped storage capacity in operation worldwide.
future, major changes are under way. Although policy support Most of the growth took place in battery (electro-chemical)
for renewable energy use in the transport sector continues storage, with innovations being driven largely by the EV
to focus primarily on biofuel blends, policies to encourage the industry. Storage systems increasingly are being integrated into
purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) are emerging. This is starting large-scale utility projects, and are being used by homeowners
to pay off: global deployment of EVs for road transport, and to store electricity generated by rooftop solar PV systems.
particularly passenger vehicles, has grown rapidly in recent
years. In 2016, global passenger EV sales reached an estimated
775,000 vehicles, and more than 2 million of the vehicles were on
the world’s roads by year’s end.
Direct links between renewable energy and EVs, however, remain
limited; many, if not most, EVs are still powered by nuclear and
fossil fuel-generated electricity, with the exception of Norway
where EVs run on hydropower. There are promising signs
nonetheless. Car sharing companies in the United Kingdom and
the Netherlands, for example, have begun offering provisions
to charge vehicles with renewable electricity. And as the share
of renewables in grid power increases, so will the share of
renewables in electrified transport, illustrating that systemic
planning and policy design is needed to link the power and
transport sectors.
8
DRIVERS FOR RENEWABLE
ENERGY DEPLOYMENT
Mitigation of climate change has been the primary
rationale behind calls for a 100% renewable energy
future. But the CO2 reduction benefit of renewables is by
no means the only driver for their deployment.
renewable energy
growth, the renewable energy sector offers a way to
increase income, improve trade balances, contribute to
capacity for less money.“ industrial development and create jobs. Analysis shows
that countries with stable renewable energy policy
frameworks benefit most from the local value that this
sector generates.
9
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
With the right policies in place, the power sector could be In 2015 – the latest year for which data were available at the time
emissions-free by mid-century. But the distinction between of GSR publication – global primary energy intensity improved
“electricity” and “energy” often is confused in the public 2.6% over the previous year, bringing the average annual rate
discourse; the energy market actually comprises three major of improvement between 2010 and 2015 to 2.1%. This was an
segments: electricity, transport, and heating and cooling. And important achievement, but energy intensity will need to be
progress in the transport and heating and cooling sectors lags well improved by 2.6% annually (on average) starting in 2017 if the
behind the tremendous growth of renewables in the power sector. SEforALL energy efficiency goal is to be met. For every year we
lag behind this average rate, we will need to compensate with
even higher rates of improvement in future years.
10
RENEWABLE ENERGY INDICATORS 2016
2015 2016
INVESTMENT
New investment (annual) in renewable power and fuels 1 billion USD 312.2 241.6
POWER
Renewable power capacity (total, not including hydro) GW 785 921
Hydropower capacity 2
GW 1,071 1,096
HEAT
Solar hot water capacity 3 GWth 435 456
TRANSPORT
Ethanol production (annual) billion litres 98.3 98.6
POLICIES
Countries with policy targets # 173 176
1
Investment data are from Bloomberg New Energy Finance and include all biomass, geothermal and wind power projects of more than 1 MW; all hydro
projects of between 1 and 50 MW; all solar power projects, with those less than 1 MW estimated separately; all ocean energy projects; and all biofuel projects
with an annual production capacity of 1 million litres or more.
2
The GSR 2016 reported a global total of 1,064 GW of hydropower capacity at end-2015. The value of 1,071 GW shown here reflects the difference between
end-2016 capacity (1,096 GW) and new installations in 2016 (25 GW). Differences are explained in part by uncertainty regarding capacity retirements and
plant repowering each year. Note also that the GSR strives to exclude pure pumped storage capacity from hydropower capacity data.
3
Solar hot water capacity data include water collectors only. The number for 2016 is a preliminary estimate.
4
Data for tendering/public competitive bidding reflect all countries that have held tenders at any time up through the year of focus.
5
Biofuel policies include policies listed both under the biofuels obligation/mandate column in Table 3 (Renewable Energy Support Policies) and in Reference
Table R25 (National and State/Provincial Biofuel Blend Mandates).
Note: All values are rounded to whole numbers except for numbers <15, biofuels and investment, which are rounded to one decimal point.
11
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
Global New Investment in Renewable Power and Fuels, Developed, Emerging and Developing Countries,
2006-2016
World Total
Billion USD World total
350
242 billion USD
Developed countries
312 China
300 281 278 Other developing
countries
255
250
244
234 242
200 181 -23%
159
193
178
150 Growth
165
152
2015-2016
145
113
143
133
167
125
123
100
115
115
135
-30%
117
83
101
104
50
88
78
64
58
44
29
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
-14%
Note: Figure does not include investment in hydropower projects larger than 50 MW.
Investment totals have been rounded to nearest billion. Source: BNEF
12
Space cooling, most of which is supplied by electrical Transport – Especially Aviation and Shipping – Lags
appliances, accounts for only about 2% of total world final energy Behind in the Renewable Energy Transition
consumption. The demand for thermal renewable energy-based
The scaling-up of renewables in the transport sector is slow.
cooling technologies generally has not kept pace with the rising
Despite some progress – in particular rapid development of the
demand for cooling.
EV market – oil products still account for around 93% of final
The deployment of renewable technologies in the heating and
energy consumption in transport. The international community
cooling sector remains a challenge in light of the unique and
focused increased attention on decarbonisation of the transport
distributed nature of this market. High up-front investment costs
sector following the adoption of the Paris Agreement, but only
and competition with low-cost (subsidised) fossil fuels continue
22 of the NDCs refer specifically to renewable energy in the
to impede the deployment of renewable heat. Lack of effective
transport sector, and only 2 of these (Niue and New Zealand)
policies and political will contribute to slow renewable energy
reference the need for EVs to be powered by renewable energy.
uptake.
Efficiency, optimisation and switching modes of transport
Progress also is constrained by additional factors which could be
– i.e., from individual cars to mass transit – are key levers
overcome with effective policy support and political will, including
for decarbonising the transport sector. Renewables-based
limited awareness of the technologies, and fossil fuel subsidies
decarbonisation of the transport sector, however, is not yet
which keep fossil fuel prices artificially low. In developing
being seriously considered, or seen as a priority.
countries in particular, despite significant potential for the use of
renewables in heating, the lack of installation know-how remains Barriers to electrification in the road transport sector continue
an important barrier, particularly for industrial-scale heat. to include relatively high EV vehicle costs, perceived limits to
range and battery life, and a lack of charging infrastructure. In the
developing world, additional barriers relate to the lack of a robust
electricity supply. Moreover, the focus in developing countries
often is to establish basic transport infrastructure. While this
is clearly a genuine need, renewable energy-based solutions
should be integrated in planning processes (which often is not
the case currently).
13
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
With regard to rail transport, the renewable electricity share in Nonetheless, a number of significant developments emerged
the total energy mix of the world’s railways increased from 3.4% in 2016. Some governments, mostly in Europe, began looking
in 1990 to around 9% in 2013, with some countries reaching at medium- to long-term strategies to decarbonise the
much higher penetrations. While urban rail infrastructure and transport sector, often involving long-term structural changes;
service are already largely electrified, the electrification of long- many also considered or developed strategies to more closely
distance rail requires major infrastructure change and related link the transport and electricity sectors. Germany’s climate
financing. action plan, developed in 2016, aims to reduce emissions in
transport 40-42% by 2030, with a longer-term objective of fully
Biofuels will be needed increasingly not only for road transport,
decarbonising the sector.
but also for shipping and aviation, as these sectors are
difficult to electrify. Fuels need to be adapted for each of
these applications and for different types of engines. Despite Fossil Fuel Subsidies Continue to Impede Progress
continued strong interest in the development of aviation Overall
biofuels, the quantities produced in 2016 remained relatively
Finally, a major barrier to the rapid uptake of renewables
small and mostly for demonstration use. Likewise, biofuel
more generally is the continued subsidising of fossil fuels (and
production for maritime use is in its infancy.
nuclear power), despite many international commitments to
At the international level, the International Civil Aviation phase them out. By the end of 2016 more than 50 countries
Organization agreed in 2016 to establish a global market-based had committed to phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, and some
measure to reduce CO 2 emissions from aviation, including reforms have occurred, but not enough. In 2014 the ratio of fossil
specifications for advances in the production and use of fuel subsidies to renewable energy subsidies was 4:1. In other
sustainable aviation fuel; however, progress in decarbonising words, for every USD 1 spent on renewables, governments
the aviation sector is moving very slowly. The shipping spent USD 4 perpetuating our dependence on fossil fuels. This
sector also has yet to address its emissions. Even with lower is distorting the market in very unproductive ways.
carbon intensity of individual ships, global emissions will keep
increasing with growing global trade and transport services.
14
TOP FIVE COUNTRIES
Annual Investment / Net Capacity Additions / Production in 2016
1 2 3 4 5
Investment in renewable power and fuels
China United States United Kingdom Japan Germany
(not including hydro > 50 MW)
Investment in renewable power
Bolivia Senegal Jordan Honduras Iceland
and fuels per unit GDP1
Geothermal power capacity Indonesia Turkey Kenya Mexico Japan
Hydropower capacity China Brazil Ecuador Ethopia Vietnam
Solar PV capacity China United States Japan India United Kingdom
Concentrating solar thermal power
South Africa China – – –
(CSP) capacity2
Wind power capacity China United States Germany India Brazil
Solar water heating capacity China Turkey Brazil India United States
Biodiesel production United States Brazil Argentina/Germany/Indonesia
Fuel ethanol production United States Brazil China Canada Thailand
POWER
Renewable power (incl. hydro) China United States Brazil Germany Canada
Renewable power (not incl. hydro) China United States Germany Japan India
Renewable power capacity per capita
Iceland Denmark Sweden/Germany Spain/Finland
(not including hydro3)
Bio-power generation United States China Germany Brazil Japan
Geothermal power capacity United States Philippines Indonesia New Zealand Mexico
Hydropower capacity4 China Brazil United States Canada Russian Federat.
Hydropower generation4 China Brazil Canada United States Russian Federat.
CSP capacity Spain United States India South Africa Morocco
Solar PV capacity China Japan Germany United States Italy
Solar PV capacity per capita Germany Japan Italy Belgium Australia/Greece
Wind power capacity China United States Germany India Spain
Wind power capacity per capita Denmark Sweden Germany Ireland Portugal
HEAT
Solar water heating collector capacity5 China United States Turkey Germany Brazil
Solar water heating collector Barbados Austria Cyprus Israel Greece
capacity per capita 5
Geothermal heat capacity 6 China Turkey Japan Iceland India
Geothermal heat capacity per capita 6
Iceland New Zealand Hungary Turkey Japan
1
Countries considered include only those covered by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF); GDP (at purchasers’ prices) data for 2015 from World Bank. BNEF data include the following: all biomass,
geothermal and wind power projects of more than 1 MW; all hydropower projects of between 1 and 50 MW; all solar power projects, with those less than 1 MW (small-scale capacity) estimated separately; all
ocean energy projects; and all biofuel projects with an annual production capacity of 1 million litres or more. Small-scale capacity data used to help calculate investment per unit of GDP cover only those countries
investing USD 200 million or more.
2
Only two countries brought CSP plants online in 2016, which is why no countries are listed in places 3, 4 and 5.
3
Per capita renewable power capacity (not including hydropower) ranking based on data gathered from various sources for more than 70 countries and on 2015 population data from World Bank.
4
Country rankings for hydropower capacity and generation differ because some countries rely on hydropower for baseload supply whereas others use it more to follow the electric load and to match peaks in demand.
5
Solar water heating collector rankings for total capacity and per capita are for year-end 2015 and are based on capacity of water (glazed and unglazed) collectors only. Data from International Energy Agency
Solar Heating and Cooling Programme. Total capacity rankings are estimated to remain unchanged for year-end 2016.
6
Not including heat pumps.
Note: Most rankings are based on absolute amounts of investment, power generation capacity or output, or biofuels production; if done on a basis of per capita, national GDP or other, the rankings would be different for
many categories (as seen with per capita rankings for renewable power not including hydropower, solar PV, wind power, solar water collector and geothermal heat capacity).
15
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
16
KEY PLAYERS DRIVING THE
RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITION
While many renewable energy pioneers – including the United
States and several countries in Europe – continue to play an
important role in the renewable energy transition, new key
players have emerged:
17
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
Wind power
Top turbine manufacturers had a good year in 2016, and
technology innovation continued in the face of competition
from low-cost natural gas and, increasingly, from solar PV.
New markets continued to open around the world. By year’s
end, more than 90 countries were active in developing wind
power projects. Offshore wind saw the first commercial
projects come online in the Republic of Korea and the
United States, and substantial new capacity was added in
Germany, the Netherlands and China. At least 24 countries
met 5% or more of their annual electricity demand with
wind power in 2016, and at least 13 met more than 10%.
Ocean energy
While more companies around the world advanced ocean
energy technologies and deployed new and improved
devices, the industry continues to face perennial challenges.
Chief among these is financing due to relatively high risk
and high upfront costs and the need for improved planning,
consenting and licensing procedures.
18
4) Policy matters: A system approach is needed across all including through efficiency measures and sector coupling (for
sectors. example the integration of power and transport networks); and
a wide range of enabling technologies. The systemic approach
Policy support for renewables in 2016, as in past years, focused should become the norm in energy and infrastructure planning,
mostly on power generation, whereas policies for the heating and financing and policy development.
cooling and transport sectors has remained virtually stagnant.
This has to change: strong policy support for all three pillars of n Power: Many countries are shifting away from feed-in policies
the sustainable energy transition is needed if we are to achieve and replacing them with auctions aimed at deploying large-scale
the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. Policy support can take renewable energy projects. This approach has greatly reduced
many forms, at both the national and sub-national levels: targets; prices of renewable power, although in some cases, due to
feed-in policies; auctions (also called competitive bidding or scheduling delays, it has had negative consequences, such as
tenders); regulatory mandates; changes in building codes; fuel reducing market continuity and increasing market insecurity.
efficiency standards; and grants, loans and subsidies. Regardless The continuously delayed energy auctions in South Africa, for
of the chosen policy framework, transparency and stability are example, caused serious problems for the national renewables
essential. industry. It is crucial to link energy planning, policy design/
formulation and industry development if such consequences are
Several specific policy recommendations should be emphasised: to be avoided. By taking a more strategic approach to energy
planning, and ensuring the long-term predictability of auction
n A systemic approach: First and foremost, as the share of
schedules, continuous market opportunities can be created. This
renewable energy grows to significant levels in a country or
will help in developing a strong renewable power industry around
region, a systemic approach will be needed. Conversations about
which skills can be built and local value can be created. It also is
how to integrate high shares of variable renewable energy into
important to support the deployment of distributed and locally
the power system clearly benefit from looking beyond the narrow
owned renewable energy projects.
confines of a single grid, a single country, a single city or a single
sector – as many have begun to do. In a systemic approach, what n Transport: Policy support for improving the sustainability of
constitutes a renewables-based energy system moves beyond transport traditionally has focused on increasing energy efficiency
the traditional, narrow construct of renewable energy sources and expanding the use of biofuels (including advanced biofuels
(wind, solar, hydropower, etc.) to a broader definition which for aviation and maritime transport). Governments should set
includes supporting infrastructure such as transmission and clear policies to: facilitate research and market opportunities for
distribution networks; supply and demand balancing measures, advancing the development of sustainable biofuels; ensure that
19
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
Number of countries
130
Power Policies
126 Countries
120 with Power Feed-in tariff/premium
117 118 Policies payment
110 Tendering
Net metering
100
Renewable portfolio
standard (RPS)
90
80
Countries
with Heating and
70 Cooling Policies
66 68 Transport
64 Policies Solar heat obligation
60
Technology-neutral
Countries with heat obligation
50
Heating and
Cooling (H&C)
40
Policies
30 Transport
Policies
20 21 21 21 Biodiesel obligation/
mandate
10 Ethanol obligation/
mandate
0 Non-blend mandate
Power H&C Transport Power H&C Transport Power H&C Transport
2014 2015 2016
Note: Figure does not show all policy types in use. In many cases countries have enacted additional fiscal incentives or public finance mechanisms to support
renewable energy. Heating and cooling policies do not include renewable heat FITs (i.e., in the United Kingdom). Countries are considered to have policies
when at least one national or state/provincial-level policy is in place. A country is counted a single time if it has one or more national and/or state/provincial-
level policies. Some transport policies include both biodiesel and ethanol; in this case, the policy is counted once in each category (biodiesel and ethanol).
Tendering policies are presented in a given year if a jurisdiction has held at least one tender during that year.
Source: REN21 Policy Database
20
POLICY DEVELOPMENT IN 2016
Nearly all countries adopted or had existing policies in 2016 PERSISTENT CHALLENGES
to support the development and deployment of renewable
energy technology. These included energy efficiency Policy remains focused primarily on the power sector. At
and renewable energy targets, direct (financial) support the national/sub-national level, regulatory policies in the
policies, and policies to facilitate the integration of variable power sector exist in nearly twice as many countries as in
renewable generation into national energy systems. the transport sector, and in six times as many countries as in
the heating and cooling sector.
Power: Renewable energy auctions were held in
34 countries in 2016 – more than double the year Transport: The number of countries with biofuel blending
before – with Malawi and Zambia holding their first auctions. mandates has remained basically flat, with the total number
Auctions are the most rapidly expanding form of support for of countries implementing this policy having increased by
renewable energy project deployment and are becoming only two since 2015. Additionally, comprehensive transport
the preferred policy tool for supporting deployment of large- policies linking renewables and EVs are not progressing
scale projects. rapidly.
Transport: As of the end of 2016, biofuel blend Heating and cooling: The number of countries with
mandates existed in 68 countries at the national/ renewable heating obligations remains at 21, making 2016
sub-national level, with Argentina, India, Malaysia, Panama the third year in a row that not a single new country adopted
and Zimbabwe having added or revised mandates, and this policy.
Denmark adopting an advanced biofuels mandate.
Energy efficiency: Although many countries have adopted
Heating and cooling: Several countries enacted energy efficiency targets, several still lack policies to achieve
new financial support mechanisms for renewable them, particularly in developing countries. Furthermore,
heating and cooling or revised existing ones, including policies that support energy efficiency and renewables are
Bulgaria, Chile, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, not sufficiently integrated globally.
Romania, the Slovak Republic and the United States.
21
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
Countries with
policies at start-2016
Countries with policies
at start-2016 and that added
a policy/policies in 2016
Countries without policies
at start-2016 and that added
a policy/policies in 2016
State/provincial
(not national) policies
Countries that held renewable Source: REN21 Policy Database
energy-only tenders in 2016
Note: Figure shows countries with Renewable Portfolio Standards, feed-in tariffs/premium payments
Countries with and net metering policies. Countries are considered to have policies when at least one national-level
no policy or no data policy is in place; these countries may have state/provincial-level policies in place as well. Diagonal
lines indicate that countries have no policies in place at the national level but have at least one policy
at the state/provincial level.
22
Countries with Biofuels Obligations for Transport, 2016
Note: Figure shows countries with biofuels obligations in the transport sector. Countries are considered to have policies when at least one national-level policy
is in place; these countries may have state/provincial-level policies in place as well. Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, the State of Palestine and Zambia added
obligations during 2010-2012 but removed them during 2013-2015.
JOBS 2016
Jobs in Renewable Energy
Bioenergy
biomass, biofuels,
biogas
Geothermal
Solar energy
solar PV, CSP, solar
heating/cooling
Wind power
Hydropower
(small-scale)
Hydropower
(large-scale)
= 50,000 jobs
8.3 million + 1.5 million
Source: IRENA
World
Total: 9.8 million jobs
23
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
Fossil fuels
78.4%
Biomass/ Hydropower
Modern renewables geothermal/
solar heat 3.6%
10.2%
All renewables
4.2%
19.3% Traditional biomass Wind/solar/biomass/ Biofuels
geothermal power for transport
9.1% 1.6% 0.8%
Nuclear power
2.3%
Non-renewable electricity
Wind power
75.5% Hydropower
4.0%
16.6%
Bio-power
Renewable
2.0%
electricity
Solar PV
24.5% 1.5%
Ocean, CSP and geothermal power
0.4%
Renewable Power Capacities* in World, BRICS, EU-28 and Top 6 Countries, 2016
Gigawatts
1000
921 Gigawatts
900 300
800 258
Ocean, CSP and
250
geothermal power
700
Bio-power
Solar PV
600 200
Wind power
500
150
145
400 * Not including hydropower.
Distinction is made because
333 98
300
300 hydropower remains the
100 largest single component
by far of renewable power
200 capacity, and thus can
51 46 mask developments in
50 other renewable energy
100 33 technologies if included.
The five BRICS countries
0 0 are Brazil, the Russian
World BRICS EU-28 China United Germany Japan India Italy Federation, India, China and
Total States South Africa.
24
BIOMASS ENERGY
Shares of Biomass in Total Final Energy Consumption and in Final Energy
Traditional Modern Non-
Consumption, by End-use Sector, 2015 biomass biomass biomass
100%
Electricity Transport Modern 2.6 2.4
heat: 7.3
Non-biomass
0.4% 0.8% industry 20.5
85.9% 2.5% 2.8 75%
50%
Traditional
biomass
Biomass
9.1%
14.1% 25%
0%
Modern heat: buildings
100
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Billion litres
World Total
150
135 Billion Litres
Hydrotreated
120 vegetable oil (HVO)
Biodiesel (FAME)
Fuel ethanol
90
60
30
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
25
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
GEOTHERMAL POWER
Cost (USD per person per day)
Indonesia
46%
Kenya
6%
Turkey
Mexico
44% 3% 0.1%
Japan
Megawatts
4,000
3,500
Added in 2016
3,000 2015 Total
2,500
2,000
+205
1,500
+16
1,000
+197
+29 +1
500
0
United Philippines Indonesia New Mexico Italy Turkey Iceland Kenya Japan Rest of
States Zealand World
United States
9%
China
28%
Canada
9%
Russian
Brazil India Federation
9% Gigawatts
4% 4%
350
+8.9%
300
Added in 2
Rest of World
40%
250 2015 Total
200
150
+5.3%
100
At least 25 GW of HYDROPOWER CAPACITY
50
was commissioned, and
+2.0% +1.5% +1.1% +1.0%
+0.8% PUMPED STORAGE
+0.7% +0.6%
0
China Brazil
grew by more than
Ecuador Ethiopia Vietnam 6 GW.
Peru Turkey Lao PDR Malaysia
Hydropower Capacity and Additions, Top 9 Countries for Capacity Added, 2016
Gigawatts
350
+8.9
300
+5.3
250 100
27
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
SOLAR PV
Solar PV Global Capacity and Annual Additions, 2006-2016
Gigawatts
350
World Total
303 Gigawatts
300
+75 Annual
additions
250
228
+51
200
177
+40
150 137 Previous
+38
year's
99 capacity
Total 100
+29
global 70
capacity +30
50 23 40
6 8 16 +8 +17
+2.5 +6.6
+1.4
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Source: IEA PVPS.
Gigawatts
350
World Total
303 Gigawatts Rest of World
300
Italy
United States
250
228 Japan
Germany
200
177 China
150 137
99
Total 100
global 70
capacity
50 40
16 23
6 8
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
28
Solar PV Capacity and Additions, Top 10 Countries, 2016
46%
Gigawatts
80 +34.5
Added in 70
2016
60
50
of new capacity.
+8.6 +1.5 +14.8
2015 40
total
30
20 +0.4
+2 +4.1
10 +0.6 +0.9 +0.1
0
China Japan Germany United Italy United India France Australia Spain
States Kingdom
United States
9% Republic of Korea 1.1%
Australia 1.1%
Rest of world
20% Philippines 1.0%
8% Chile 1.0%
70
60 Grid-
connected
50 centralised
40
30
20
10
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Source: IEA PVPS.
29
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
World Total
Gigawatts
5 4.8 Gigawatts
Rest of
world
3 Spain
United
States 1
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
World Total
Gigawatt-hours
12
11.9 Gigawatt-hours
11.2 +0.7
Annual
+1.4
additions
10 9.8 9.8
+3.3 0.0
8
Previous
6.5 year's
6 +2.0 capacity
4.5
4 +2.6
Total
global 1.9
capacity 2
+1.1
0.8
0.04 0.4 +0.4
+0.4
0
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
30
SOLAR THERMAL HEATING AND COOLING
Solar Water Heating Collectors Global Capacity, 2006-2016
Gigawatts-hours
Gigawatts-thermal World Total
500
456 Gigawatts-thermal
435
409 Glazed
400
374 collectors
330
300 285
242
203
200
170
145
Total 124
global 100
capacity
Unglazed
collectors
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Gigawatts-
thermal
30.0
Gigawatts-
thermal Unglazed collectors
1.2
20.0
1.0
0.9
15.0
0.6
10.0
0.3
5.0
1.0
0 0
il
es
lia
ce
ly
ca
nd
ria
na
nd
an
ce
ae
az
an
ke
ar
in
di
ic
ai
Ita
ra
at
an
ri
e
st
hi
p
la
la
Isr
ex
Ch
In
Sp
m
Br
r
re
Af
Ja
St
st
Tu
Au
Po
,C
er
Fr
en
M
er
G
Au
it z
h
d
ei
G
ut
te
Sw
ip
So
i
Ta
Un
31
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
WIND POWER
Wind Power Global Capacity and Annual Additions, 2006-2016
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Added +23.4
in 2016
150
100
2015
+8.2
total
50
+5
+3.6 ~0
+0.7 +1.6 +0.7 +2 +0.3
Note: Germany's additions
are net of decommissioning 0
and repowering. "~0"
denotes capacity additions China United Germany India Spain United France Canada Brazil Italy
of less than 50 MW. States Kingdom
32
Wind Power Offshore Global Capacity, by Region, 2006-2016
Gigawatts
16
14.4
14 North America
Asia 12.2
12
Europe
10
8.1
8
7.9
6 5.4
4.1
4 3.2
2.2
2
1.1 1.5
0.8
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Share of Electricity Demand Met by Wind Power, Selected Countries Over 10% and EU28, 2016
%
100
W I N D
90
80
70
ay
ia
en
ca
ria
k
ga
an
ru
ar
ni
ai
-2
an
do
gu
K i ni t
Ri
ed
st
la
ua
r tu
Sp
m
yp
EU
m
m
I re
Au
ru
a
Sw
en
th
er
C
Po
Ro
st
U
Li
G
D
Co
33
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
India 3.1
2.6
Kenya 1.2
0.8
Ethiopia 0.5
0.6 2016
2015
Uganda 0.4
0.2 Source: GOGLA/IFC.
*Data reported for global sales
Tanzania 0.4 represent approximately 50%
of all sales of off-grid products.
0.6
See endnote 25 for this chapter.
158 30 m
d.light
150
21 m
Sunfunder
100 20 m 20 m
BBOXX Mobisol
66
50
19
3
0
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
34
Number of Domestic Biogas Plants Installed in Top 5 Countries, Total and Annual Additions, 2014-2016
Million installations
China
42.6
India 4.7
Installations
Nepal 366,065
Vietnam 247,902
Bangladesh 45,610 Total end-2016
Added in 2016
Cambodia 25,164
Added in 2015
Kenya 17,554 Total end-2014
Number of Clean Cook Stoves Added in Top 5 Countries, 2014 and 2015
Million units
10.6
China
5.7
3.2
India
2.2
1.5
Ethiopia
1.8
Heat
0.7
Nigeria
0.8 2015
2014 Fuel
0.7 Air
Bangladesh
0.5
0 2,000,000 4,000,000 6,000,000 8,000,000 10,000,000
20
18.2 18.4
16
12 11.5
9.0
8
4
1.8
0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
35
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
56.2
Solar power
17.6 39.9 57.5
- 34%
60.6
Wind power
16.9 35.0 51.9 - 9%
5.2
Bio-power
1.6
0%
Small-scale 0.2
hydropower 3.4 0%
1.8
Biofuels
0.5
- 37%
Developed countries
Geothermal 0.8
power
2.0
China + 17%
Other developing countries
0.2
Ocean energy
0.011
- 7%
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Source: BNEF
Global New Investment in Renewable Power and Fuels, by Country and Region, 2006-2016
United States
Billion USD
60
51.4
49.6
46.4
40.6
38.4
39.3
35.8
35.3
33.8
40
29.3
23.9
20 United States
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
20
12.3
12.4
10.4
9.5
6.1
5.9
10
5.5
4.8
3.7
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Brazil
Brazil
Billion USD
20
11.5
10.3
9.8
7.8
8.2
8.1
7.1
7.4
6.8
10
4.4
5.1
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Africa & Middle East
9.2
9.0
9.6
9.7
8.4
8.0
8.4
7.7
6.8
6.6
5.7
10 10
5.4
4.2
4.2
3.2
2.3
1.9
1.7
1.2
0 0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
36
Global Investment in Power Capacity, by Type (Renewable, Fossil Fuel and Nuclear Power), 2012-2016
Billion USD
350
Fossil and nuclear
Fossil fuel
300
Nuclear
power
250
Modern renewables
200
Solar PV
Wind power
150
Large-scale
hydropower
100
Bio-power
Other*
50
0
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Source: BNEF.
* CSP, geothermal, small-scale hydropower and ocean energy
Source:
Europe BNEF.
123.8
Note: Data
Europe include
Billion USD
113.9
120 government
and
corporate
R&D.
100
88.9
82.5
81.3
80
67.4
63.0
59.4
59.8
58.1
60
46.8
China 40
20
Asia &
Oceania
(excl. China
0
& India) 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
115.4
China
Billion USD
India
100
87.3
78.3
Billion USD
58.3
60 60
50.5
46.1
46.0
45.3
41.4
38.1
40 40
30.9
26.8
25.1
25.3
20.0
16.6
13.6
14.5
20 20
12.8
11.1
10.1
0 0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
37
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES
Global Grid-Connected Stationary Battery Storage Capacity, by Country, 2006-2016
Megawatts
1,800
1,719
Rest of World
1,600
Chile
1,400 Italy
Germany
1,200 Japan 1,147
Republic of Korea
1,000
United States
Grid-connected
786
800
BATTERY
600
503
620 STORAGE
grew by
+ 50%
417
400
312 345
245 246 290
200
in 2016.
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES
such as information and communication
technologies, storage and EVs facilitate
GREATER USE OF RENEWABLES.
Global Passenger Electric Vehicle Market (Including PHEVs), 2012-2016
Vehicles sold
in thousands Market growth (%)
800
775 80%
700 70%
Rest of World
600 60%
Japan 548
Norway
500 50% Global
EU market
China growth
400 40%
United States
319
300 30%
By the end of 2016,
213 2 MILLION
Global 200 20% PASSENGER EVs
vehicle 129 were on the world's
sales roads. EVs
100 10% accounted for around
1% OF GLOBAL
PASSENGER CAR
0 0 SALES.
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
38
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Global Primary Energy Intensity and Total Primary Energy Supply, 2010-2015
Mtoe koe/USD2005
Mtoe 15,000
Mtoe koe/USDkoe/USD
2005 2005
15,000 15,000 13,778
12,900 13,778
13,778 0.20
12,900
12,500 12,900 0.20 0.20
Compound average
12,500 12,500 annual change
+1.3% CompoundCompound
average
annual change
average
annual change
+1.3%
+1.3% 10,000 0.166 0.15
0.166 0.166 0.149
10,000 10,000 0.15 0.15
-2.1%
Compound average 0.149 0.149 -2.1%
-2.1%
Compoundannual
Compound change
average average 7,500
annual change
annual change
7,500 7,500 0.10
0.10 0.10
5,000
ENERGY INTENSITY
5,000 5,000 is the ratio between
0.05 the gross inland
Global primary 2,500
energy 0.05 0.05 consumption of
Global intensity
Global primary primary
2,500 2,500 energy and GDP
energy intensity
energyprimary
Global intensity calculated for
energy supply 0
a calendar year.
Global primary
Global primary 0
energy supply
energy supply 0 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 20150 0
Note: Dollars are at constant purchasing 2010 parities.
2010 power 2011 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 2015
39
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
Peak
Peak
Power
Power
generation
generation
Intermediate
Intermediate
andPeak
and
Peak dispatchable
dispatchable
Power
Power
generation
generation
Peak
Peak
Intermediate
Intermediate
andBaseload
and
dispatchable
Baseloaddispatchable
Intermediate
Intermediate
andand
dispatchable
dispatchable
0:000:00 4:004:00 8:008:00 12:0012:00 16:0016:00 20:00
20:00 24:00
24:00
Baseload
Baseload
Baseload
In the early stages of progression to larger shares of variableBaseload
renewable generation, power systems make some
0:000:00 4:004:00 8:008:00 12:00
adjustments in 12:00 16:00
their grid 16:00 20:00
operations,20:00 24:00
develop 24:00
forecasting systems for renewable energy production,
and introduce improved control technology and operating procedures for efficient Power
Power
generation
generation
scheduling and dispatch.
0:000:00 Demand
4:004:00
shiftshift8:008:00
Demand 12:00
12:00 16:00
16:00 20:00
20:00 24:00
24:00
Demand
Demand
shift
shift R toRearly
to early
morning
morning
lowslows
B) The Early Transition
Peak
Peak Power
Power
generation
generation
Demand shiftshift
Demand
Intermediate
Intermediate
Demand
Demand shift
shift R toRearly
to early
morning
morning
lowslows
andand dispatchable Power
dispatchable Power
generation
generation
Demand shiftshift
Demand Peak
Peak
Demand
Demand shift
shift R toRearly
to early
morning
morning
lowslows
Baseload
Baseload
Intermediate
Intermediate
Peak
andPeak
and
dispatchable
dispatchable
Variable
Variable
Intermediate
Intermediate
renewable
renewable
andBaseload
and energy
energy
dispatchable
dispatchable
Baseload
0:000:00 4:004:00 8:008:00 12:0012:00 16:0016:00 20:00
20:00 24:00
24:00
Variable
Variable
Baseload
Baseload
renewable
renewable
energy
energy
0:000:00 4:004:00 8:008:00 12:00
12:00 16:00
16:00 20:00
20:00 24:00
24:00 Variable
Variable
renewable
renewable
energy
energy
0:000:00 4:004:00 8:008:00 12:00
12:00 16:00
16:00 20:00
20:00 24:00
24:00
In the late stages of progression towards fully renewable power systems, variable renewable power will be integrated
Power
Power
generation
generation
through advanced resource forecasting, grid reinforcements and strengthened interconnections, improved information
and control technologies for grid operations, widespread deployment of storage technologies, greaterRefficiency
Over-production
Over-production forRstorage and
for storage
Over-production
Over-production or trade
or trade
(for storage/ scope of demand response, and coupling of electricity, heating and cooling, and transport sectors.
(for storage/
export)
export) Storage
Storage
or or Power
Power
generation
generation fromfrom
solarsolar
and and
import/trade
import/trade windwind
peakspeaks
C) A New Paradigm
Over-production
Over-production Over-production
Over-production R forRstorage
for storage
or trade
or trade
(for storage/
(for storage/
Power
Power
generation
generation
* *
export)
export) Dispatchable
Dispatchable
Storage
Storage
or or fromfrom
solar
solar
Rand
R for for and
storage
storage
Over-production
Over-production Over-production
Over-production
import/trade
import/trade windwind
peaks
orpeaks
trade
or trade
(for (for
storage/
storage/
export)
export) Storage
Storage
or or fromfrom
solarsolar
and and
import/trade
import/trade
Variable
Variable windwind
peakspeaks * *
Dispatchable
Dispatchable
renewable
renewable
energy
energy
* *
Dispatchable
Dispatchable
0:000:00 4:004:00 8:008:00 12:0012:00 16:0016:00 20:00
20:00 24:00
24:00
Variable
Variable * CSP
* CSP
withwith
thermal
thermal
energy
energy
storage
storage
renewable
renewable
energy
energy
Variable
Variable
0:000:00 4:004:00 8:008:00 12:00
12:00 16:00
16:00 20:00
20:00 24:00
24:00 renewable
renewable
energy
energy * CSP
* CSP
withwith
thermal
thermal
energy
energy
storage
storage
Coal- Oil- Diesel Nuclear Natural Hydro- Bio- Solar PV Geothermal Wind power
fired fired generator gas-fired power power and CSP power
40
Overview of Approximate Impacts and Responses to Rising Shares of Variable Renewable Energy
over 50%
Impacts No noticeable Small increase in Growing supply Elevated supply Structural surplus
impacts. supply variability variability and variability and of VRE generation
and uncertainty is uncertainty has uncertainty has and seasonal
noticeable at the significant impacts major impacts energy imbalances.
system operations at the system at the system
level. operations level. operations level.
Limited impact Noticeable impact Noticeable impact
on operations of on operations of on operations of
individual power some power plants. virtually all power
plants. plants.
Response No additional Some adjust- Significant changes to Major changes to Additional steps to
Requirements measures. ments in system system operations. system operations. manage supply and
operations and demand imbalances.
grid infrastructure. Greater flexibility of Significant additional
supply and demand. flexibility of supply
and demand.
Some grid reinforce-
ment for voltage Significant grid
and frequency stability. reinforcement for
voltage and
frequency stability.
Resource
forecasting n nn nnn nnn
Grid operations n nn nnn nnn
RESPONSES
Storage n nn nnn
Demand
management n nn nnn
Grid
reinforcement n nn nnn
Sector coupling n nnn
Examples of Gathering Establishing a Managing variability Improving signifi- Sector coupling
Technological and information renewable energy through advanced cantly the efficiency – electrification
about grid production fore- resource forecasting, and scope of of heating, cooling
Operational conditions cast system. improved transmission demand response and transport as
Responses and planning, infrastructure and with better informa- a daily, weekly and
including Introducing a significantly more tion and control even seasonal buffer
technical improved control dynamic operation of technology. for VRE generation.
standards, for technology and a growing number of
future growth operating proce- dispatchable system Deploying significant Converting electricity
in VRE. dures for efficient resources. additional advanced into chemical forms
scheduling and storage on the grid that can be stored
dispatch of system Co-ordination across and behind the meter (e.g., hydrogen).
resources. control areas with for energy balancing
the aid of improved and for voltage and
information and frequency support.
control technology,
and strengthened
transmission
interconnections.
Note: This table represents generalisations. Various impacts and priorities for technological and operational responses will vary by system and will not be confined
to a single path.
41
HIGHLIGHTS 2017
42
The REN21 Secretariat has produced this document to highlight the important trends that have occurred in 2016 and put them
in perspective of the global energy transition. It draws on elements from its Renewables 2017 Global Status Report.
DISCLAIMER:
REN21 releases issue papers and reports to emphasise the importance of renewable energy
and to generate discussion on issues central to the promotion of renewable energy. While
REN21 papers and reports have benefited from the considerations and input from the REN21
REN21 is committed to community, they do not necessarily represent a consensus among network participants on
mobilising global action any given point. Although the information given in this report is the best available to the authors
to meet SEforALL objectives. at the time, REN21 and its participants cannot be held liable for its accuracy and correctness.
PHOTO CREDITS
page 6-7 jasonblackeye.com/ page 21 Stockr / shutterstock.com page 30 NREL / © Warren Gretz
unsplash.com page 23 © Dennis Schroeder / page 32-33 shutterstock.com
page 9 © Alex Wong, killerfvith. NREL
com / unsplash.com Production line /
page 26 Heizwerk Freiham, © Nordex
page 10-11 Nellis Air Force Base / Munich, Germany /
© Sunpower © Marcus Schlaf page 34 © Simpa Networks, India
page 13 www.alvaroarroyo.com / page 35 © Global Alliance for
istockphoto Dieng geothermal
wells / © Noor Patria Clean Cookstoves
page 14 Staumauer Muttsee, Budhiekusuma
Switzerland / © Fotowerder page 38 Roenkhausen, Germany
page 16-17 asharkyu / shutterstock. page 27 Johnson76 / shutterstock. © Hans Blossey
com com
page 42-43 Energy Storage /
page 18 Englebright Dam on the Lake Kwiecko, Zydowo, © Stornetic
Yuba River / © Gary Saxe Poland / © Lukasz
page 19 Khi Solar One, South Africa Siekierski
/ © planet.com page 28-29 shutterstock.com
43
HIGHLIGHTS
2017
REN21 Secretariat
c/o UN Environment
1 Rue Miollis
Building VII
75015 Paris
France
www.ren21.net ISBN
ISBN978-3-9818107-7-6
978-3-9815934-7-1