Report: Electrical Grid Problems Risk World Climate Goals

2023-11-02 15:48:03来源：网络

Report: Electrical Grid Problems Risk World Climate Goals

报道:电网问题危及世界气候目标

　　By Bryan Lynn

　　01 November 2023

　　The International Energy Agency (IEA) says many world electrical grids will need major improvements to support international climate change goals.

　　In a new report, the IEA calls on nations to invest in aging electrical grid systems. The Paris-based organization works with member governments to help them shape energy policies.

　　The IEA examined electricity grids in countries across the world to produce its report. The report found that, for the most part, electrical grid systems have not kept up with clean energy technologies like solar, wind, electric cars and heat pumps.

　　One of the main findings is that to meet all national climate and energy goals, about 80 million kilometers of power lines will have to be added or replaced by 2040. The report noted that this amount is equal to the whole existing worldwide electricity grid.

　　The 2015 Paris climate agreement has set a goal to limit warming worldwide to 1.5 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times. Climate scientists believe the way to meet that goal is to reduce the use of greenhouse gases. They say this kind of pollution – linked largely to human activities – warms the planet.

　　IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol spoke to reporters from The Associated Press about the report. He said there are many renewable energy projects waiting to connect to electricity systems. But currently, most grids are not equipped to work with the greener technology.

　　Birol said many of the renewable projects are ready or nearly ready to go. If grid changes could be completed, the projects could produce about 1,500 gigawatts of power. This is about five times the amount of solar and wind capacity added worldwide last year, Birol said.

　　If investments in grid systems do not increase, the report predicts the chance of reaching the Paris agreement's goal drops sharply. The IEA said such investments need to double to more than $600 billion a year by 2030.

　　But there are difficulties getting new grid improvements approved. The IEA notes that it is not uncommon for a single high-power overhead power line to take five to 13 years to get government approvals in developed economies. Approvals in nations such as China and India, can be much shorter, the organization said.

　　One project examined in the report aims to carry wind power from northern to southern Germany. First planned in 2014, it was delayed after political opposition to an overhead line meant it was buried instead. Completion of the project is now expected in 2028 instead of 2022.

　　Other important projects are delayed, including the 400-kilometer Bay of Biscay connector between Spain and France. Officials expect to finish the work in 2028 instead of 2025. And a line to bring wind power from New Mexico to Arizona and California just started last month after years of delays.

　　I'm Bryan Lynn.

　　The Associated Press and IEA reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.

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　　布莱恩·林恩

　　2023年11月1日

　　国际能源机构(IEA)称许多世界电力公司网格将需要重大改进以支持国际气候变化目标。

　　在一份新的报告中，国际能源署呼吁各国投资老化的电网系统。这个总部设在巴黎的组织与成员国政府合作，帮助他们制定能源政策。

　　国际能源署检查了世界各国的电网，以得出这份报告。该报告发现，在很大程度上，电网系统没有跟上太阳能、风能、电动汽车和热泵等清洁能源技术的发展。

　　一个主要的发现是，为了满足所有国家的气候和能源目标，到2040年，大约需要增加或更换8000万公里的输电线。该报告指出，这一数量相当于整个现有的全球电网。

　　2015年巴黎气候协议设定了自前工业时代以来将全球变暖限制在1.5摄氏度的目标。气候科学家认为，实现这一目标的方法是减少使用温室气体。他们说这种污染——主要与人类活动有关——使地球变暖。

　　国际能源署执行主任法提赫·比罗尔对美联社记者谈到了这份报告。他说有很多可再生的等待接入电力系统的能源项目。但是目前，大多数电网都没有配备绿色技术。

　　比罗尔说，许多可再生能源项目已经准备好或接近准备就绪。如果电网改造能够完成，这些项目可以产生大约1500千兆瓦的电力。Birol说，这大约是去年全球太阳能和风能发电量的五倍。