Energy Modelling on the Alpine Bow

The Alpine bow has a great potential for renewable energy (RE) development. At the same time, wildlife in Alpine areas is at risk and has to be protected. More of 40% of the Alpine area is covered by protected areas. They vary in definition and level of protection regarding their category, region, and country. Therefore, some of those protected areas may be suited for the development of bioenergy whereas others may be more suited for the development of hydropower. Using a precise classification of those protected areas, and assuming the correct protection level the techno-economic model, spatial explicit, BeWhere, will identify the potential from hydropower, bioenergy, wind and solar power while balancing the ecosystems services in the Alps. The model is based on the minimization of the whole supply chain, starting from the collection of the feedstock to the delivery of the final product to the consumers in the Alps and in the major cities outside the Alps. Access to the site is a determinant issue to build a new power plant in the Alps, therefore the model uses a detailed road network for the transport of the feedstock and accessibility, as well as a map of the high voltage power line. The future RE production plants will be installed if the production cost is competitive enough against fossil fuel based power and heat. The model will then provide the optimal locations, numbers, technologies, and capacities for hydropower stations, bioenergy production plants, solar PV fields and wind parks, together with their corresponding costs and emissions. A series of scenarios will be carried out varying the fossil fuel price, the carbon cost and the level of protection of the environment. For each of the scenarios, the RE potential, production cost, and emission reductions will be assessed. The results will provide key indications to the stakeholders and the policymakers on the consequences of protecting the environment and the development of RE production