Technical Concepts for the Transition of the Energy System into a Smart, Sustainable and Renewable Energy System in the TRACER Target Regions

This report shows a status on the current energy generation technologies using coal as feedstock for each TRACER target region. This includes the analysis of the coal driven power plants, CHP plants, as well as the use of coal for small applications, e.g. space heating. The investigations include the used technologies, age of the installations, efficiency, emissions, capacities and economies. Furthermore, the current status of other energy generation technologies in the target regions, based on gas, oil and renewable energies is analysed. This report will determine the level of the energy transition from a fossil-based economy towards an emission-free economy. Thereby, the technological challenges and opportunities will be identified, e.g. the technical integration of decentralised renewable energy technologies in the existing infrastructure (e.g. district heating, power grid). Another challenge may include the potential use of post-mining land for renewable energy installations, like PV or biomass production. Opportunities include all aspects related to the carbon-free and renewable technologies that could allow more participation of the public in the sector and having a large positive social impact. The final outcome of this report is a technical transition concept for each TRACER target region, that includes proposals for the stepwise technical energy transition towards an efficient emission-free energy sector, using renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, hydropower or biomass.