Pathways to net zero for power and industry in the United Kingdom

Climate change mitigation is amongst the key challenges of the Anthropocene. The United Kingdom has declared its interest in leading the way to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The debate around technologically feasible, economically viable, and socially optimal pathways to a carbon neutral energy system and economy is ongoing. This thesis aims to contribute to questions concerning the decarbonisation of power and industry in the UK. To this end, the technological viewpoint, the system viewpoint, and public viewpoint are assumed. First, electrification of heat and transport is quantified, and the role and value of power-to-gas storage as novel technology is analysed. Second, the industrial sector is modelled, and pathways for the combined decarbonisation of power and industry are investigated. Third, trajectories to net zero are connected to economic growth and employment, bridging the gap between technology-focused energy systems modelling and the macroeconomic layer. It is found that seasonal effects are significant in the energy system under electrification and increasing deployment levels of intermittent renewable energy. Inter-seasonal storage and/or low-carbon dispatchable power generation are required to ensure a reliable supply of electricity. Cost-optimal abatement technologies in industry are identified. The emissions balance between the power and industrial sectors is evaluated, with power reaching carbon negativity in the 2040s, and offsetting residual emissions in industry in 2050. Carbon capture and sequestration emerges as key technology in trajectories to net zero. The effects of policy instruments, including a carbon price and negative emissions credit, are quantified, and the importance of a compromise between private and public sector is highlighted. Further, a net zero target is estimated to increase value added and employment. Importing industrial goods and offshoring emissions vs. expanding domestic production and exporting low-carbon products, as well as locally sourcing vs. importing technology components and raw materials are shown to greatly impact value and job creation.Open Acces