Renewable energy technologies for Mexico: Assessing carbon emissions reductions

Abstract

The substitution of renewable energy technologies (RETs) for fossil fuel energy technologies can reduce carbon emissions because RETs result in zero or nearly zero carbon emissions. Developing countries, because of their high projected energy growth rates, are expected to be major contributors to future worldwide carbon emissions. A methodology has been developed to identify promising RETs with the potential to satisfy the energy demands in Mexico. The technologies would also contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions. Technologies are evaluated and ranked in terms of the following six criterion: weighted cost value, resource availability, social acceptance, state of development, environmental impact, and infrastructure. Two categories of technologies are considered, transportation and on-grid electricity producing technologies. The results of the analysis indicate that geothermal, biomass cogeneration, wind, and micro-hydro technologies could supply energy to Mexico and, at the same time, significantly contribute to lowering Mexico's future carbon emissions from on-grid electricity generation. Although not considered a RET, the substitution of compressed natural gas for conventional gasoline could also reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector. The methodology presented here could be applied to other developing countries to identify promising RETs that lower carbon emissions or, alternatively, that address other environmental problems.