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Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "C: Energy Economics and Policy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 41993

Special Issue Editors

Department of Applied Economics, Universidad de Oviedo, Avda. del Cristo s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Interests: energy efficiency; decarbonization; renewables; LMDI method
Departament of Applied Economics, University of Oviedo, Avda. del Cristo s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Interests: time series econometrics; nonparametric methods; index-based decomposition techniques, with applications to economics and environmental fields

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Growing climate change concerns, the greenhouse effect, and its consequences highlight the importance of sustainable economic growth, which allows improving the quality of life without reducing the environmental situation. More efficient use of energy, the search for green energy, technological improvements, recycling of materials, a redistribution of economic resources, or the promotion of green attitudes can contribute to mitigating climate change, reducing CO2 emissions, and its negatives consequences for the planet. This Special Issue will focus on the role that renewable energies, new technologies, and energy efficiency play in this context.

Topics will broadly include, but are not limited to the following: 

  • Clean energies 
  • Energy efficiency use 
  • Technologies and fuels able to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint 
  • Decarbonization measures proposals 
  • Alternative fuels for stationary and mobile solutions 
  • Implementation of more energy-efficient technologies 
  • Policies to tackle climate change 
  • Promotion of green consumption

Prof. Dr. Paula Fernández González
Prof. Dr. María José Presno
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Clean energies
  • Energy efficiency
  • Climate change
  • Mitigation policies
  • Energy resources

Published Papers (17 papers)

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19 pages, 4198 KiB  
Article
Proposal of Agro-Industrial Integration Heat Transport System Using High-Performance Medium for the Realization of a Sustainable Society
by Seiji Matsuo, Masaya Suzuki and Teruaki Shimazu
Energies 2022, 15(3), 1211; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15031211 - 07 Feb 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1242
Abstract
The aim of this study is to propose an agro-industrial heat transport system from industrial to agricultural areas for horticultural facilities with high heat demand to fill the problematic gap in the current heat transport system, and to derive by simulation the conditions [...] Read more.
The aim of this study is to propose an agro-industrial heat transport system from industrial to agricultural areas for horticultural facilities with high heat demand to fill the problematic gap in the current heat transport system, and to derive by simulation the conditions under which this system can be used economically as well as environmentally. In this study, HASClay was used as a high-performance medium. HASClay has the ability to supply carbon dioxide (CO2) at the same time as heat and dehumidify the inside of the house, so it can be expected to increase the yield in addition to reducing the environmental load by using heat. The simulation results show that the proposed system of supplying heat to a large greenhouse in HASClay in 20-ton containers would have an economic budget similar to that of the previous system, but with an environmental impact of about 80% less tomatoes and 84% less chrysanthemum fuel than the previous system of heating with fuel oil. On the other hand, the analysis showed that the power of the fan could be reduced as an improvement of the heat transport problem using HASClay. As a countermeasure, the use of natural energy and the change of the fan for heat supply from a damper system to an inverter system to control the air volume were considered. For transport to the 10a scale, which has environmental advantages, a system was proposed in which the heat from the HASClay is divided into mini-tanks and transported to stations envisaged in each region, where it is collected by the agricultural producers. In summary, the authors concluded that our proposal for an agro-industrial fusion system based on the transport of heat using HASClay is an effective method for the realization of a sustainable society. The environmental benefits of the project are likely to attract participation from the industrial sphere in order to meet future demands for CO2 reductions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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27 pages, 3280 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Energy Sustainability Issues in the Andean Community: Additional Indicators and Their Interpretation
by Tatiana Ponomarenko, Ekaterina Reshneva and Alexander Patricio Mosquera Urbano
Energies 2022, 15(3), 1077; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15031077 - 01 Feb 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2231
Abstract
To achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), it is necessary to solve the problem of assessing and measuring energy sustainability performance. A popular indicator used for this purpose is the World Energy Council (WEC) energy sustainability index, or the Energy Trilemma Index, which is [...] Read more.
To achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), it is necessary to solve the problem of assessing and measuring energy sustainability performance. A popular indicator used for this purpose is the World Energy Council (WEC) energy sustainability index, or the Energy Trilemma Index, which is based on such key metrics as energy security, energy equity, environmental sustainability, and country context. Each of the four metrics, or dimensions, includes many indicators that depend on both internal and external factors. By combining a variety of indicators into integral ones, WEC ranks countries in terms of energy sustainability. However, what is not taken into account is how countries differ in terms of economic development, income, energy mix, renewables use, ownership in the energy sector, and other factors, and neither is the methodology itself disclosed by the developers. As a provider for all other sectors of the economy, the energy sector plays an important role in developing countries. Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, being members of the Andean Community, are neighbors and have similar economic conditions but lack transnational power grid interconnections, which hinders the development of a common energy market. In terms of energy sustainability, these countries’ ranks range from 45 to 101, according to the Energy Trilemma Index. The aim of the study is to develop a new methodology for assessing energy sustainability performance that will factor in the specific features of developing countries with a high share of hydroelectricity generation, and to calculate energy sustainability index indicators taking into account contemporary requirements for sustainable development, which include developing green and renewable energy and fostering decarbonization. This research reveals whether the countries’ energy sustainability indices correspond to their actual performance in energy development and identifies the factors influencing the values of the metrics in the Energy Trilemma Index. The methodology can be used to integrate the energy sectors of countries, as it allows for evaluating the state of the energy sector of several countries (for example, those of the Andean Community) as a whole. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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14 pages, 748 KiB  
Article
Impact of Clean Energy Policies on Electricity Sector Carbon Emissions in the EU-28
by Gustavo Pineiro-Villaverde and María Teresa García-Álvarez
Energies 2022, 15(3), 1040; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15031040 - 30 Jan 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2402
Abstract
The European Union (EU) has developed important efforts in enacting various clean energy policies in order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the last decades. Both supply-side and demand-side changes are required in the energy systems in the period of 2020–2030 and [...] Read more.
The European Union (EU) has developed important efforts in enacting various clean energy policies in order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the last decades. Both supply-side and demand-side changes are required in the energy systems in the period of 2020–2030 and going towards 2050. In this context, a better understanding of the effects of these specific clean energy actions on reducing GHG emissions may be especially of interest for allowing policymakers to know the strengths and weaknesses of various climate-related power sector policies. This paper adds to the literature by presenting the effects of both supply-side and demand-side policies and empirical evidence of the impact of these policies on the reduction in carbon emissions. This analysis was done by means of a panel data set and several regression models that contribute to explaining the link between clean energy policies applied in the EU and carbon emissions over the period of 2000–2019. The results show that while supply-side policies have shown a positive and effective impact on the reduction in GHG emissions, on the demand side, more aggressive policy efforts are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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17 pages, 3113 KiB  
Article
A Study on Improving Economy Efficiency of Pumping Stations Based on Tariff Changes
by Michał Napierała
Energies 2022, 15(3), 799; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15030799 - 22 Jan 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2181
Abstract
In this paper, research on improving the economic efficiency of 38 drainage pumping stations was undertaken. Particular attention was paid to the effectiveness of activities without considering any expenditures. Energy costs for this type of machine are usually high, approximately 45% of the [...] Read more.
In this paper, research on improving the economic efficiency of 38 drainage pumping stations was undertaken. Particular attention was paid to the effectiveness of activities without considering any expenditures. Energy costs for this type of machine are usually high, approximately 45% of the total maintenance cost. The main assumption of this work was the selection of appropriate energy tariffs to reduce operating costs. Liquid transport in any economy consumes significant amounts of electricity, estimated at 20–30% of the total electricity production. The optimization of the energy consumption of pumping processes is, therefore, very important. While analyzing the choice of energy tariffs, we designed profitability ratios (PR) specifically for different daily time zones. With the forecasted distribution of energy demands for different daily time zones (usually 2 or 3 zones), it was possible to compare multi-zone tariffs with 24 h tariffs. The profitability of the tariffs was decided by the value of the PR indicator. The lower, the better. In practice, this meant that the analyzed multi-zone tariffs, in most cases, are more profitable compared to single-zone tariffs. In the Polish energy system, each entrepreneur, depending on the connection power, has a right to choose a particular energy tariff from three tariff groups, i.e., high (A), medium (B), and low (C) voltage. In the case of land reclamation pumping stations, energy tariffs are usually from groups B and C. The choice of tariffs largely depends on the contracted capacity and is determined by tariff regulation. Nowadays, the current energy system forces entrepreneurs to declare a connected power load at the level corresponding to the maximum use of the production potential. Lack of knowledge of the hydrological regime, quite common for land reclamation pumping stations, usually results in overestimating the contracted capacity. When comparing the effect of changing tariffs, it was found that the profitability of this method is significant. The four-year study period (2010–2013) showed that active energy in the multi-part tariffs of groups B and C is on average 10.2% cheaper than in the single-part tariffs and varies in a wide range from 2% to 20.4%. The analysis carried out on 38 drainage pumping stations shows that for only five pumping stations could changing the current tariff be unjustified. In the other cases, the four years of analysis demonstrates that changing the current energy tariff could reduce electricity costs by approximately 5%., i.e., approximately PLN 124,000 per year (approximately EUR 27,000). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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18 pages, 3636 KiB  
Article
Multi-Parameter Optimization of Efficiency, Capital Cost and Mass of Ferris Wheel Turbine for Low Wind Speed Regions
by Kehinde A. Adeyeye, Nelson Ijumba and Jonathan S. Colton
Energies 2021, 14(19), 6217; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14196217 - 29 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3469
Abstract
The design and development of wind turbines in low-wind-speed areas involves several technical and financial challenges related to maximizing conversion efficiency and minimizing cost. Unfortunately, much of the African continent is dominated by low-wind-speed resources. In this study, a multi-parameter optimization method is [...] Read more.
The design and development of wind turbines in low-wind-speed areas involves several technical and financial challenges related to maximizing conversion efficiency and minimizing cost. Unfortunately, much of the African continent is dominated by low-wind-speed resources. In this study, a multi-parameter optimization method is used to explore the design of a novel Ferris wheel wind turbine (FWT) technology, which has an 800-kW generation capability. We used the tip speed ratio, lift-to-drag ratio and power coefficient to determine the optimal efficiency by varying the number of blades and rim diameters. The capital cost estimates, as affected by rim diameter and the number of blades, are presented. This paper studies FWTs at their rated wind speeds because wind turbines have their maximum performance at the rated wind speeds, and this allows one to observe the effects of changing the rim diameter and the number of blades without the need to consider the location of the turbine. The results show that reducing the number of spokes by half (from 64 to 32) on the four rim diameters studied decreases the efficiency by less than 0.19%, while reducing the acquisition cost by 42%, installation cost by 42% and mass by 28%. Reducing the number of spokes to a quarter (i.e., from 32 to 16) decreases the efficiency by less than 0.31%, reduces the acquisition and installation costs by 36% and 35.5%, respectively, and the mass by 19.2%, of the four rim diameters studied. The reduction of the number of blades has a significant effect on the efficiency and capital cost with varying rim diameters. This paper shows the potential for Ferris-wheel-based wind turbines for low-wind-speed conditions, such as those that prevail in parts of Africa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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15 pages, 2683 KiB  
Article
Efficiency Increase of Energy Systems in Oil and Gas Industry by Evaluation of Electric Drive Lifecycle
by Nikolay Korolev, Anatoly Kozyaruk and Valentin Morenov
Energies 2021, 14(19), 6074; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14196074 - 24 Sep 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2375
Abstract
The efficiency issue of energy systems in the oil and gas industry is a crucial factor nowadays. Energy share in the production costs of oil and gas can reach 50%. Among the most important energy equipment are the electric drives of the pumps, [...] Read more.
The efficiency issue of energy systems in the oil and gas industry is a crucial factor nowadays. Energy share in the production costs of oil and gas can reach 50%. Among the most important energy equipment are the electric drives of the pumps, compressors, auxiliary units, etc. The paper considered the lifecycle of the electric drives used at oil and gas fields and evaluated their efficiency parameters during periods of operational wear or malfunctioning. At the same time, the lifecycle of the energy equipment was seen as its technical state during operation. Based on the spectral analysis of the current using the finite Fourier transform (FFT), the main frequency components were identified that characterize the type and level of malfunction, taking into account defined efficiency indicators of the electric drive. A technique for assessing the technical state of an electric drive was proposed based on the normalized levels of the amplitudes of the frequency components. Predictive management of the electric drive was implemented in terms of correcting the control system when a malfunction occurs, providing the required efficiency indicators. Boundaries for the technical state of the electric drive were determined. Recommendations for further operation, terms of maintenance and repair or preventive management were presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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33 pages, 6550 KiB  
Article
Energy Consumption-Based Maintenance Policy Optimization
by Ágota Bányai
Energies 2021, 14(18), 5674; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14185674 - 09 Sep 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2233
Abstract
The optimal predictive, preventive, corrective and opportunistic maintenance policies play an important role in the success of sustainable maintenance operations. This study discusses a new energy efficiency-related maintenance policy optimization method, which is based on failure data and status information from both the [...] Read more.
The optimal predictive, preventive, corrective and opportunistic maintenance policies play an important role in the success of sustainable maintenance operations. This study discusses a new energy efficiency-related maintenance policy optimization method, which is based on failure data and status information from both the physical system and the digital twin-based discrete event simulation. The study presents the functional model, the mathematical model and the solution algorithm. The maintenance optimization method proposed in this paper is made up of four main phases: computation of energy consumption based on the levelized cost of energy, computation of GHG emission, computation of value determination equations and application of the Howard’s policy iteration techniques. The approach was tested with a scenario analysis, where different electricity generation sources were taken into consideration. The computational results validated the optimization method and show that optimized maintenance policies can lead to an average of 38% cost reduction regarding energy consumption related costs. Practical implications of the proposed model and method regard the possibility of finding optimal maintenance policies that can affect the energy consumption and emissions from the operation and maintenance of manufacturing systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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16 pages, 1122 KiB  
Article
GHG and NH3 Emissions vs. Energy Efficiency of Maize Production Technology: Evidence from Polish Farms; a Further Study
by Anita Konieczna, Kamil Roman, Kinga Borek and Emilia Grzegorzewska
Energies 2021, 14(17), 5574; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14175574 - 06 Sep 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2021
Abstract
The paper determines the effect of selected cultivation technologies, including production chain energy inputs (growing, harvest, heap forming) on greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) to the atmosphere. The data for the study was collected from 13 actually operating family farms ranging in size from [...] Read more.
The paper determines the effect of selected cultivation technologies, including production chain energy inputs (growing, harvest, heap forming) on greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) to the atmosphere. The data for the study was collected from 13 actually operating family farms ranging in size from 2 to 13 ha, located in the Podlaskie voivodship (Poland). GHG and ammonia (NH3) emissions from natural and mineral fertilisation as well as GHGs from energy carriers in a form of fuels (ON) were estimated. The average GHG emissions from the sources analysed were 1848.030 kg·CO2eq·ha−1 and 29.492 kg·CO2eq·t−1 of the green forage yield. The average NH3 emissions per hectare were 15,261.808 kg NH3 and 248.871 kg NH3·t−1 of yield. The strongest impact on the environment, due to the GHG emissions to the atmosphere, thus contributing to the greenhouse effect, is due nitrogen fertilisation, both mineral and natural. On average, in the technologies under study, 61% of the total GHG emissions came from fertilisation. The GHG emissions were correlated with the energy efficiency, calculated at the previous research stage, of the production technologies applied. There is a negative correlation (r = −0.80) between the features studied, which means that the higher the energy efficiency of the silage maize plantations, the lower the air pollution emissions in a form of the GHGs from the sources under study. It is so important to prevent environmental degradation to continue, conduct in-depth, interdisciplinary research on reducing the energy consumption of crop production technologies and striving to increase energy efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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18 pages, 3714 KiB  
Article
Marine Energy Environmental Permitting and Compliance Costs
by William J. Peplinski, Jesse Roberts, Geoff Klise, Sharon Kramer, Zach Barr, Anna West and Craig Jones
Energies 2021, 14(16), 4719; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14164719 - 04 Aug 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3221
Abstract
Costs to permit Marine Energy projects are poorly understood. In this paper we examine environmental compliance and permitting costs for 19 projects in the U.S., covering the last 2 decades. Guided discussions were conducted with developers over a 3-year period to obtain historical [...] Read more.
Costs to permit Marine Energy projects are poorly understood. In this paper we examine environmental compliance and permitting costs for 19 projects in the U.S., covering the last 2 decades. Guided discussions were conducted with developers over a 3-year period to obtain historical and ongoing project cost data relative to environmental studies (e.g., baseline or pre-project site characterization as well as post-installation effects monitoring), stakeholder outreach, and mitigation, as well as qualitative experience of the permitting process. Data are organized in categories of technology type, permitted capacity, pre- and post-installation, geographic location, and funding types. We also compare our findings with earlier logic models created for the Department of Energy (i.e., Reference Models). Environmental studies most commonly performed were for Fish and Fisheries, Noise, Marine Habitat/Benthic Studies and Marine Mammals. Studies for tidal projects were more expensive than those performed for wave projects and the range of reported project costs tended to be wider than ranges predicted by logic models. For eight projects reporting full project costs, from project start to FERC or USACE permit, the average amount for environmental permitting compliance was 14.6%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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27 pages, 53161 KiB  
Article
Empirical Investigation of the Hygrothermal Diffusion Properties of Permeable Building Membranes Subjected to Variable Relative Humidity Condition
by Toba Samuel Olaoye, Mark Dewsbury and Hartwig Künzel
Energies 2021, 14(13), 4053; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14134053 - 05 Jul 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3343
Abstract
Hygrothermal modelling is increasingly used to inform building envelope design. A key input for these calculations is the material’s vapour diffusion properties. Respecting a growing international concern, this research has questioned the appropriateness of the current test method to establish construction material for [...] Read more.
Hygrothermal modelling is increasingly used to inform building envelope design. A key input for these calculations is the material’s vapour diffusion properties. Respecting a growing international concern, this research has questioned the appropriateness of the current test method to establish construction material for vapour diffusion properties. This article reports on the empirical measurement of the vapour diffusion properties of two vapour-permeable building membranes commonly used in Australia residential systems when subjected to variable relative humidity conditions. The method involved completing dry cup and wet cup standard tests as specified in ISO 12572, (23 °C and 50% relative humidity RH). Further tests were then conducted as temperature remained at 23 °C but the relative humidity changed to 35%, 65% and 80%, respectively, in order to know if the diffusion properties are the same or change with varying relative humidity. The results from the wet cup and dry cup tests under different relative humidity conditions were non-linear and different. These results indicate vapour-permeable membranes behave differently when exposed to different relative humidity conditions. In conclusion, this research demonstrates that the current vapour resistivity test method is inadequate, hence the need to establish more detailed diffusion resistivity properties in different humidity ranges that represent conditions experienced within a building’s external envelope. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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24 pages, 3987 KiB  
Article
Old Wind Farm Life Extension vs. Full Repowering: A Review of Economic Issues and a Stochastic Application for Spain
by Luis M. Abadie and Nestor Goicoechea
Energies 2021, 14(12), 3678; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14123678 - 20 Jun 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3036
Abstract
The installation of wind power technology is growing steadily and the trend can be expected to continue if the objectives proposed by the European Commission are to be achieved. In some countries a considerable percentage of installed wind power capacity is near the [...] Read more.
The installation of wind power technology is growing steadily and the trend can be expected to continue if the objectives proposed by the European Commission are to be achieved. In some countries a considerable percentage of installed wind power capacity is near the end of its useful lifetime. In the case of Spain, the figure is 50% within five years. Over the last 20 years, wind energy technology has evolved considerably and the expected capacity factor has improved, thus increasing annual energy production, and capital expenditure and operational expenditure have decreased substantially. This paper studies the optimal decision under uncertainty between life extension and full repowering for a generic wind farm installed in the Iberian Peninsula when the future hourly electricity prices and the capacity factor evolve stochastically and seasonally. The results show that in economic terms, full repowering is the best option, with a net present value of €702,093 per MW installed, while reblading is the second best option. The methodology can be transferred to other specific wind farms in different electricity markets and can be used to develop national wind energy policy recommendations to achieve projected shares in the electricity mix. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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13 pages, 1261 KiB  
Article
An Analysis of Countries’ Bargaining Power Derived from the Natural Gas Transportation System Using a Cooperative Game Theory Model
by Mihai Daniel Roman and Diana Mihaela Stanculescu
Energies 2021, 14(12), 3595; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14123595 - 17 Jun 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2245
Abstract
A large consumption of natural gas accompanied by reduced production capabilities makes Europe heavily dependent on imports from Russia. More than half of Russian gas is exported by transiting Ukraine, so in the context of the underlying conflict between the two, this is [...] Read more.
A large consumption of natural gas accompanied by reduced production capabilities makes Europe heavily dependent on imports from Russia. More than half of Russian gas is exported by transiting Ukraine, so in the context of the underlying conflict between the two, this is considered uncertain. Therefore, in this article, we modeled the natural gas transportation system using cooperative game theory in order to determine the bargaining power of the major players (Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and Norway) by using a form of the Shapley value. We described the interaction between countries as network games where utilities from transport routes are considered and proposed three scenarios where the gas flow from Russia to Ukraine is either diminished or completely interrupted, with the purpose of finding out how the bargaining power on this market is shifted in case of network redesign. In this context, we included in the analysis the scenario where the Nord Stream 2 pipeline will be finished. Results showed that Russia dominates the market in any scenario, and by avoiding Ukraine, its position is even further strengthened. Moreover, Germany’s position remains stable considering its diverse imports and large storage capabilities, and its bargaining power increases in the case of diminishing or avoiding the Ukrainian gas pipelines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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16 pages, 1378 KiB  
Article
Development and Application of Schema Based Occupant-Centric Building Performance Metrics
by Cory Mosiman, Gregor Henze and Herbert Els
Energies 2021, 14(12), 3513; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14123513 - 13 Jun 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1903
Abstract
Occupant behavior can significantly influence the operation and performance of buildings. Many occupant-centric key performance indicators (KPIs) rely on having accurate counts of the number of occupants in a building, which is very different to how occupancy information is currently collected in the [...] Read more.
Occupant behavior can significantly influence the operation and performance of buildings. Many occupant-centric key performance indicators (KPIs) rely on having accurate counts of the number of occupants in a building, which is very different to how occupancy information is currently collected in the majority of buildings today. To address this gap, the authors develop a standardized methodology for the calculation of percent space utilization for buildings, which is formulated with respect to two prevalent operational data schemas: the Brick Schema and Project Haystack. The methodology is scalable across different levels of spatial granularity and irrespective of sensor placement. Moreover, the methods are intended to make use of typical occupancy sensors that capture presence level occupancy and not counts of people. Since occupant-hours is a preferable metric to use in KPI calculations, a method to convert between percent space utilization and occupant-hours using the design occupancy for a space is also developed. The methodology is demonstrated on a small commercial office space in Boulder, Colorado using data collected between June 2018 and February 2019. A multiple linear regression is performed that shows strong evidence for a relationship between building energy consumption and percent space utilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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16 pages, 1804 KiB  
Article
Stationarity in the Prices of Energy Commodities. A Nonparametric Approach
by Manuel Landajo, María José Presno and Paula Fernández González
Energies 2021, 14(11), 3324; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14113324 - 05 Jun 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2469
Abstract
In this paper, we address the classical problem of testing for stationarity in the prices of energy-related commodities. A panel of fourteen time series of monthly prices is analyzed for the 1980–2020 period. Nine of the series are classical nonrenewable, GHG-emissions-intensive resources (coal, [...] Read more.
In this paper, we address the classical problem of testing for stationarity in the prices of energy-related commodities. A panel of fourteen time series of monthly prices is analyzed for the 1980–2020 period. Nine of the series are classical nonrenewable, GHG-emissions-intensive resources (coal, crude oil, natural gas), whereas the remaining, low-emission group includes both uranium and four commodities employed in biofuels (rapeseed, palm, and soybean oils, and ethanol). A nonparametric, bootstrap-based stationarity testing framework is employed. The main advantage of this procedure is its asymptotically model-free nature, being less sensitive than parametric tests to the risks of misspecification and detection of spurious unit roots, although it has the potential limitation of typically requiring larger samples than mainstream tools. Results suggest that most of the series analyzed may be trend stationary. The only exception would be crude oil, where different conclusions are obtained depending on whether a seasonal correction is applied or not. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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14 pages, 266 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Informational Feedback on the Energy Consumption of Online Services: Some Evidence for the European Union
by Ana Salomé García-Muñiz and María Rosalía Vicente
Energies 2021, 14(10), 2940; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14102940 - 19 May 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1531
Abstract
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have scarcely been considered in studies on green consumption. Likewise, little attention has been paid to the effects of informational feedback on household energy ICT-related consumption. This paper aims to fill these gaps in the literature. Using microdata [...] Read more.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have scarcely been considered in studies on green consumption. Likewise, little attention has been paid to the effects of informational feedback on household energy ICT-related consumption. This paper aims to fill these gaps in the literature. Using microdata from a representative sample of the European Union population, this paper analyzes, in a novel way, whether the provision of information about the energy consumed by online services would make internet users change to a greener ICT consumption behavior. To assess this issue, Heckman type selection models are estimated. The results show that people’s concerns about environmental problems, their environmental activism and self-perceived efficacy as consumers are directly related to the influence that information provision exerts. We also find that frequent internet users and those with better digital skills are more willing to change their online behavior if given information on energy consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
27 pages, 8694 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Changes in the Aggregate Exergy Efficiency of China’s Energy System from 2005 to 2015
by Yuancheng Lin, Chinhao Chong, Linwei Ma, Zheng Li and Weidou Ni
Energies 2021, 14(8), 2304; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14082304 - 19 Apr 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2226
Abstract
Analysis of the change of overall energy efficiency performance of an energy system is a fundamental work for the energy-saving policymaking. However, previous studies seldom focus on energy stages from useful energy to final service, while most attention are paid on stages from [...] Read more.
Analysis of the change of overall energy efficiency performance of an energy system is a fundamental work for the energy-saving policymaking. However, previous studies seldom focus on energy stages from useful energy to final service, while most attention are paid on stages from energy source to useful energy. In this paper, we develop a high-resolution the Societal Exergy Analysis and Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (SEA-LMDI) method to analysis changes and driving factors of the aggregate exergy efficiency, in which the boundary of the SEA is extended to passive systems and final services, and a LMDI decomposition method is developed to quantify contributions of efficiency factors and structure factors of all six stages on the aggregate exergy efficiency. A case study of China during 2005–2015 reveals that: (a) the aggregate exergy efficiency from energy source to final service is only from 3.7% to 4.8% during 2005–2015, showing a huge theoretical potential of efficiency improvement. (b) Large passive losses are identified in passive systems and nearly 2/3 of useful energy can be theoretically saved by improving passive systems. (c) Deep analysis of industrial coal-fired boilers indicates that the internal structural adjustments are also important for the aggregate improvement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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Case Report
The Permitting, Licensing and Environmental Compliance Process: Lessons and Experiences within U.S. Marine Renewable Energy
by Zachary Barr, Jesse Roberts, William Peplinski, Anna West, Sharon Kramer and Craig Jones
Energies 2021, 14(16), 5048; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14165048 - 17 Aug 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1967
Abstract
The marine renewable energy (MRE; renewable energy captured from waves, tides, ocean currents, the natural flow of water in rivers, and marine thermal gradients, without building new dams or diversions) industry has a vital role in the U.S. clean energy strategy as we [...] Read more.
The marine renewable energy (MRE; renewable energy captured from waves, tides, ocean currents, the natural flow of water in rivers, and marine thermal gradients, without building new dams or diversions) industry has a vital role in the U.S. clean energy strategy as we progress to meet U.S. electricity and blue economy needs with renewable, domestic energy sources. However, a thorough assessment of the U.S. marine energy permitting process from the viewpoints of both developers that propose projects and regulators that permit them has not been performed. Sharing practical experiences in this new industry is vital to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the permitting process, identify data and information gaps, develop lessons learned, and advance the industry. This paper is a case study of qualitative findings, lessons learned, and recommendations from guided discussions, workshops, and webinars with both marine renewable energy developers and state and federal regulators that have experience in the permitting process in the U.S. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Economics)
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