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Renewable Energy Equivalent Footprint ( REEF ): A Method for Envisioning a Sustainable Energy Future

Author

Listed:
  • James Ward

    (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM), University of South Australia, Adelaide 5001, Australia)

  • Steve Mohr

    (Research and Innovation Services, University of Newcastle, Newcastle 2308, Australia)

  • Robert Costanza

    (Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia)

  • Paul Sutton

    (Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
    Department of Geography and the Environment, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA)

  • Luca Coscieme

    (School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland)

Abstract

We present an alternative approach to estimating the spatial footprint of energy consumption, as this represents a major fraction of the ecological footprint ( EF ). Rather than depicting the current lack of sustainability that comes from estimating a footprint based on uptake of carbon emissions (the method used in EF accounting), our proposed “Renewable Energy Equivalent Footprint” ( REEF ) instead depicts a hypothetical world in which the electricity and fuel demands are met entirely from renewable energy. The analysis shows that current human energy demands could theoretically be met by renewable energy and remain within the biocapacity of one planet. However, with current technology there is no margin to leave any biocapacity for nature, leading to the investigation of two additional scenarios: (1) radical electrification of the energy supply, assuming 75% of final energy demand can be met with electricity, and (2) adopting technology in which electricity is used to convert atmospheric gases into synthetic fuel. The REEF demonstrates that a sustainable and desirable future powered by renewable energy: (i) may be possible, depending on the worldwide adoption of consumption patterns typical of several key exemplar countries; (ii) is highly dependent on major future technological development, namely electrification and synthetic fuels; and (iii) is still likely to require appropriation of a substantial, albeit hopefully sustainable, fraction of the world’s forest area.

Suggested Citation

  • James Ward & Steve Mohr & Robert Costanza & Paul Sutton & Luca Coscieme, 2020. "Renewable Energy Equivalent Footprint ( REEF ): A Method for Envisioning a Sustainable Energy Future," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:23:p:6160-:d:450063
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Charles A. S. Hall & Stephen Balogh & David J.R. Murphy, 2009. "What is the Minimum EROI that a Sustainable Society Must Have?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 2(1), pages 1-23, January.
    2. Moriarty, Patrick & Honnery, Damon, 2016. "Can renewable energy power the future?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 3-7.
    3. Hall, Charles A.S. & Lambert, Jessica G. & Balogh, Stephen B., 2014. "EROI of different fuels and the implications for society," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 141-152.
    4. Moran, Daniel D. & Wackernagel, Mathis & Kitzes, Justin A. & Goldfinger, Steven H. & Boutaud, Aurelien, 2008. "Measuring sustainable development -- Nation by nation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(3), pages 470-474, January.
    5. David J. Murphy & Charles A.S. Hall & Michael Dale & Cutler Cleveland, 2011. "Order from Chaos: A Preliminary Protocol for Determining the EROI of Fuels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(10), pages 1-20, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fioramonti, Lorenzo & Coscieme, Luca & Costanza, Robert & Kubiszewski, Ida & Trebeck, Katherine & Wallis, Stewart & Roberts, Debra & Mortensen, Lars F. & Pickett, Kate E. & Wilkinson, Richard & Ragnar, 2022. "Wellbeing economy: An effective paradigm to mainstream post-growth policies?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    2. He, Jianjian & Yang, Yi & Liao, Zhongju & Xu, Anqi & Fang, Kai, 2022. "Linking SDG 7 to assess the renewable energy footprint of nations by 2030," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).

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