scholarly journals Chemical energy storage enables the transformation of fossil energy systems to sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 1584-1593
Author(s):  
Robert Schlögl
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Chemical Energy ◽  
Chemical Science ◽  
Fossil Energy ◽  
Energy Transitions ◽  
Systemic Nature

The enormous dimensions of sustainable energy transitions and their overarching systemic nature require adequate responses from chemical science.

scholarly journals Digitalisation and sustainable energy transitions in Africa: assessing the impact of policy and regulatory environments on the energy sector in Nigeria and South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fortune Nwaiwu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Smart Grids ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Use Cases ◽  
Energy Transitions ◽  
Production And Consumption

Abstract Background Digital technologies have unique characteristics for achieving radically disruptive transitions within the energy sector. They provide opportunities for new production and consumption models between micro-producers and consumers of electricity within communities in a way that transforms the traditional energy generation and consumption model. The study critically assessed the digitalisation of energy systems in Africa within the context of existing policy frameworks in the quest to achieve sustainable energy transitions in Africa. It investigated how digital technologies such as blockchain, digital platforms and smart grids were adopted and implemented within the energy sector to achieve new energy production and consumption models that are both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. This assessment was done within the context of existing policy and regulatory frameworks of the society where the use cases were domiciled. Methods The aim of the research was to investigate how sustainable energy transitions are being achieved in Nigeria and South Africa through the digitalisation of energy systems. A qualitative methodological approach was done in three stages—a document analysis that reviewed relevant literature on the energy sector policies in Nigeria and South Africa; the next step involved a comparative case study conducted to assess the characteristics of digital technology deployment in each country’s energy transition. Finally, outcomes of the comparative case studies were then situated within the context of existing policies within the countries covered by the study. Results Results from the research indicate that Africa is still in the early stages of adoption and application of digital technologies such as blockchain and smart grids within the energy sector. The results also showed a disconnect between the policy environment and industry efforts at achieving this. The current applications as exemplified in the use cases by the three companies covered in this study indicates that Africa's sustainable energy transition is in a rudimentary or early adoption stage, and they are not currently aided by the policy environments in which such projects are domiciled. Conclusions The research provides deep insights into the current state and developments within the energy sector especially in relation to how digital technologies are being adopted and implemented in solving the energy poverty prevalent across sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Sustainable Energy Transitions: Overcoming Negative Externalities

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 312-327
Author(s):  
U. Yе. Pysmenna ◽  
G. S. Trypolska
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Sustainability Transitions ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Negative Externalities ◽  
Energy Sustainability ◽  
Biomass Waste ◽  
Energy Transitions ◽  
Wide Range

Nowadays the world energy system faces numerous transitions and shifts of the existing socio-technical regimes towards higher sustainability. Along with it, the sustainable transitions are often being postponed, slowed down or rejected to avoid negative externalities that could threaten the system stability. In this study, we aim to reach the deeper understanding of the externalities of energy transitions and the vulnerability of energy systems under the influence of negative externalities caused by sustainable energy transitions. Using the Externality theory (Baumol, Oates), Sociotechnical transition theory (Geels), as well as Energy sustainability Trilemma Method for the evaluation of the sustainability of energy systems we argue that such externalities need to be treated (internalized, avoided) by special policy measures other than common (classical) ways which may cause slowing down of sustainability transitions and make extra barriers for them. Transitions to more clean and low-carbon energy systems using energy technologies such as solar, wind, small hydro, biomass, waste management, e-vehicles are in the scope of this paper. It classifies the wide range of policy methods (classical and new) being applied separately and simultaneously, and analyses their application in energy policies designing aimed to combat negative externalities of energy sustainability transitions worldwide, so they might be minimized by properly tailored energy policy in each particular case.

Interfacial Processes in Electrochemical Energy Systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maoyu Wang ◽  
Zhenxing Feng
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Energy Storage And Conversion ◽  
Interfacial Processes ◽  
Electrochemical Energy

Electrochemical energy systems such as batteries, water electrolyzers, and fuel cells are considered as the promising and sustainable energy storage and conversion devices due to their high energy densities and...

scholarly journals Digitalisation of Energy Systems within the Context of Existing Policy Frameworks: An Assessment of Sustainable Energy Transitions in Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fortune Nwaiwu
Keyword(s):  
Smart Grids ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Use Cases ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Energy Transitions ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Policy Frameworks

Abstract BackgroundDigital technologies have unique characteristics for achieving radically disruptive transitions within the energy sector. They provide opportunities for new production and consumption models between micro producers and consumers of electricity within communities in a way that transforms the traditional energy generation and consumption model. The study critically assessed the digitalisation of energy systems in Africa within the context of existing policy frameworks in the quest to achieve sustainable energy transitions in Africa. It investigated how digital technologies such as blockchain, digital platforms and smart grids were adopted and implemented within the energy sector in achieving new energy production and consumption models that are both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive, this assessment was done within the context of existing policy and regulatory frameworks of the society where the use cases were domiciled. MethodsThe research adopted a qualitative methodological approach which was done in three stages - a document analysis that reviewed relevant literature on the energy sector and policies within the sector for Nigeria and South Africa; the next step involved a comparative case study is conducted to assess the characteristics of how digital technologies was deployed in mediating sustainable energy transitions; finally, the outcomes of the comparative case studies was then situated within the context of existing policies within the countries covered by the study ResultsResults from the research indicate that Africa is still in the early stages of adoption and application of digital technologies such as blockchain and smart grids within the energy sector, the results also showed the disconnect between policy environment and industry efforts in achieving digital technologies mediated sustainable energy transitions in Africa. The current applications as exemplified in the use cases by the three companies covered in this study indicates that Africa's sustainable energy transitions is in a rudimentary or early adoption stage, and they are not currently aided by the policy environments in which such projects are domiciled.ConclusionsThe research provides deep insights into the current state and developments within the energy sector especially in relations to how digital technologies are being adopted and implemented in solving the energy poverty prevalent across sub-Saharan Africa.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document