Assessment of the renewable energy-mix and land use trade-off at a regional level: A case study for the Kujawsko–Pomorskie Voivodship

PurposeThe transition to a low carbon future is an emerging challenge and requires the planning and designing of sustainable energy landscapes – landscapes that provide renewable energy while safeguarding the supply of other ecosystem services. The aim of this paper is to present the application of an ecosystem services trade-off assessment in the development of sustainable energy landscapes for long-term strategic planning in a case study in Schouwen-Duivenland, The Netherlands.Design/methodology/approachThe application consists in three activities: in (1) stakeholder mapping hot spots of ecosystem services and renewable energy technologies in a workshop, (2) landscape design principles being discussed by a focus group, (3) experts gathering the information and proceeding with an assessment of the potential synergies and trade-offs.FindingsThe case study indicates that (1) deploying the ecosystem services framework in planning and design can enhance the development of sustainable energy landscapes, (2) diversified and accurate spatial reference systems advance the trade-off analysis of both regulating and cultural ecosystem services and (3) the involvement of local stakeholders can advance the trade-off analysis and, ultimately, facilitates the transition to a low-carbon future with sustainable energy landscapes.Originality/valueThe originality of this research lies in the creation of an approach for the deployment of ecosystem services in the planning and design of energy transition. This is useful to advance energy transition by enhancing research methods, by providing methods useful for planners and designers and by supporting communities pursuing energy self-sufficiency in a sustainable manner.

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Multi-Function Tradeoffs of Land System in Urbanized Areas—A Case Study of Xi’an, China

Land ◽

10.3390/land10060640 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 640

Author(s):

Jiaqi Shao ◽

Fei Li

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Spatial Pattern ◽

Arable Land ◽

Qinling Mountains ◽

The South ◽

Trade Off ◽

Land System ◽

The North ◽

Trade Offs

Multi-functional trade-offs and synergy research on land systems are hotspots in geography and land science research, and are of great significance for achieving sustainable development of land use and the effective allocation of land resources. Recently, the development of the western region and The Belt and Road Initiative have become key topics, bringing opportunities and challenges to Xi’an. The rapid development of cities is accompanied by drastic changes in land use, and the ecological problems in the Qinling Mountains are becoming increasingly severe. This study took Xi’an as a case study and quantitatively evaluated the spatial-temporal patterns and trade-offs of land system functions such as economic development (ED), grain production (GP), ecological service (ES), etc. on the scale of 1 km × 1 km by fusing the data on land use, topography, soil, climate, and social economy. The results showed that the ED function of the land system continued to rise between 1980 and 2015, the GP function first declined and then increased; however, the ES function continued to decline. The ED, GP and ES functions respectively present a spatial pattern of high-value agglomeration, high in the north and low in the south, and high in the south and low in the north. In general, the three land system functions were trade-offs between each other. In terms of spatial pattern, ED and ES functions showed trade-offs in the south and a synergy distribution in the north; ESs and GP function trade-off zone significantly larger than the synergy zone, the trade-off between the two was significant; while the trade-off and the synergy zone for GP and ED was relatively small, the trade-off zone was the main one. The significant trade-off between GP and ES functions of the land system is a serious problem in land use in Xi’an. Under the premise of limited arable land, it is the current feasible strategy to promote the high-quality development of agriculture to increase the cultivation rate and efficiency, and to strengthen the ecological protection of arable land. In addition, the continued decline of ES functions is also worthy of attention. It is necessary to focus on increasing the greening rate of the city and strengthening the ecological management of the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains.

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GIS-based optimization – achieving Austria’s 2030 wind energy target

e & i Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik ◽

10.1007/s00502-021-00932-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Robert Gaugl ◽

Thomas Klatzer ◽

Udo Bachhiesl ◽

Sonja Wogrin ◽

Stefan Jodl

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Wind Power ◽

National Parks ◽

Historical Data ◽

Cellular Level ◽

Regional Level ◽

Power Capacity ◽

Exponential Increase ◽

Average Wind

AbstractIn this paper, we take a look at Austria’s renewable energy targets established in the Renewable Energy Expansion Act (EAG), aiming to annually generate an additional 10 TWh of wind power by 2030. We conduct a GIS (geographic information system)-based analysis to determine average wind power density in Austria on a cellular level while considering prohibited regions, such as national parks, where building wind turbines might not be allowed. The calculated expansion potential for all remaining regions of Austria is allocated to the closest corresponding transmission nodes. Furthermore, we suggest an optimization algorithm to geographically distribute the expansion of wind power capacity to applicable transmission nodes. Finally, we conduct a case study to validate the algorithm using historical data on expansion and utilize it to predict an annual scenario for wind power expansion from 2021 to 2030 on a regional level. The total expansion required to achieve the goal of 10 TWh is assessed to be 4 GW based on predefined full load hours while assuming an exponential increase in annually added capacity (from 250 MW in 2021 to 590 MW in 2030).

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Biomass Sea-Based Supply Chains and the Secondary Ports in the Era of Decarbonization

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14071796 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (7) ◽

pp. 1796

Author(s):

Marta Mańkowska ◽

Michał Pluciński ◽

Izabela Kotowska

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Supply Chains ◽

Carbon Footprint ◽

Major Part ◽

Single Case ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Attractive Alternative ◽

Energy Mix ◽

The Future

One of the tools to attain the goal of climate-neutrality by 2050 by the European Union is increasing the share of renewable energy sources (RESs) in the energy mix of member states. A major part of the future bioenergy mix is to be played by biomass. As many hazards have been pointed out when using forest biomass, particular attention is paid to the potential of agro biomass. However, as agro biomass is sourced mostly locally, the supply may not be sufficient to meet the growing demand. Therefore, international trade (including overseas) might become increasingly important to meet the EU renewable energy targets. In this context, it is seaports that may play a major part in developing biomass supply chains. The main purpose of the article is to fill the research gap by identifying the pros and cons for the development of biomass sea-based supply chains through secondary ports and specifying their relevance from the perspective of major stakeholders in the context of decarbonization processes. The supplementary purpose of the study was the verification of the environmental sustainability of biomass sea-based supply chains through secondary ports versus land transport (carbon footprint). This study applied the single case study method (the case of the secondary port in Szczecin). The case study strategy involved qualitative and quantitative research techniques. Our research study showed that (1) overseas agro biomass (wastes and residues) may become a significant tool in the process of decarbonization of economies that are heavily reliant on coal as a transition fuel and as a stable RES in the structure of the future energy mix; and (2) biomass sea-based supply chains may be an attractive alternative for secondary ports affected by negative outcomes of decarbonization. However, a dedicated biomass terminal would make the secondary ports more attractive for this type of cargo. A biomass terminal may provide sufficient port service efficiency and enable harmonization of deliveries. Additionally, the carbon footprint analysis performed in this study has shown that biomass sea-based supply chains generate lower CO2 emissions than alternative land deliveries.

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