Integrating E-mobility into the electrical grid

E-Mobility is more than established as a crucial solution to cope with the mobility sector challenges arising from climate change, global warming and the need for decarbonisation. There is a considerable increase of electric and hybrid cars in the portfolio of automotive producers; regulators demand and support the expansion of E-Mobility through regulatory frameworks and incentive schemes.

The worldwide increasing share of electric and hybrid cars raises the question of how can these vehicles be best integrated in our electrical grids. While necessary grid expansions could be a challenge, opportunities are much more significant; Especially the storage function of battery electric vehicles can flexibly contribute to network stability and storage – a crucial challenge regarding the increasing share of renewable energy in our energy systems. 

Thus, E-Mobility offers a more than substantial contribution to decarbonisation. The buzz words ‘Vehicle-to-grid’ and ‘grid-to-vehicle’ indicate that new business models are emerging and E-Mobility might become a crucial part of a more flexible integrated energy system in the future. Moreover, the transformation of the energy and the mobility sector – Energiewende and Verkehrswende – evolve into a joint project and sector-coupling becomes more than a catchword.

This webinar illustrates this new role of E-Mobility from the different viewpoints of the automotive industry, energy providers and key stakeholders in the energy policy debate. 

Watch the recording of the webinar - “Integrating E-mobility into the electrical grid.”

Perspectives for the energy transition: Investment needs for a low-carbon energy system

This joint study looks at the potential for decarbonisation in the energy sector in G20 countries and around the world. Chapter 3, “Global Energy Transition Prospects and the Role of Renewables”, highlights findings from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Note: CO₂ emissions include energy-related emissions (fossil fuel, waste, gas flaring) and process emissions from industry. If only fossil fuel emissions were displayed in this figure, CO₂ emissions in 2050 would be at 42 Gt and 10 Gt per year in the Reference Case and REmap, respectively.

See the full report or the executive summary.

Decarbonisation of the energy sector requires urgent action on a global scale. Around two thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to fossil fuel energy supply and use. Carbon emissions must be reduced considerably faster to mitigate the effects of climate change.

To meet the climate goals set in the Paris Agreement and keep the global temperature rise to below 2 degrees, the carbon-dioxide (CO₂) emission intensity of the global economy would need to be reduced by 85% in 35 years. This means reducing energy CO₂ emissions by 2.6% per year on average, or 0.6 gigatonnes (Gt) per year in absolute terms.

Read the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) story - “Perspectives for the energy transition: Investment needs for a low-carbon energy system.”

Pathways spell out deep decarbonisation aims for Australia

T

he 'Pathways to Deep Decarbonisation in 2050: How Australia can prosper in a low carbon world' report, released 23 September 2014, presents an illustrative deep decarbonisation pathway for Australia – just one of many possible pathways – developed using a combination of well-established modelling tools to identify feasible and least-cost options.

This work finds that Australia can achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and live within its recommended carbon budget, using technologies that exist today, while maintaining economic prosperity.

Major technological transitions and many activities are needed in some industries, but no fundamental change to Australia’s economy is required. The technologies required for decarbonisation are currently available or under development.

Read the ClimateWorks story - “Pathways to deep carbonisation in 2050: How Australia can prosper on alow carbon world”.