Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1038/nenergy.2017.124
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Title (Primary) Efficient and equitable spatial allocation of renewable power plants at the country scale
Author Drechsler, M.; Egerer, J.; Lange, M.; Masurowski, F. ORCID logo ; Meyerhoff, J.; Oehlmann, M.
Source Titel Nature Energy
Year 2017
Department OESA; NSF
Volume 2
Page From art. 17124
Language englisch
Supplements https://media.nature.com/original/nature-assets/nenergy/2017/nenergy2017124/extref/nenergy2017124-s1.pdf
Keywords Energy economics; Energy infrastructure; Energy justice; Renewable energy
UFZ wide themes RU5
Abstract Globally, the production of renewable energy is undergoing rapid growth. One of the most pressing issues is the appropriate allocation of renewable power plants, as the question of where to produce renewable electricity is highly controversial. Here we explore this issue through analysis of the efficient and equitable spatial allocation of wind turbines and photovoltaic power plants in Germany. We combine multiple methods, including legal analysis, economic and energy modelling, monetary valuation and numerical optimization. We find that minimum distances between renewable power plants and human settlements should be as small as is legally possible. Even small reductions in efficiency lead to large increases in equity. By considering electricity grid expansion costs, we find a more even allocation of power plants across the country than is the case when grid expansion costs are neglected.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=19026
Drechsler, M., Egerer, J., Lange, M., Masurowski, F., Meyerhoff, J., Oehlmann, M. (2017):
Efficient and equitable spatial allocation of renewable power plants at the country scale
Nat. Energy 2 , art. 17124 10.1038/nenergy.2017.124