Renewable energy technologies in households: Challenges and low carbon energy transition justice

Abstract

uropean Union (EU) has set the target of achieving carbon neutral society by 2050. The main way to ensure low carbon energy transition is to accelerate the penetration of renewables in households. However, there are many economic, social, technical, and behavioural barriers to this. In addition, the technologies for renewable energy generation are not affordable for low income households which are experiencing energy poverty and energy affordability problems. The paper critically analyses the barriers and state policies and measures for the support of renewable energy micro generation technologies in households. Based on the conducted analysis, the paper discusses the best ways to combat energy poverty and transition to low carbon energy in the EU. The main findings of the paper indicate that developing well-targeted policy measures for support of renewable energy technologies and energy renovation would be more beneficial than paying energy bills of low-income vulnerable population. Such policies would also help to solve the problem of just low carbon energy transition, as currently the vulnerable population are facing greater economic, social, behavioural, infrastructure and other barriers to using renewable energy in their homes.