• Login
    View Item 
    •   Home
    • Massey Documents by Type
    • Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   Home
    • Massey Documents by Type
    • Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Climate change : a global issue : is a renewable energy target an effective response for the New Zealand electricity sector? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science at Massey University

    Icon
    View/Open Full Text
    01_front.pdf (467.6Kb)
    02_whole.pdf (18.57Mb)
    Export to EndNote
    Abstract
    The main objective of this thesis is to investigate the effectiveness of a mandatory renewable energy target (MRET) in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the electricity sector. New Zealand's electricity sector emissions have grown at a rapid rate over the last decade ( + 19%) due to an increasing reliance on thermal generation plant. Since the mid 1980's there has been increasing scientific evidence and acceptance that GHG emissions caused by human activity are reducing the amount of solar heat that would otherwise be radiated back out into space leading to climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has found new and stronger evidence that most of the observed warming of the past 50 years is attributable to human activities. The IPCC findings show potential for significant changes in temperature ( 1.4-5.8°C by 2100), rainfall patterns and sea level (9-88cm by 2100) and adverse weather events. This will impact on the global economy, the natural environment and the quality of life for present and future generations. The Kyoto Protocol is the international vehicle for fighting anthropogenic climate change by reducing GHG emissions. Despite the US withdrawal from the Protocol in 200 l, it could still enter into force and countries that ratify it could have legally binding GHG emission responsibilities by late 2002. Domestic policy and legislation presently under development will guide New Zealand's efforts to reduce GHGs and meet its future Kyoto Protocol commitments. To assess the impact of a possible MRET, a tool was developed which evaluates the effect of five different MRET scenarios on the electricity sector's GHG emissions, the wholesale price of electricity and the level of renewable energy supply. It was found that an MRET is an effective method of reducing GHGs and increasing the level of renewable energy supply, however this effectiveness depends on the level of the target. The higher the target the higher the electricity price, which will also increase if inappropriate investment decisions lead to plant redundancy or oversupply of the market. Implementing energy efficiency measures with an MRET further reduces GHG emissions. If existing renewable generation was prioritised over thermal generation then environmental outcomes are further improved.
    Date
    2001
    Author
    Dyson, Tracy Jennifer
    Rights
    The Author
    Publisher
    Massey University
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10179/5923
    Collections
    • Theses and Dissertations
    Metadata
    Show full item record

    Copyright © Massey University
    Contact Us | Send Feedback | Copyright Take Down Request | Massey University Privacy Statement
    DSpace software copyright © Duraspace
    v5.7-2020.1
     

     

    Tweets by @Massey_Research
    Information PagesContent PolicyDepositing content to MROCopyright and Access InformationDeposit LicenseDeposit License SummaryTheses FAQFile FormatsDoctoral Thesis Deposit

    Browse

    All of MROCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Copyright © Massey University
    Contact Us | Send Feedback | Copyright Take Down Request | Massey University Privacy Statement
    DSpace software copyright © Duraspace
    v5.7-2020.1