A toolbox of tips for decarbonizing end-use sectors: The International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) has unveiled 100 innovative solutions governments can use to reduce emissions and decarbonize the electrification of end-use sectors, according to a recent report (pdf). The report offers a number of green tech investment suggestions for governments looking to set up decarbonization targets to meet their NDC targets.

What are end-use sectors? These sectors directly consume primary energy from power sources including electricity and natural gas and include a range of services including the transportation, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. Global investments in energy transition tech reached a record of USD 1.3 tn last year, but annual investments in the sector must quadruple to over USD 5 tn to stay on the 1.5°C pathway, Irena notes.

Smart electrification of mobility: The report lays out 35 suggestions for electrifying transport and reducing emissions from the sector, including innovations in EV model evolution and EV batteries. It calls for repurposing spent battery cells — bringing down EV costs — and increasing EV charging points, as well as adopting new charging mechanisms including wireless charging, overhead charging, and portable charging stations.

And innovative pricing: Irena also recommends different pricing for electricity according to the time of day, allowing consumers to pick their preferred electricity consumption periods and charging modes. A single bill for EV charging at home and on-the-go should also be adopted by policy makers to bring down electricity consumption fees and encourage the transition to EVs, the report notes.

There are some tech hacks for cooling and heating: The report outlines over three dozen solutions for electrifying the global cooling and heating sector, including the use of low-temperature heat pumps, hybrid heat pumps, waste heat-to-power tech, and high-temperature electricity-based applications for industry. Irena also suggests the adoption of circular energy flows in cities, allowing the heat from solar panels, data centers, and other sources to be rerouted for use in space heating and warm water in buildings.

And using flexible agreements tied to demand: Irena also called for flexible power purchase agreements to enable companies or grid operators to secure their electricity demands without being restricted by fixed terms during times of low demand.

A toolbox for the HtA sector: The report includes 30 innovations to help decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors (HtA) by increasing the use of green hydrogen. The deployment of compressed hydrogen storage and liquefied hydrogen storage tech, as well as establishing hydrogen leakage detection mechanisms, is paramount. Applying carbon contracts for difference — which aim to reduce costs and risks of clean energy investments — are also needed to establish a standard for carbon pricing and bring down hydrogen costs for consumers. Establishing renewable energy power purchase agreements for green hydrogen production is also necessary as are cost-effective electricity tariffs for hydrogen developers and setting up a regulatory framework for green hydrogen networks, Irena notes.

Tags: