Introduction and Structure - Renewable Energy: Technology, Economics and Environment - page 14

indicated. Otherwise, the heat production costs at the conversion plant are calcu-
lated and discussed.

Environmental analysis. Within energy politics and energy industry, discussions
on environmental effects caused by the use of a certain energy source or energy
carrier are of major importance. This is why for every option of using renewable
energy sources for the provision of useful energy; also selected environmental ef-
fects will be addressed. This assessment will be performed for environmental ef-
fects related to manufacturing, ordinary operation, malfunctions and the end of
operation.

1.4 Conventional energy provision systems

The addressed renewable sources of energy and the corresponding technologies
can be applied for the provision of heat and/or power, by substituting conversion
technologies based of fossil fuel energy. It is thus sensible to compare the as-
sessed options of using renewable sources of energy with the corresponding fossil
fuel-based options which they are to substitute.
For this purpose, standard conventional energy provision technologies based on
fossil fuel energy, used for comparison, are defined and discussed in the follow-
ing. In addition, cost figures are provided allowing for a comparison with the cost
parameters assessed for the option of using renewable energy sources.

1.4.1 Boundary conditions

Energy prices are an important parameter to describe the availability of fossil en-
ergy carriers. The average expenditures direct to the consumer, including con-
sumption taxes (e.g. mineral oil tax), but excluding value added tax, are indicated
in Table 1.3. In the year 2006, for hard coal or natural gas used in power plants,
the plant operators had to pay approximately 2.2 and 6.0 €/GJ respectively. Com-
pared to this, the price level for final consumers is comparatively higher. Even
though the prices varied in a wide range between 2004 and 2006, constant prices
are assumed for the lifetime of the plants.

Table 1.3 Energy prices for fossil energy carriers (for households including value added
tax (VAT); average prices have been determined over recent years)
Light heating oil, household customers
Natural gas, household customers
Natural gas, power plants
Hard coal, power plants

12 - 18 €/GJ
15 - 19 €/GJ
5 - 7 €/GJ
1.7 - 2.7 €/GJ