Assessing the effects of energy efficiency and different tariff policies on energy mix for decarbonization

Abstract

The objective of this work is to evaluate the effects of different energy policies designed to favor decarbonization by increasing renewable sources. In particular, the implementation of energy efficiency policies and the application of hourly differential electricity tariffs. The Open-Source Energy Modelling System (OSeMOSYS) has been adopted to visualize the effects of each of the actions in the short, medium, and long term, from 2024 till 2046. From our results, the application of hourly differentiation tariffs does not favor either the increase in the implementation of renewable sources or decarbonization processes. The implementation of energy efficiency policies (1-1.25% annual demand decrease), in the long term, allows to reach 80% of energy production from renewable sources. In all the scenarios, the energy sources with a greater level of intermittency, such as wind or solar, strongly increased their contribution in the medium-term, thereby stabilizing their long-term contribution. Finally, the implementation of photovoltaic solar energy becomes necessary only in the long-term. It seems clear that this contribution, up to 20% of the renewable, is associated with the nuclear blackout.