Abstract
Wind renewable energy (WRE) is an essential component of the global
sustainable energy portfolio. Recently, there has been increasing
discussion on the potential supplementation of this conventional
mitigation portfolio with Solar Radiation Modification (SRM). However,
the impact of SRM on conventional mitigation measures has received
limited attention to date. In this study, we explore one part of this
impact, the potential effect of one type of SRM, Stratospheric Aerosol
Injections (SAI), on WRE. Using hourly output from the Earth System
Model CNRM-ESM2-1, we compare WRE potential under a medium emission
scenario (SSP245) and a high emission scenario (SSP585) with an SRM
scenario that has SSP585 baseline conditions and uses SAI to offset
warming to approximately SSP245 global warming levels. Our results
suggest that SAI may affect surface wind resources by modifying
large-scale circulation patterns, such as a significant poleward
jet-shift in the Southern Hemisphere. The modeled total global WRE
potential is negligibly reduced under SAI compared to the SSP-scenarios.
However, regional trends are highly variable, with large increases and
decreases in WRE potential frequently reaching up to 16 % across the
globe with SAI. This study highlights potential downstream effects of
SRM on climatic elements, such as wind patterns, and offers perspectives
on its implications for our mitigation efforts.