Renewable electricity potentials in France: A long term perspective

Renewable energy sources play a role in providing energy services in a sustainable manner. In this paper, we review and estimate the renewable electricity potentials in France in a long term perspective, considering technical as well as social acceptability factors. Previous assessment studies are reviewed, and specific evaluations are conducted to estimate both the solar electricity potential on residential rooftops and the wind electricity potential in likely-developable areas. Potential effects on the grid power balance are examined for typical winter and summer days based on historical data sets. France has the resources to produce a large portion of its annual final electricity consumption with renewable energy. However, further analysis is needed to evaluate more in depth the influence of limiting factors such as the variability of certain resources, the distribution and transmission constraints, and the potential usage conflicts. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the Centre for Renewable Energy.