Díaz, P., Miao, B., Masó, J. (2013). Mapping the evolution of renewable resources and their relation with EROI and energy policies. In proceedings of the International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE35), Beijing, April 2013.

1. P Díaz13, B Miao1 and J Masó2P Díaz13, B Miao1 and J Masó2
1 Department of Asian and International Studies, City University of Hong
2CREAF, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
3 This research was supported by City University of Hong Kong research grant
(52739560).
35 International Symposium on Remote
Sensing of the Environment,
Beijing, 26 April 2013

2. Evolution of renewable production
General overview.
Evolution of renewables last 6 years
Focus on China
Renewable energy policies in ChinaRenewable energy policies in China
Weaknesses
Optimal locations for the establishment of
installations for renewables.
Energy Return on Investment
EROI.
Conclusions

3. The global share of renewable energy could increase from
the current 17% to between 30% and 75%, and even 90%
by 2050.
Hydropower, biofuels and renewables production
increased in 2011.
Disparities in new renewables energy production data:Disparities in new renewables energy production data:
BP (2012) says 2.1%
REN21 (2012) says 4.9%
Nevertheless, there is a general consensus on the rapid
grow they are experiencing worldwide.
New renewables power generation increased at an above
average rate (17.7%):
High increase in wind (25.8%),
High increase in solar power energy (86.3%).
ISRSE35, Beijing, 2013

4. Based on gross generation from renewable sources including wind, geothermal, solar, biomass and
waste, and not accounting for cross border electricity supply.
Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy. June, 2012

5. Based on gross generation from renewable sources including wind, geothermal, solar, biomass and
waste, and not accounting for cross border electricity supply.
Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy. June, 2012

6. 3.6
6.9
11.9
17.7
5
10
15
20Milliontonnesoilequivalent(Mtoe)
China'snew renewablesconsumption
China has multiplied by 12 the consumption of new renewables
(9.1% of the global total)
In 2010 accounted for 44% of the global market of wind source.
In 2011 it led the production of four renewable energy sources:
Biomass, solar thermal systems, wind and geothermal
1.4 1.8
3.6
-5
0
5
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Milliontonnesoilequivalent(Mtoe)
ISRSE35, Beijing, 2013

7. 90’s China’s energy consumption growth was four times greater
than predicted ( 3-4% Chinese government and IEA).
China did not meet its targets on non-fossil energy
consumption in the 11th Five-year Plan (2006-2010).
China set new targets in the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015):China set new targets in the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015):
11.4% of the total primary energy consumption.
Renewables installed capacity will increase to 30%
Great increase in renewable energy consumption in 2011 with respect to
2010: 48.4%.
Governance: It has produced 28 environmental laws since 1979.
Electricity Law (1995),
Energy Conservation Law (1997),
Air Pollution Prevention Law (2000).
ISRSE35, Beijing, 2013

8. In 2005 the Law of Renewable Energy was passed.
In 2009, a total of five sets of supporting laws were
enacted:
Guidance and Content for the Development of Renewable
Energy Industry,Energy Industry,
Temporary Method for Managing the Special Capital of
Renewable Energy Development,
Temporary Management for the Price and Cost Sharing in
Renewable Energy Power Generation,
Administrative Regulations on Renewable Energy Power
Generation,
Mid- and Long-Term Development Programming for
Renewable Energy.
ISRSE35, Beijing, 2013

9. Central governance strategies: Five-Year Plans.
The 6th Five-Year Plan (1985) is the first that specified a
reduction in energy consumption.
The 10th Five-Year Plan is the first plan directly dedicated
to new and renewable energy.to new and renewable energy.
It specifies an annual utilization of new and renewable
energy of 13 million tce (excluding small hydro and
biomass).
ISRSE35, Beijing, 2013

10. The 11th Five-Year Development Plan for New Energy and
Renewable Energy (2006-2010).
Annual utilization of renewable energy: 300 million tce,
The most ambitious energy consumption reductions: 20%
of energy per unit of GDP,of energy per unit of GDP,
The 12th Five-Year Plan calls for more savings on energy
efficiency and energy intensity reduction, but with no
specific target.
Reduction of 16% of energy per unit of GDP, due to the
difficulties on meeting the former target.
ISRSE35, Beijing, 2013

11. Too many bodies are involved in renewables management.
There is a lack of coordination and consistency amongst
regulations.
Unequal spatial distribution of renewable investment.
E.g. wind farms are concentrated in the north, producing 73.2%, butE.g. wind farms are concentrated in the north, producing 73.2%, but
between 38-57.2% is lost in transmission
Disparities between local and central government priorities.
Although China has ranked top in terms of investment on
renewable energy; a very small amount is spent on technical
research and development.
Investment in renewable energy accounted for only
0.045% of the total GDP, while EU member countries’
investment accounted for 2%.
ISRSE35, Beijing, 2013

12. The efficiency of renewables depends on the location and
the infrastructure.
Challenge: Is to define the areas where it is technically and
economically feasible to develop renewable energy
installations.installations.
The locations where it is easy to install renewable farms
become fewer over time.
The optimal distribution should consider:
The various kinds of technology (different efficiency) for
renewable sources,
The costs of the initial installation,
The costs of energy interconnection.
ISRSE35, Beijing, 2013

13. Natural constraints
Characteristics of the topography:
Lands with slopes>20% are excluded.
Natural variables (wind, sun, etc.).
Conflict with other activities such as agriculture or NaturalConflict with other activities such as agriculture or Natural
Parks.
Infrastructural constraints
Lack of infrastructure (roads for accessing of cranes).
Presence of buildings and the ownership of land
(private/public).
Lack of networks for transmission of the energy produced.
ISRSE35, Beijing, 2013

14. Energy return on investment (EROI) compares the energy
returned for a certain source and the energy used to get it
(explore, find, develop, produce, extract, transform, harvest,
grow, process, etc.).
It shows a general decrease of efficiency for fossil fuels andIt shows a general decrease of efficiency for fossil fuels and
gas.
Results on the real energy return for renewables are
sometimes contradictory.
Due to the falling number of appropriate sites, an spatialized
EROI is becoming increasingly important for renewables.
ISRSE35, Beijing, 2013

15. •EFF= non-renewable PES in the
ground (e.g.crude oil)
•EFeed= direct non-renewable
energy input for electricity
production (feedstock)
EROI=
EOUT/(EED+EPP)
There is a lack of agreement in literature. We propose to use Raugei’s
(2012) formula.
production (feedstock)
•EED= energy for the supply chain
(extraction and delivery) of the feed
stock, (renewable+non-renewable)
•EPP= energy for the construction
and end-of-life (EoL) of the power
plant, (renewable+non-renew-able)
•ER= direct renewable Primary
Energy input for electricity
production (usually excluded from
the EROI calculations)
•EOUT= net electricity (EC) output
REN=
EFEED &EED=
0

16. Variables proposed to be included in the calculation of
the EROI
Distances and transport
costs
Topography and connexions Environmental variables
Between production and Accessibility. Solar radiation.Between production and
consumption:
transportation of energy
from farms to cities.
Energy cost of
infrastructure maintenance
and development.
Accessibility.
Easiness of construction of
new farms (slope
ownership).
System of connection to
existing grids.
Solar radiation.
Wind speed.
Ocean speed.
Environmental impact.
Greenhouse emissions.

17. It can be presented as maps showing the most productive
zones and the optimal position in terms of:
Energy production and associated costs
It calculates the sites of maximum energy return at minimum
cost and the least impact of production.cost and the least impact of production.
Spatialized EROI analysis can include any indirect costs that
energy sources might produce:
Visual impacts, food market impacts and land price.
Spatialized EROI can be a useful tool for decision makers in
Chinas future of renewables
It would facilitate access to the data increase
knowledge and social acceptance of renewable installation
projects.
ISRSE35, Beijing, 2013

18. An overall review has been conducted and weaknesses have
been identified in:
Renewable energy development
Policy and regulations on renewables.
Investment in renewable energy is experiencing a strongInvestment in renewable energy is experiencing a strong
increase.
However, further efforts will be needed to provide more
efficiency in the policies and planning of renewables in China.
Determining the efficient areas that maximize the energy
returned on investment will be crucial in renewables.
The authors propose to introduce spatial variables into the
calculation of EROI to facilitate the efficient location of
renewable energy.
ISRSE35, Beijing, 2013

19. Thanks for your attentionThanks for your attention
Paula.diaz@uab.cat
ISRSE35, Beijing, 2013