The Economic Commission for Europe’s decision A(65) Outcome of the review of the 2005 reform of ECE, (65th session, Geneva, April 2013) called upon the Expert Group on Resource Classification to “develop ideas on how UNFC could apply to and integrate renewable energy by December 2013”.
Separately, an industry-led working group (Renewable Reserves Working Group) took the initiative in 2012 to develop a transparent and consistent estimation and classification methodology for renewable energy resources.
Through a process of a workshop and subsequent meetings, this working group determined:
- A general classification system for renewable energy does not currently exist worldwide.
- Describing renewable energy in resource terms was a useful and valid concept, and there was interest in developing this concept further from a range of industry and governmental stakeholders.
- From the range of resource classification frameworks UNFC-2009 was the best positioned for the inclusion of renewable energies.
- Initial fundamental principles informing the development of the necessary specifications/methodology.
The working group reported its findings to the fourth session of the Expert Group on Resource Classification, Geneva, April 2013. Following discussion the Expert Group concluded that UNFC-2009 can be applied to renewable energy resources. The Expert Group recommended that an ad hoc Task Force on Application of UNFC-2009 to Renewable Energy Resources be established together with a number of renewable technology-specific sub-Task Forces, in order to define suitable terms of reference, and subsequently develop the necessary specifications for the inclusion of renewable energies under the UNFC-2009 Resource Classification Framework.
The Task Force on Application of UNFC-2009 to Renewable Energy Resources was established in June 2013.
RENEWABLE RESERVES: TESTING THE CONCEPT FOR THE US AND BRAZIL
Workshop "Defining Renewable Energy Reserves"
Houston, 21 November 2013 (as part of Total Energy USA Conference 2013)
This event explored the role of UNFC
to assess long-term market-based economic viability of new renewable energy projects