Research

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20 pages, 1603 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Machine Learning-Based Energy Consumption Estimation of Wastewater Treatment Plants in Greece

by Panagiotis Karadimos and Leonidas Anthopoulos

Energies 2023, 16(21), 7408; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16217408 - 02 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1221

Amidst a global discourse on energy resources, it is imperative to provide decision makers with a comprehensive overview of energy consumption (EC) associated with various projects, particularly wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Ensuring compliance with stringent effluent quality criteria in the treatment of municipal [...] Read more.

Amidst a global discourse on energy resources, it is imperative to provide decision makers with a comprehensive overview of energy consumption (EC) associated with various projects, particularly wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Ensuring compliance with stringent effluent quality criteria in the treatment of municipal wastewater necessitates a substantial EC, representing a predominant factor contributing to the operational expenses incurred by WWTP. Machine learning (ML) techniques can contribute to the estimation of the WWTPs’ EC, which requires efficient and accurate data. This article uses data from several municipal WWTP projects in Greece, which are examined in order to produce EC estimation models. Data were first statistically analyzed, according to the context of project attributes and the context of EC, and correlation analysis identified the appropriate predictive project variables. Then, the attribute selection function in Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis 3.8.4 (WEKA 3.8.4) software emphasized the most effective subset of variables. The extracted variables from the combination of the correlation analysis and the WEKA attribute function were used as input neurons for the construction of neural network (NN) models, in the Fast Artificial Neural Network Tool 1.2 (FANN Tool 1.2). The optimum NN model resulted in a mean squared error (MSE) of 8.99899 × 10⁻⁵ and was based on treatment capacity, flow rate, influent load, and served population as its inputs. Notably, the research highlights the potential generalizability of these models in Greece and beyond the Greek context, offering valuable tools for stakeholders to inform decision making, allocate resources efficiently, and improve energy-efficient designs, resulting in cost savings and sustainability benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods in Sustainable Energy Development)

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15 pages, 1668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of the Influencing Factors on Consumers’ Purchase Willingness towards New-Energy Vehicles in China: A Questionnaire Analysis Using Matrix Model

by Wen Wang, Zhicheng Xie, Mingfeng Feng, Yu Qi and Yi Dou

Energies 2023, 16(15), 5623; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16155623 - 26 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1146

Abstract

New-energy vehicles (NEV), particularly electric vehicles, are globally popular with political and financial support from governments, which aim at reducing energy consumption and environmental pollution in the transportation sector. This paper designs a matrix model which identifies the factors influencing the decision-making process [...] Read more.

New-energy vehicles (NEV), particularly electric vehicles, are globally popular with political and financial support from governments, which aim at reducing energy consumption and environmental pollution in the transportation sector. This paper designs a matrix model which identifies the factors influencing the decision-making process on purchasing NEVs, and applies the model on a Chinese case to investigate the impact of influencing factors on Chinese consumers’ purchase behavior to NEVs. The influencing factors are divided into five groups: economic, political, social, technological and environmental. Through a detailed questionnaire survey of 526 consumers in China, this paper conducts a correlation and difference analysis between these consumers’ status and the influencing factors on the purchase decision-making of NEVs through SPSS software. The results indicate that economic, technological and political factors have a strong influence on purchase behavior, while social and environmental factors have a weaker influence. Additional principal component analysis on influencing factors’ preference reveals that consumers’ preferences have two tendencies: practicability or appearance, with the former is attracting far more attention. Rather than practicability or appearance, consumers care more about economic and political factors. According to these results, this paper suggests several policy implications on enhancing the consumers’ willingness to purchase NEVs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods in Sustainable Energy Development)

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23 pages, 5339 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multicriteria Decision Analysis of Suitable Location for Wind and Photovoltaic Power Plants on the Galápagos Islands

by Geovanna Villacreses, Diego Jijón, Juan Francisco Nicolalde, Javier Martínez-Gómez and Franz Betancourt

Energies 2023, 16(1), 29; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16010029 - 20 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2035

Abstract

The Galapagos Islands have been declared a World Heritage site due to their unique biodiversity, which makes them a living museum and a natural laboratory for humankind. However, to fulfill the energy needs of its habitants and foreign visitors, the islands have depended [...] Read more.

The Galapagos Islands have been declared a World Heritage site due to their unique biodiversity, which makes them a living museum and a natural laboratory for humankind. However, to fulfill the energy needs of its habitants and foreign visitors, the islands have depended on fossil fuel energies that have produced levels of lead and chemical agents that are affecting the islands’ air quality, flora, and fauna. Therefore, zero-carbon initiatives have been created to protect the islands, wherein solar and wind power plants have been studied as reliable alternatives. In this way, Geographical Information Systems based on Multicriteria Decision Methods constitute a methodology that minimizes the destruction and disturbance of nature in order to assess the best location for the implementation of these alternative energy sources. Therefore, by exploring the geographical information along with the Analytical Hierarchical Processes and the Ordered Weighted Average methods, it was possible to identify the potential for solar power plants of 10 MW on each island; likewise, for wind power plants, it was found that the islands possess implementation potential that has been analyzed in the field, showing that the best location is on Baltra Island, but is not limited to it. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods in Sustainable Energy Development)

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18 pages, 357 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application Framework of Multi-Criteria Methods in Sustainability Assessment

by Paweł Ziemba

Energies 2022, 15(23), 9201; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15239201 - 05 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1107

Abstract

In the contemporary literature on sustainability, one can notice an increasingly frequent use of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods instead of classic sustainability indices. The MCDA method should be tailored to the specific sustainability problem and decision situation so that its results are [...] Read more.

In the contemporary literature on sustainability, one can notice an increasingly frequent use of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods instead of classic sustainability indices. The MCDA method should be tailored to the specific sustainability problem and decision situation so that its results are credible and satisfactory for the decision-maker. Therefore, the following research questions arise: (1) which MCDA methods are most often used in sustainability problems, and (2) which methods should be used depending on the characteristics of a particular sustainability decision problem and its assessment. The aim of the article is to scientifically analyse the applicability of various MCDA methods in decision-making problems related to sustainability, sustainable development, and sustainability assessment. In the article, based on the analysis of the literature, a set of features has been developed that determines the possibility of using individual MCDA methods in sustainability problems. Then, the characteristics of 28 methods are presented and the framework for selecting the MCDA method for the purpose of sustainability decision problems is indicated. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that the most commonly used MCDA methods in sustainability problems are primarily methods based on arithmetic aggregation of criteria. In addition, fuzzy methods and fuzzy modifications of classical methods are used more often. Research has established that MCDA methods are more functional than classic sustainability indices. In addition, the use of MCDA methods in the assessment of sustainability gives much more flexibility than the use of classic indices. The proposed framework allows the decision-maker to independently assess the potential of using individual multi-criteria methods in specific decision-making problems related to sustainability. The framework enables the selection of an appropriate MCDA method depending on the defined needs of the decision-maker, resulting from the decision problem, its structure, and decision-making situation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods in Sustainable Energy Development)

25 pages, 2228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Development of Road Transport in the EU: Multi-Criteria Analysis of Countries’ Achievements

by Indre Siksnelyte-Butkiene and Dalia Streimikiene

Energies 2022, 15(21), 8291; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15218291 - 06 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1356

Abstract

One quarter of global energy consumption goes towards meeting transport needs. In Europe, the share of energy for transport is much higher and accounts for about a third. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the sustainable development and progress of the sector. [...] Read more.

One quarter of global energy consumption goes towards meeting transport needs. In Europe, the share of energy for transport is much higher and accounts for about a third. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the sustainable development and progress of the sector. This paper seeks to develop a framework for the sustainability assessment of road transport in EU countries and to evaluate the countries’ achievements in the last decade. The research adheres to the provision that the developed framework should be easily applied in future studies. Therefore, significant attention is paid to the selection of indicators and their availability, as well as the selection of the research instrument itself. The multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique TOPSIS has been applied for calculations and countries’ ranking, in order to compare countries’ achievements in the last decade (2010–2020). The last ten years’ analysis allows us to identify the direction of individual countries in developing road transport. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods in Sustainable Energy Development)

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18 pages, 757 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Methodological Framework to Select Evaluation Criteria for Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of Road Transportation Fuels and Vehicles

by Martin Kügemann and Heracles Polatidis

Energies 2022, 15(14), 5267; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15145267 - 20 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1230

Abstract

Studies applying Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to evaluate Road Transportation Fuels and Vehicles (RTFV) rely on a wide variety of evaluation criteria and appear to lack a structured and consistent way of criteria selection. This leads to non-transparent and not easily comparable evaluation [...] Read more.

Studies applying Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to evaluate Road Transportation Fuels and Vehicles (RTFV) rely on a wide variety of evaluation criteria and appear to lack a structured and consistent way of criteria selection. This leads to non-transparent and not easily comparable evaluation results. To address this issue, a methodological framework is developed to systematically identify and select relevant MCDA-evaluation criteria for the assessment of RTFV. The methodological framework is based on Life Cycle Sustainability Analysis (LCSA) and considers environmental, economic, and social criteria that are complemented with a technical pillar. The scope of the analysis is further enlarged by considering positive and negative externalities. The first part of the framework follows the LCSA approach and requires the analyst to clearly define the context of the analysis. The second part is to decompose the problem by developing criteria categories along the relevant life cycle for each of the evaluation dimensions. This decomposition process helps decision makers to easily identify and select relevant criteria with clear added value within the context of the analysis. In an exemplary application, the developed methodological framework is used to identify relevant criteria for the evaluation of RTFV alternatives for an island aiming at energy self-sufficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods in Sustainable Energy Development)

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17 pages, 1126 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Achievements of Climate Change and Energy Policy in the European Union

by Indre Siksnelyte-Butkiene, Tomas Karpavicius, Dalia Streimikiene and Tomas Balezentis

Energies 2022, 15(14), 5128; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15145128 - 14 Jul 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2019

Abstract

The European transition to green economy is based on long-term strategies. The Europe 2020 Strategy was launched in 2010 in order to promote smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth in the region. Later, the ambitions regarding this strategy were followed by the Green Deal [...] Read more.

The European transition to green economy is based on long-term strategies. The Europe 2020 Strategy was launched in 2010 in order to promote smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth in the region. Later, the ambitions regarding this strategy were followed by the Green Deal and Sustainable Development Goals. Now, the effort of countries towards the green economy is even more relevant than ever because of the context of today’s global energy crisis and economic uncertainty due to many challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic or Russia invasion of Ukraine. This paper seeks to assess the countries’ achievements in seeking climate change and energy targets of the Europe 2020 Strategy by applying the innovative multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique. The kernel-based comprehensive assessment (KerCA) method was applied for the calculations of the progress achieved and countries’ rankings. It allows to evaluate countries’ achievements and compare them using the mathematical models. The analysis of the national target implementation in the countries allows to determine the compliance of countries with their commitments and liability towards other countries and the European Union (EU). An analysis of the implementation of the strategy can serve as a guide to further develop climate change and energy policy in the region. Furthermore, the added value of the article is systematic overview of scientific studies proposing different methodologies for the analysis of target implementation at the whole region level. The novelty of this paper also relies on the approach, which considers not only the level of achievement of the target, but also assesses the excess. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods in Sustainable Energy Development)

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Review

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21 pages, 1553 KiB

Open AccessReview

Energy M&A Market in the Baltic States Analyzed through the Lens of Sustainable Development

by Karolis Andriuškevičius and Dalia Štreimikienė

Energies 2022, 15(21), 7907; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15217907 - 25 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1587

Abstract

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) may serve as a catalyst in energy transition by accelerating this trend and “greenwashing” the deals. M&A are often used by large energy companies as a tool to explore potential synergy benefits. Recently, M&A strategies in the energy industry [...] Read more.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) may serve as a catalyst in energy transition by accelerating this trend and “greenwashing” the deals. M&A are often used by large energy companies as a tool to explore potential synergy benefits. Recently, M&A strategies in the energy industry have been pursued to transform traditional business models into more “sustainable” models. On the one hand, it may be observed that companies are taking a proactive rather than reactive approach towards environmental-, social-, and governance (ESG)-related M&A deals. On the other hand, sustainable M&A deals do not interest activist shareholders and regulatory authorities only anymore. Inclusion of a sustainability framework and managing ESG-related risks have become part of the overall strategy of most companies within the energy industry. This research addresses the problem of how energy M&A are contributing to sustainable development on the one hand and reflecting sustainable developments on the other hand. The current research focuses on the systematic literature on the M&A deals in the energy industry through the lens of sustainability by applying the SALSA methodology. Further, we applied a SWOT analysis of M&A in the energy industry from the perspective of sustainable development. Thomson Reuters DataStream 5.1 database was used for developing a case study. A sample of Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian energy companies that were involved as acquirers or targets in the M&A events from 1995 to 2020 was developed. Establishing a methodological approach construed of SALSA, SWOT, and case study analyses allowed us to bridge a gap in the existing literature and provoke further discussion in regards to market developments through the lens of sustainable development. The research results showed that there are relatively few M&A of renewable companies as the M&A market is dominated by traditional energy companies within Baltic states. However, companies in the Baltic states are pursuing energy security, have set targets for emission reductions, renewables and energy efficiency, are supporting EU climate neutrality, and put great emphasis on climate change mitigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods in Sustainable Energy Development)

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