Uncertainties in decarbonising heat in the UK

Chaudry, Modassar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5577-9790, Abeysekera, Muditha ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1743-3254, Hosseini, Seyed Hamid Reza, Jenkins, Nicholas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3082-6260 and Wu, Jianzhong ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7928-3602 2015. Uncertainties in decarbonising heat in the UK. Energy Policy 87 , pp. 623-640. 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.07.019

Preview

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract

Heating is arguably one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise in the UK's energy system. Meeting the 80% greenhouse gas emission reduction target by 2050 is likely to require that heat related emissions of CO2 from buildings are near zero by 2050, and there is a 70% reduction in emissions from industry (from 1990 levels). Though it is clear that the use of the natural gas network will reduce over time, recent modelling suggests a limited residual role for gas by 2050 to help meet peaks in heat demand. High levels of uncertainty about the way in which heat will be decarbonised present a number of challenges to policy makers. This paper will explore the risks and uncertainties associated with the transition to a low carbon heat system in the UK as outlined by the 4th carbon budget review. The potential impact of key uncertainties on the levelised costs of heat technologies and the development of energy networks are explored using a sensitivity analysis approach. Policy changes required to decarbonise the heat sector are also examined.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Uncertainties; Heat; Gas; District heating; Electricity; Infrastructure
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0301-4215
Funders:	NERC
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Date of Acceptance:	17 July 2015
Last Modified:	19 May 2023 20:20
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/75558

Citation Data

Cited 66 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item