Economic and Technological Challenges in Zero-Emission Strategies for Energy Companies

The energy transition requires substantial financial investments and the adoption of innovative technological solutions. The aim of this paper is to analyze the economic and technological aspects of implementing zero-emission strategies as a key component of the transition toward a carbon-neutral ec...

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Main Author: Piotr F. Borowski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/4/898
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author Piotr F. Borowski
author_facet Piotr F. Borowski
author_sort Piotr F. Borowski
collection DOAJ
description The energy transition requires substantial financial investments and the adoption of innovative technological solutions. The aim of this paper is to analyze the economic and technological aspects of implementing zero-emission strategies as a key component of the transition toward a carbon-neutral economy. The study assesses the costs, benefits, and challenges of these strategies, with a particular focus on wind farms and nuclear power, including small modular reactors (SMRs). The paper presents an in-depth examination of key examples, including onshore and offshore wind farms, as well as nuclear energy from both large-scale and small modular reactors. It highlights their construction and operating costs, associated benefits, and challenges. The investment required to generate 1 MW of energy varies significantly depending on the technology: onshore wind farms range from $1,300,000 to $2,100,000, offshore wind farms from $3,000,000 to $5,500,000, traditional nuclear power plants from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000, while small modular reactors (SMRs) require between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000 per MW. The discussion underscores the critical role of wind farms in diversifying renewable energy sources while addressing the high capital requirements and technical complexities of nuclear power, including both traditional large-scale reactors and emerging SMRs. By evaluating these energy solutions, the article contributes to a broader understanding of the economic and technological challenges essential for advancing a sustainable energy future.
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spelling doaj-art-851dd53efffa4e36a200009d6ca3a2142025-08-20T03:12:02ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-02-0118489810.3390/en18040898Economic and Technological Challenges in Zero-Emission Strategies for Energy CompaniesPiotr F. Borowski0Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School, College of Economics and Management, 47a Nowogrodzka St., 00-695 Warsaw, PolandThe energy transition requires substantial financial investments and the adoption of innovative technological solutions. The aim of this paper is to analyze the economic and technological aspects of implementing zero-emission strategies as a key component of the transition toward a carbon-neutral economy. The study assesses the costs, benefits, and challenges of these strategies, with a particular focus on wind farms and nuclear power, including small modular reactors (SMRs). The paper presents an in-depth examination of key examples, including onshore and offshore wind farms, as well as nuclear energy from both large-scale and small modular reactors. It highlights their construction and operating costs, associated benefits, and challenges. The investment required to generate 1 MW of energy varies significantly depending on the technology: onshore wind farms range from $1,300,000 to $2,100,000, offshore wind farms from $3,000,000 to $5,500,000, traditional nuclear power plants from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000, while small modular reactors (SMRs) require between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000 per MW. The discussion underscores the critical role of wind farms in diversifying renewable energy sources while addressing the high capital requirements and technical complexities of nuclear power, including both traditional large-scale reactors and emerging SMRs. By evaluating these energy solutions, the article contributes to a broader understanding of the economic and technological challenges essential for advancing a sustainable energy future.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/4/898cost of renewablesrenewable energysmall modular reactorsnuclear energywind energynet-zero emission
spellingShingle Piotr F. Borowski
Economic and Technological Challenges in Zero-Emission Strategies for Energy Companies
Energies
cost of renewables
renewable energy
small modular reactors
nuclear energy
wind energy
net-zero emission
title Economic and Technological Challenges in Zero-Emission Strategies for Energy Companies
title_full Economic and Technological Challenges in Zero-Emission Strategies for Energy Companies
title_fullStr Economic and Technological Challenges in Zero-Emission Strategies for Energy Companies
title_full_unstemmed Economic and Technological Challenges in Zero-Emission Strategies for Energy Companies
title_short Economic and Technological Challenges in Zero-Emission Strategies for Energy Companies
title_sort economic and technological challenges in zero emission strategies for energy companies
topic cost of renewables
renewable energy
small modular reactors
nuclear energy
wind energy
net-zero emission
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/4/898
work_keys_str_mv AT piotrfborowski economicandtechnologicalchallengesinzeroemissionstrategiesforenergycompanies