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The urgency of meeting climate targets, increasing land use competition and falling solar photovoltaic (PV) energy costs have created unprecedented opportunities for innovative deployment options. This study uses geospatial data processing to quantify the potential for large-scale deployment of vertical solar panels along Europe's major roads and railways. Factors such as geography, environmental constraints, land use limitations, and techno-economic parameters, were carefully considered. An economic assessment is provided to take account of the costs and benefits and technical feasibility of the proposed PV system as compared to the fossil-fuel based transport. The findings reveal a potential PV capacity of 403 GWp within the European Union (EU). This is the equivalent to 55% of the EU's total solar PV capacity target set for 2030. Using bifacial PV modules, these systems could generate 391 TWh (terawatt hours) of clean electricity annually. Considering only railway lines, the total annual PV electricity output could potentially reach 250% of the current annual electricity consumption of the EU railway network. Additionally, the electricity generated from PV installations alongside roads would not only be cost-effective in electricity markets but also serve as a viable alternative to fossil fuels in transportation. Tapping solar PV energy along transport infrastructure can therefore significantly contribute to the EU's energy transition. [Display omitted] • Potential PV tech. installed capacity corresponds to 55% of the EU target 2030. • Using bifacial PV modules along roads & rails could produce 391 TWh/yr. • PV output along rails could surpass its annual elect. consumption by 2.5 times. • Up to 15% substitution of traditional fuelling along the TEN-T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving carbon-neutrality is increasing the demand of renewable electricity which is raising the competition for land and associated acquisition costs. Installation of floating photovoltaic (FPV) on existing hydropower reservoirs offers one solution to limited land availability while providing solar electricity, leveraging water bodies, and reducing water evaporation losses. This work assesses the potential electricity output of FPVs at regional and national levels on 337 hydropower reservoirs in the EU27 considering four scenarios and two types of floaters. Evaporation, water losses and water savings due to FPVs installation are also estimated using climatic parameters for the year 2018. The reservoirs' total water losses are estimated at 9380 mcm. The installation of FPVs of equal installed capacity as the hydropower plants, has the potential to generate 42.31 TWh covering 2.3% of the total reservoir area. In this case, up to 557 mcm could be saved by installing FPV. The FPVs' multiple benefits and the potential offered by existing hydropower reservoirs are compatible with the EU's goals for net zero emissions and more autonomy from imported fossil fuels and energy transformation. • Potential FPV elect. generation corresponds to 20%–87%, of the total EU solar PV. • Using only 2.3% of total hydropower reservoir areas could produce 42.3 TWh/yr. • Using <15% of EU's reservoir area, FPV output ∼50% of the hydropower generation. • A 10% reservoir area coverage with FPV results in 1717.8 mcm annual water savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy sources have emerged globally as a key lever to ensure energy security and to promote climate mitigation. Cities need to exploit this energy transition, but how they are building their strategies and actions is undetermined. A new dataset, collected through the European 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, offers unique insights on the 362 cities which expressed the ambition to reach climate neutrality by 2030. Insights include their level of preparedness, ambition, capacity and the risks envisaged in the pursuit of zero-emission and greener futures. This study focuses in particular on the role of renewable energy across high greenhouse gas emitting sectors in cities (e.g. buildings, mobility, waste and industry). It analyses i) the status quo for renewable energy generation, consumption, and policymaking, ii) the key measures to enhance and upscale renewable energy deployment in the near future, and iii) how policies and relevant instruments will evolve to curb emissions and accelerate the energy transition. The insights that emerge from the analysis are discussed in relation to existing evidence, to inform future research strands and forms of assistance for cities. Overall, for cities to deliver on large renewable projects, efforts need to be intensified, barriers need to be lifted and multi-governance approaches must be operationalised. [Display omitted] • The role of renewable energy in city plans for climate neutrality is examined. • A novel and comprehensive dataset for 362 cities is used to perform the analysis. • City policies, instruments, key measures, and scalable interventions are discussed. • Conclusions and recommendations are outlined to inform future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]