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Response to 'Burden of proof: A comprehensive review of the feasibility of 100% renewable-electricity systems'

Authors :
Brown, T. W.
Bischof-Niemz, T.
Blok, K.
Breyer, C.
Lund, H.
Mathiesen, B. V.
Source :
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 92, September 2018, Pages 834-847
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

A recent article 'Burden of proof: A comprehensive review of the feasibility of 100% renewable-electricity systems' claims that many studies of 100% renewable electricity systems do not demonstrate sufficient technical feasibility, according to the criteria of the article's authors (henceforth 'the authors'). Here we analyse the authors' methodology and find it problematic. The feasibility criteria chosen by the authors are important, but are also easily addressed at low economic cost, while not affecting the main conclusions of the reviewed studies and certainly not affecting their technical feasibility. A more thorough review reveals that all of the issues have already been addressed in the engineering and modelling literature. Nuclear power, which the authors have evaluated positively elsewhere, faces other, genuine feasibility problems, such as the finiteness of uranium resources and a reliance on unproven technologies in the medium- to long-term. Energy systems based on renewables, on the other hand, are not only feasible, but already economically viable and decreasing in cost every year.<br />Comment: 11+7 pages, 2 figures; version 2 contains clarifications and further references; version 3 is the accepted manuscript

Subjects

Subjects :
Physics - Physics and Society

Details

Database :
arXiv
Journal :
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 92, September 2018, Pages 834-847
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsarx.1709.05716
Document Type :
Working Paper
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.04.113