Impact of the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism and variable renewable energy integration on fossil-based energy systems

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) aims to mitigate carbon leakage and foster global decarbonisation by introducing carbon pricing on imported carbon-intensive goods entering the EU. This paper evaluates CBAM’s impact on the interconnected electricity market of Croatia and Bosnia and Herz...

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Main Authors: Boris Ćosić, Neven Duić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Energy Conversion and Management: X
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590174525001400
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author Boris Ćosić
Neven Duić
author_facet Boris Ćosić
Neven Duić
author_sort Boris Ćosić
collection DOAJ
description The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) aims to mitigate carbon leakage and foster global decarbonisation by introducing carbon pricing on imported carbon-intensive goods entering the EU. This paper evaluates CBAM’s impact on the interconnected electricity market of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, analysing how variable renewable energy sources (VRES) deployment and CBAM compliance reshape energy trade, emissions, and system flexibility. Using the Dispa-SET model, a unit commitment and power dispatch tool for multi-zonal systems with high renewables integration, the study examines electricity flows, fossil fuel dependency, and decarbonisation trajectories across three scenarios: NECP, representing planned technologies; LRES, reflecting low renewables integration; and HRES, with high renewable deployment. The results show that accelerated VRES deployment reduces fossil fuel dependency, with CO2 intensity in Bosnia and Herzegovina dropping to 0.85 gCO2/kWh by 2035 under the HRES scenario. Electricity exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Croatia decline from 3.41 TWh in 2025 to 1.39 TWh by 2035 under the NECP scenario but stabilise at 2.35 TWh in the HRES scenario. Curtailment in Bosnia and Herzegovina rises to 2.73 TWh/year by 2035, or 24.2 % of VRES generation, highlighting the challenges of managing high renewable penetration. The interplay between declining coal power operations, reduced emissions, and shifting electricity exports underscores the complexities of aligning regional energy systems with EU decarbonisation goals while ensuring energy security.
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spelling doaj-art-0482c5b61f9640d49302dbc8ebab3f482025-08-20T01:51:00ZengElsevierEnergy Conversion and Management: X2590-17452025-04-012610100810.1016/j.ecmx.2025.101008Impact of the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism and variable renewable energy integration on fossil-based energy systemsBoris Ćosić0Neven Duić1International Centre for Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems - SDEWES, Ivana Lučića 5, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaUniversity of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Ivana Lučića 5, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia; School of Industrial Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile; Corresponding author at: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Ivana Lučića 5, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) aims to mitigate carbon leakage and foster global decarbonisation by introducing carbon pricing on imported carbon-intensive goods entering the EU. This paper evaluates CBAM’s impact on the interconnected electricity market of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, analysing how variable renewable energy sources (VRES) deployment and CBAM compliance reshape energy trade, emissions, and system flexibility. Using the Dispa-SET model, a unit commitment and power dispatch tool for multi-zonal systems with high renewables integration, the study examines electricity flows, fossil fuel dependency, and decarbonisation trajectories across three scenarios: NECP, representing planned technologies; LRES, reflecting low renewables integration; and HRES, with high renewable deployment. The results show that accelerated VRES deployment reduces fossil fuel dependency, with CO2 intensity in Bosnia and Herzegovina dropping to 0.85 gCO2/kWh by 2035 under the HRES scenario. Electricity exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Croatia decline from 3.41 TWh in 2025 to 1.39 TWh by 2035 under the NECP scenario but stabilise at 2.35 TWh in the HRES scenario. Curtailment in Bosnia and Herzegovina rises to 2.73 TWh/year by 2035, or 24.2 % of VRES generation, highlighting the challenges of managing high renewable penetration. The interplay between declining coal power operations, reduced emissions, and shifting electricity exports underscores the complexities of aligning regional energy systems with EU decarbonisation goals while ensuring energy security.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590174525001400Dispa-SETCarbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)Electricity MarketCO2 emission factorsNational Energy and Climate Plan (NECP)Curtailment
spellingShingle Boris Ćosić
Neven Duić
Impact of the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism and variable renewable energy integration on fossil-based energy systems
Energy Conversion and Management: X
Dispa-SET
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
Electricity Market
CO2 emission factors
National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP)
Curtailment
title Impact of the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism and variable renewable energy integration on fossil-based energy systems
title_full Impact of the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism and variable renewable energy integration on fossil-based energy systems
title_fullStr Impact of the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism and variable renewable energy integration on fossil-based energy systems
title_full_unstemmed Impact of the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism and variable renewable energy integration on fossil-based energy systems
title_short Impact of the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism and variable renewable energy integration on fossil-based energy systems
title_sort impact of the eu carbon border adjustment mechanism and variable renewable energy integration on fossil based energy systems
topic Dispa-SET
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
Electricity Market
CO2 emission factors
National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP)
Curtailment
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590174525001400
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