The Comparative Analysis of Spatial Requirements of Different Decarbonisation Scenarios is a project that focuses on investigating how the future European energy system, largely based on wind and solar, will impact the use of space and land.
The European Union has committed to decarbonise by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement, and the renewables’ development accelerates every year.
While the energy sector will play a crucial role in European strategies to decarbonise, renewables, and the accompanying transmission and distribution infrastructure require space.
Space is a limited and precious resource that can be used in several ways, including:
Since the land use options are many, there is a great competition over it, what can lead to the increase of conflicts over the land and space.
There are multiple plans and strategies available that outline different scenarios for decarbonisation of Europe. They represent implementation pathways that will determine the pace of decarbonisation. This also have implications for spatial requirements when developing related infrastructure.
The Comparative Analysis of Spatial Requirements of Different Decarbonisation Scenarios project will look into already available scenarios (among others, PAC and CLEVER scenarios) and analyse the spacial requirements according to specific assumptions. This is crucial to better understand the implementation effects of different decarbonisation pathways.
Such analysis can stimulate discussions between interested stakeholders, contribute to considerations about suitable “go-to areas” for renewables and adequately plan the next steps in the electricity grid deployment. The project is being realised in collaboration with Reiner Lemoine Institute (RLI) and will conclude in autumn 2023 with a published report and public workshop.