Emission reduction targets and electrification of the Finnish energy system with low-carbon Power-to-X technologies: Potentials, barriers, and innovations – A Delphi survey

Abstract

Energy systems are rapidly changing, and many promising low-carbon solutions are now available for different industries. For a society to efficiently implement these promising technologies, experts and policymakers from different fields must comprehensively understand the possibilities and barriers of these technologies. This paper investigates how experts in different fields perceive the transition by conducting two broad Delphi surveys regarding energy transition and greenhouse gas emission targets in the context of Finnish society. The focus of the research is Power-to-X technologies, the required actions and barriers for achieving emissions targets, and societal electrification. The results reveal that while it is possible to achieve the ambitious emissions targets, a variety of political and technological changes are required. It is also established that Finnish society will increase low-carbon electricity consumption in the near future. For instance, Power-to-Gas and Power-to-Fuel technologies are viewed possible technologies for achieving the targets.