Green Economy in a Blue World-Full Report

global installed capacity of selected marine based renewable energy sources from 2012 to 2020. Tidal current has the highest forecast increase followed by wave, based on plans and targets among all the energy technologies considered. (See section 1 for a more detailed analysis per energy type.) 2.2.2 Economic costs and challenges The overall fossil-fuel based electricity price comprises fuel cost, operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, capital cost, including planning and site work and cost of CO 2 emissions (where

taken as a proxy to determine the economic case for the marine-energy technologies discussed here. To be cost-effective for energy generation and to compete against fossil-fuel based energy, marine- based renewable energy has to be cost-effective against fossil fuels. When fossil-fuel prices rise, renewable energy becomes more cost-effective, and vice versa. This trend can be seen in historical investments in renewable energy, which have coincided with high fossil-fuel prices (IPCC, 2011). 2.2.1 Economic opportunities The figure on page 63 provides a forecast for

DPSIR 1 – Fossil-fuel energy sector as driver, MBRE as response

in a Blue World

Driving Forces

Pressures

State

Impact

Response

Renewable energy policy targets, policy framework

Climate change Habitat loss Water scarcity through overuse and pollution Air pollution Energy insecurity and Rising fuel prices

Reliance on fossil fuels Increasing energy consumption

Increasing greenhouse gas emissions Increasing land use change

Globalization Increasing population Increasing energy demand, especially in developing countries Economic growth

establishments Investments in renewable energy sources (see sections 3.1 and 3.3 below)

Air quality Hydrology

DPSIR 2 – MBRE as driver, MBRE as response in proactive seascape planning

Driving Forces

Pressures

State

Impact

Response

Proactive seascape planning (avoid ecologically- sensitive areas) Best practice design, construction, operation and decommissioning Stakeholder engagement (see sections 3.2, 3.4 and 3.5)

Changed seabed Changed

Habitat loss/gain Disturbance of hunting/breeding grounds No fishing zones Conflict between marine users including tourism, fisheries, shipping, etc. (see section 2.3.3)

Increased demand for renewable energy, including marine-based renewable energy (see section 2.3.2)

Construction of infrastructure Noise pollution Electromagnetic waves (see section 2.3.4)

hydrographic and sediment­ ological patterns (see section 2.3.5)

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