Feed-in Tariffs: Accelerating the Deployment of Renewable Energy

by Miguel Mendonça

Overview

A feed-in tariff is a renewable energy law that obliges energy suppliers to buy electricity produced from renewable resources at a fixed price, usually over a fixed period - even from householders. These legal guarantees ensure investment security, and the support of all viable renewable energy technologies. Supporters argue that the feed-in model, if implemented effectively around the world, would greatly assist the energy revolution that is so desperately required; through CO2 reduction, market creation and development, job creation and improved energy security. Feed-in Tariffs is a concise introduction to feed-in laws, examining the experience of countries that have implemented this model. The author argues that the policy should be implemented anywhere with a suitable national power grid infrastructure, and identifies variations on the policy for those areas without. Alternative models and support schemes are examined to provide policy makers with the information required to consider the implementation of feed-in tariffs, and to introduce the concept to renewable energy technology manufacturers, producers, investors and supporters. With a foreword by Hermann Scheer. Published with the World Future Council.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781844077885
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/02/2009
Edition description:	1
Pages:	172
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Miguel Mendonca is a writer and researcher for the World Future Council, working principally in the area of sustainability policies, and a freelance writer on sustainability issues. He is a visiting fellow at Bristol University, a research associate of the Schumacher Institute for Sustainable Systems and a consultant to Artists Project Earth.

Table of Contents

Foreword * Executive Summary * Introduction * Part I: Renewable Energy: Barriers and Support Schemes * Barriers to Renewable Energy * Renewable Energy Support Schemes * Energy Efficiency: The Essential Partner of Renewables * Part II: Policies Around the World * Germany's Success * Spain's Success * Policies in the US * Policies in Japan * The Developing World (by Dan Bristow) * Part III: Implemention and the Future * Feed-in Tariff Design Options * General Lessons for Effective Implementation * Organizations Aiding Renewable Energy Deployment * The Future: Policy, Technology, Employment and Investment * Bibliography * Index

Editorial Reviews

"Feed-in laws are a vital tool in our armoury in the fight to stabilize our climate, and this comprehensive introduction shows why." Tim Flannery, mammologist, paleontologist, environmental activist and author of The Future Eaters and The Weather Makers

"This book, particularly the chapter on Germany, helps us understand how feed-in tariffs can quickly shift the world's electricity generation to renewable sources of energy. We are all indebted to Miguel Mendonca for this timely contribution." Lester R. Brown, President, Earth Policy Institute

"This book invites policy makers all over the world to adopt feed-in legislation for their countries or their regions. It will prove to be a very powerful tool when arguing for the right legislative steps towards an environmentally friendly and socially just energy system." Hermann Scheer, member of the German Bundestag (Parliament), President of EUROSOLAR, and winner of the World Solar Prize and the Alternative Nobel Prize

"No other policy mechanism has produced more renewable energy more quickly than feed-in tariffs. Mendonca explains why this policy works so well and how others can use it to power a global renewable energy revolution." Paul Gipe, author, advocate and analyst of renewable energy

"Humankind is in a race against time to replace our energy systems based on fossil fuels with ones based on renewables. This crucial book shows us how to achieve this. It demonstrates so clearly why a renewables policy based on feed-in tariffs is economically most efficient and effective. This is a 'must read' for policy makers." Stewart Wallis, Executive Director, New Economics Foundation

"A mine of information.... Its strength is an almost encyclopaedic coverage of rules and regulations and their history' International Journal of Ambient Energy 'This book can...serve as a good basis for research on policies regarding renewable energies.' European Circular, Newsletter for ICLEI members, partners and friends, 2009. 'A contribution to the debate about feed-in tariffs." Dr. Brenda Boardman, Institute of Physics.

"This timely volume shows clearly that feed-in tariffs (FITs) have been by far the most successful amongst the various methods attempted to encourage the development of renewable energy (RE) sources for electricity production. […] This book should send a wake-up call to those who after years of denial about the reality of climate change are now admitting that as fact, but still under the spell of the fossil lobby, can only see carbon trading schemes with no – or ‘aspirational’ – targets. Let’s hope their advisers at least will read this book and start to take action." John Sandeman, International Journal of Environmental Studies

From the Publisher