Energy

Energy is often most associated with mitigation of climate change rather than adaptation, but the adaptations that may be required should not be overlooked by a community. There are a number of impacts of climate change that will require serious consideration.

Energy use

Summer temperatures will increase for all regions, further increasing the demand for space cooling needs, predominantly air conditioning in buildings and cars. Air conditioning is a high energy use and an increase in use will particularly affect electricity demand and vehicle fuel efficiency. It is estimated that peaks in electricity demand during summer heat waves are very likely to equal or exceed peaks in demand during cold winter periods. Consequently there may be a reduction in energy demand for heating requirements, though a wetter climate will probably require more building heating to keep structures dry.

Energy production

The current key renewable energy sources in Europe are hydropower (19.8% of electricity generated) and wind. By the 2070s, hydropower potential may increase by 15 to 30% in northern and eastern due to increased precipitation. However the increase in the variability of the climate means that the period for when this rain is expected is not so certain. This can cause issues over when to let out or hold back water in a damn system.

It is estimated that there will be a small increase in the annual wind energy resource over Atlantic and northern Europe, with more substantial increases during the winter season by 2071 to 2100.

Bio fuel production (including trees) is largely determined by the supply of moisture, level of carbon dioxide and the length of the growing season. The suitability for growing bio fuel crops and biomass crops in northern Europe will improve with climate change, and can significantly contribute to the region’s energy demands. By the 22nd century, land area devoted to bio fuels may increase by a factor of two to three in all parts of Europe.

Energy distribution

The distribution of energy is also vulnerable to climate change. There is a small increase in line resistance with increasing mean temperatures coupled with negative effects on line sag and gas pipeline compressor efficiency due to higher maximum temperatures. But perhaps of more concern is the vulnerability to the global distribution network for energy. Oil, vehicle fuels and gas are often transported large distances by pipe line or ship and are going to be more vulnerable to extreme weather events and global conflicts (perhaps as a results of population migration due to seas level rise or regional food and water shortages).

Adaptation potential

A wide variety of adaptation measures are available in the energy sector ranging from the redesign of the energy supply system to the modification of human behaviour.

The sensitivity of European energy systems to climate change could be reduced by enhancing the interconnection capacity of electricity grids and by using more decentralised electric generation systems and local micro grids.

Another type of adaptation would be to reduce the exposure of energy users and producers to the impacts of unfavourable climate through the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, for example by reducing overall energy use.

Clim-ATIC will be looking at the impacts of climate change on energy production and use in two rural communities.

The Cairngorms National Park area will be supporting local wood fuel growers to coordinate with wood chip and pellet suppliers and distributors, wood fuel boiler manufactures and suppliers, and customers to ensure that a local sustainable coordinated approach to utilising its abundant wood fuel resource in the region is put in place.

The fishing community of Uummannak in Greenland will be looking at the potential for using its current significant fish and human waste (that will become more of an issue a temperatures rise) to create biogas at a local level for local use.

References

IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) Working Group II Report "Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability"