Results, Reflection and Trends on the EU27 and Portuguese Policy in Renewable Energy

Abstract

Decentralized distributed power generation and energy production (simplified as Decentralized production) has been playing an increasingly important role in the consumption - production, energy relationship, as well as the promotion of renewable energies and even in changing consumption habits. To achieve the objective of sustainable development, microgeneration has an essential contribution to its achievement, and any support for this initiative is understood as a good investment for the future. The present paper reflects on the electricity generation market in Europe EU-27 and in Portugal, namely from where does import energy, what taxes and how dependent are. Under an economical perspective, the present paper proposes mechanisms to promote decentralized production effectively. Also, the present paper establishes the advantages of decentralized electricity generation over centralized generation, based on the EU-27 data and on comparisons. It is possible to conclude that the share of renewable energies in the mix is starting to really be high and is getting an important role, despite the availability of fossil fuels and the implemented energy system to supply the fossil fuels. It is recommended that traditional fossil fuels big power plants be phased out progressively ASAP. Carbon Capture and Sequestration is an alternative during this period, turning them to low-carbon plants. However, decentralized production is more effective in environmental and economic vectors. At a system level, security of supply and flexibility of renewable energies are more guaranteed in decentralized production.