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Decarbonizing Russia: Leapfrogging from Fossil Fuel to Hydrogen

Author

Listed:
  • Vladimir Potashnikov

    (Russian Presidential Academy, National Economy and Public Administration, 119571 Moscow, Russia)

  • Alexander Golub

    (Russian Presidential Academy, National Economy and Public Administration, 119571 Moscow, Russia)

  • Michael Brody

    (Russian Presidential Academy, National Economy and Public Administration, 119571 Moscow, Russia)

  • Oleg Lugovoy

    (Russian Presidential Academy, National Economy and Public Administration, 119571 Moscow, Russia)

Abstract

We examine a different approach to complete the decarbonization of the Russian economy in a world where climate policy increasingly requires the radical reduction of emissions wherever possible. We propose an energy system that can supply solar and wind-generated electricity to fulfill demand and which accounts for intermittency problems. This is instead of the common approach of planning for expensive carbon capture and storage, and a massive increase in energy efficiency and, therefore, a drastic reduction in energy use per unit of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Coupled with this massive increase in alternative energy, we also propose using excess electricity to generate green hydrogen. Hydrogen technology can function as storage for future electricity needs or for potential fuel use. Importantly, green hydrogen can potentially be used as a replacement export for Russia’s current fossil fuel exports. The analysis was carried out using the highly detailed modeling framework, the High-Resolution Renewable Energy System for Russia (HIRES-RUS) representative energy system. The modeling showed that there are a number of feasible combinations of wind and solar power generation coupled with green hydrogen production to achieve 100% decarbonization of the Russian economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Vladimir Potashnikov & Alexander Golub & Michael Brody & Oleg Lugovoy, 2022. "Decarbonizing Russia: Leapfrogging from Fossil Fuel to Hydrogen," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-27, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:3:p:683-:d:727334
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dmitrii Bogdanov & Javier Farfan & Kristina Sadovskaia & Arman Aghahosseini & Michael Child & Ashish Gulagi & Ayobami Solomon Oyewo & Larissa Souza Noel Simas Barbosa & Christian Breyer, 2019. "Radical transformation pathway towards sustainable electricity via evolutionary steps," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Hansen, Kenneth & Breyer, Christian & Lund, Henrik, 2019. "Status and perspectives on 100% renewable energy systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 471-480.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bojana Škrbić & Željko Đurišić, 2023. "Novel Planning Methodology for Spatially Optimized RES Development Which Minimizes Flexibility Requirements for Their Integration into the Power System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-34, April.
    2. Mikhail Andreyev & Alyona Nelyubina, 2024. "Energy transition scenarios in Russia: effects in macroeconomic general equilibrium model with rational expectations," Bank of Russia Working Paper Series wps122, Bank of Russia.
    3. Svetlana Revinova & Inna Lazanyuk & Svetlana Ratner & Konstantin Gomonov, 2023. "Forecasting Development of Green Hydrogen Production Technologies Using Component-Based Learning Curves," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Sergey Zhironkin & Fares Abu-Abed & Elena Dotsenko, 2023. "The Development of Renewable Energy in Mineral Resource Clusters—The Case of the Siberian Federal District," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-28, April.
    5. Andrey Berezin & Natalia Gorodnova & Bruno S. Sergi & Chanel Tri Handoko & Chrisna T. Permana, 2023. "Prospects for Energy Transition to Hydrogen Fuel: Analysis of World Experience and Russian Practice," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 13(4), pages 641-653, July.

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