S. Mirasgedis

The role of renewable energy sources within the framework of the Kyoto Protocol: the case of Greece

The exploitation of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) forms an integral part of the effort to reduce the negative impacts from the use of fossil fuels and to confront the risks associated with climate change. The Kyoto Protocol (KP) sets legally binding commitments for developed countries with respect to their greenhouse gases emissions and, in that, represents the first step of a systematic effort for stabilization of greenhouse gases concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Taking into account that CO2, originating almost exclusively from energy processes, is the most important greenhouse gas, the further development of RES forms an essential measure for the reduction of emissions. This paper examines whether the current development and planned actions in the field of the RES, even when straightforwardly associated with very ambitious targets for the present decade (e.g., the draft European Directive on the promotion of electricity from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity market), are sufficient in order to achieve the commitments according to the KP or more effort is needed in the direction of RES exploitation, combined with complementary actions such as energy conservation.

Mitigation policies for energy related greenhouse gas emissions in Cyprus: the potential role of natural gas imports

This paper investigates the possibility of introducing mitigation policies for greenhouse gas emissions in isolated areas with limited availability of alternative energy sources. The Cypriot energy system has been considered as a reference case study and it is concluded that even for an isolated economy with very high rates of growth, enough options are available to reduce significantly greenhouse gas emissions and effectively contribute to sustainable environment. The conclusions of the study are based on analysis done with ENPEP, a hybrid model that employs a market-based simulation approach to project future energy supply/demand balances and the associated air emissions, as well as to evaluate alternative energy technologies. The study also shows that one of the best long-term strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Cyprus is the introduction of natural gas via a submerged gas pipeline to Syria.