Incorporating Renewable Energy Sources into Electricity Grids: Challenges for Energy Systems Modeling

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In Canada, 38% of CO2 emissions come from 343 large emitters, of which 14 are coal-fired power plants that account for 12% of total CO2e emissions. At a global level, 45% or more of the electricity generated in China, Australia, India, the U.S. and Germany comes from coal. Although coal’s share of primary energy is projected to decline from 30% in 2012 to 27% by 2035, coal demand will inevitably increase because overall energy demand (especially for electricity) is projected to increase by 41% over the same period. Since the public opposes nuclear energy and there are limits on the expansion of hydroelectric capacity, natural gas and renewables (wind, solar, biomass) constitute the most important alternatives to coal. Natural gas is currently viewed as the best option for replacing coal because of its much lower CO2 emissions and its abundance because of shale gas plays. Yet, policymakers and environmental organizations increasingly focus on renewable energy for addressing climate change.