Economic Assessment of Climate, Energy and Air Quality Policies in the EU with the GEM-E3 Model: An Overview

2016 ◽  
pp. 207-245
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
The Eu

scholarly journals Techno-Economic Assessment of Coal-Fired Power Unit Decarbonization Retrofit with KP-FHR Small Modular Reactors

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2557
Author(s):  
Łukasz Bartela ◽  
Paweł Gładysz ◽  
Charalampos Andreades ◽  
Staffan Qvist ◽  
Janusz Zdeb
Keyword(s):  
Net Present Value ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Plant Design ◽  
Term Operation ◽  
Small Modular Reactors ◽  
Greenfield Investments ◽  
Unit Design ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Economic Analyses ◽  
The Eu

The near and mid-term future of the existing Polish coal-fired power fleet is uncertain. The longer-term operation of unabated coal power is incompatible with climate policy and is economically challenging because of the increasing price of CO2 emission allowances in the EU. The results of the techno-economic analysis presented in this paper indicate that the retrofit of existing coal-fired units, by means of replacing coal-fired boilers with small modular reactors, may be an interesting option for the Polish energy sector. It has been shown that the retrofit can reduce the costs in relation to greenfield investments by as much as 35%. This analysis focuses on the repowering of a 460 MW supercritical coal-fired unit based on the Łagisza power plant design with high temperature small modular nuclear reactors based on the 320 MWth unit design by Kairos Power. The technical analyses did not show any major difficulties in integrating. The economic analyses show that the proposed retrofits can be economically justified, and, in this respect, they are more advantageous than greenfield investments. For the base economic scenario, the difference in NPV (Net Present Value) is more favorable for the retrofit by 556.9 M€ and the discounted payback period for this pathway is 10 years.

scholarly journals Exploring the potential for “urban air quality transition management” in the EU – lessons from the City of Aachen (Germany)

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Szabo-Müller
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Urban Air Quality ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Urban Air ◽  
Transition Management ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Science Field ◽  
The City ◽  
The Eu

AbstractAir pollution is one of the most important global sustainability and health challenges. In response to this, the European Union (EU) initiated with its Directive 2008/50/EC a new era of (urban) air quality management (UAQM) and introduced air quality plans and short term action plans as major formal planning instruments. However, these efforts still fail to achieve their target. Independently, sustainability transitions research emerged as a major science field, suggesting urban transition management (UTM) as an effective governance and planning approach for steering transformative urban change. Hence, the overall query this paper puts forward is, whether UAQM could be enhanced by UTM? This leads to an empirical and a conceptual question: 1) How transformative is current UAQM, i.e. how does it contribute to a transition process? 2) How could UAQM and UTM be combined to create an ‘urban air quality transition management’? Drawing on a conceptual discussion of both frameworks, an explorative case study of UAQM in the EU and the City of Aachen (Germany) reveals that UAQM and UTM seem to have many similarities at a superficial level, but differ significantly in detail. They are mostly complementary because each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses, so that neither of them could achieve the targeted transition alone. Future research should therefore focus on comparative transformative research in ‘urban air quality transition management labs’ to develop integrated approaches. Policy should both legally facilitate such experiments and deliver sufficient funding for enhanced UAQM in general.

Particulate Matter in Ambient Air

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 278-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reinhold Görgen ◽  
Udo Lambrecht
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Limit Value ◽  
European Institutions ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Time Extension ◽  
The Eu

AbstractNumerous studies have demonstrated the negative effect of particulate matter on human health. The EU therefore introduced ambitious limit values for particulate matter (PM10) in ambient air as early as 1999: an annual limit and a daily limit that can be exceeded on up to 35 days a year. These values are binding since 2005. The daily limit is still exceeded in many cities throughout Europe. Heated debates on the future of the daily limit are taking place at all levels of the EU in the context of the negotiations on the Commission's proposal on a new Air Quality Directive. Suggestions range from allowing a compliance time extension to increasing the number of days the daily limit can be exceeded, and abolition of the daily limit value. The deliberations have not yet been concluded, but the decisive European institutions have voiced support for keeping the daily limit while at the same time extending the compliance deadline. In this article, we will make the point that the problem can most probably be solved by allowing a compliance extension of around 5 years after the new directive enters into force. This would give the competent local authorities and the EU the time necessary to intensify their measures in order to comply with the daily limit in most areas where it is currently exceeded. An increase in the number of days the limit values may be exceeded, as called for by the European Parliament (EP), would therefore amount to an unnecessary lowering of the limit value.

Evaluation of new model tools for meeting the targets of the EU Air Quality Directive: a case study on the studded tyre use in Sweden

2011 ◽  
Vol 47 (1/2/3/4) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunnar Omstedt ◽  
Stefan Andersson ◽  
Lars Gidhagen ◽  
Lennart Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
New Model ◽  
The Eu

scholarly journals Improving Health through Green Deal and Climate Pact (motivation for WB Region)

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Jevtic ◽  
C Belis ◽  
C Bouland
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Soil Pollution ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Common Interest ◽  
Carbon Neutrality ◽  
Transboundary Air Pollution ◽  
Water And Soil Pollution ◽  
The Eu

Abstract The WB Green Agenda (WB GA) aims to implement the GD principles in this region and has defined five priority areas: climate, energy, mobility; circular economy, pollution reduction, sustainable agricultural and food production, and biodiversity. Some of the WB GA goals are strongly related to health: e.g. the continent's carbon neutrality by 2050, the ambitious climate policy, the reform of energy and transport sectors. The launch of the EU CP is an important opportunity for the WB to promote action in this area. For instance, promoting energy efficiency and supporting building renovation are directly related to the quality of life and hygiene of housing. Reduction or cancellation of coal subsidies as well as the region's withdrawal from the use of coal is of great importance for reducing externalities. In the WB, citizens are concerned about their health due to air, water and soil pollution and their reduction is in the common interest. To that end, it is necessary, inter alia, to: ratify the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution and its protocols in each of the WB economies; to implement air quality strategies; and to strengthen air quality monitoring systems (and network accreditation). Appropriate processes are needed to reduce water and soil pollution, as well as to ensure the transformation of the agricultural sector. It is also necessary to harmonize the agricultural and food sector with EU standards for food safety, plant and animal health and environmental protection. To achieve the WB GA goals it is important to develop policy strategies based on the most up-to-date scientific studies for this region (JRC, 2020). On the basis of the analysis presented in this study we conclude that the processes associated with the GD and the CP will be of benefit for both individual and public health in the EU and in the WB.

scholarly journals Research on the effectiveness of alternative propulsion sources in high-tonnage cargo transport

2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-273
Author(s):  
Mariusz Wasiak ◽  
Piotr Zdanowicz ◽  
Marcin Nivette
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Exhaust Emission ◽  
Emission Standard ◽  
The Eu

The progressive degradation of the environment makes implementing pro-ecological solutions in various areas of our lives more meaningful. These measures also apply to transport, responsible for around 30% of total carbon dioxide emissions in the EU. Implementing ecological solutions in road transport encounters various barriers resulting mainly from the specificity of transport tasks. One of the most promising solutions in the high-tonnage road transport sector seems to be LNG-fueled engines, which allow for similar operating conditions to traditional combustion vehicles. The article aims to identify the environmental benefits of the use of high-tonnage LNG-fueled vehicles in freight transport and to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the economic efficiency of this solution. The article assesses the effectiveness of using an LNG-fueled vehicle and a diesel-fueled vehicle that meets the highest exhaust emission standard in high-tonnage transport, both in terms of economy and an impact of these solutions on the environment. The research was carried out on a given route, taking into account variants of vehicle manning and simulations of transport cycle time. In conclusion, a discussion of the obtained results was carried out, emphasizing the factors determining the profitability of using high-tonnage vehicles with LNG drive or its lack. Regardless of the indicated lack of clarity in the economic assessment of the effectiveness of LNG drives in high-tonnage vehicles, the identified environmental benefits from implementing these solutions seem to be quite unequivocal. Thus, it should be expected that in the event of loss of economic competitiveness of these solutions, appropriate fiscal instruments should be used - especially since LNG drives in the policies of individual countries are considered pro-ecological solutions.

scholarly journals Urban Population Exposure to Air Pollution in Europe Over the Last Decades

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Sicard ◽  
Evgenios Agathokleous ◽  
Alessandra De Marco ◽  
Elena Paoletti ◽  
Vicent Calatayud
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Population ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
World Health ◽  
Population Exposure ◽  
Ambient Air Quality ◽  
Air Quality Standards ◽  
The Eu

Abstract Background - The paper presents an overview of air quality in the 27 member countries of the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (previous EU-28), from 2000 to 2017. We reviewed the progress made towards meeting the air quality standards established by the EU Ambient Air Quality Directives (Directive 2008/50/EC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines by estimating the trends (Mann-Kendal test) in national emissions of main air pollutants, urban population exposure to air pollution, and in mortality related to exposure to ambient fine particles (PM2.5) and tropospheric ozone (O3). Results - Despite significant reductions of emissions (e.g. sulfur oxides: ~80%, nitrogen oxides: ~46%, non-methane volatile organic compounds: ~44%, particulate matters with a diameter lower than 2.5µm and 10µm: ~30%), the EU-28 urban population was exposed to PM2.5 and O3 levels widely exceeding the WHO limit values for the protection of human health. Between 2000 and 2017, the annual PM2.5-related number of deaths decreased (- 4.85 per 106 inhabitants) in line with a reduction of PM2.5 levels observed at urban air quality monitoring stations. The rising O3 levels became a major public health issue in the EU-28 cities where the annual O3-related number of premature deaths increased (+ 0.55 deaths per 106 inhabitants). Conclusions - To achieve the objectives of the Ambient Air Quality Directives and mitigate air pollution impacts, actions need to be urgently taken at all governance levels. In this context, greening and re‐naturing cities can help meet air quality standards, but also answer to social needs, as recently highlighted by the COVID-19 lockdowns.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal variability of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution in Manchester (UK) city centre (2017–2018) using a fine spatial scale single-NOx diffusion tube network

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Niepsch ◽  
Leon J. Clarke ◽  
Konstantinos Tzoulas ◽  
Gina Cavan
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Nitrogen Dioxide ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Air Quality Monitoring ◽  
Limit Value ◽  
Air Quality Monitoring Stations ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Diffusion Tube ◽  
Monitoring Stations

AbstractNitrogen dioxide (NO2) is linked to poor air quality and severe human health impacts, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and being responsible annually for approximately 23,500 premature deaths in the UK. Automated air quality monitoring stations continuously record pollutants in urban environments but are restricted in number (need for electricity, maintenance and trained operators), only record air quality proximal to their location and cannot document variability of airborne pollutants at finer spatial scales. As an alternative, passive sampling devices such as Palmes-type diffusion tubes can be used to assess the spatial variability of air quality in greater detail, due to their simplicity (e.g. small, light material, no electricity required) and suitability for long-term studies (e.g. deployable in large numbers, useful for screening studies). Accordingly, a one passive diffusion tube sampling approach has been adapted to investigate spatial and temporal variability of NO2 concentrations across the City of Manchester (UK). Spatial and temporal detail was obtained by sampling 45 locations over a 12-month period (361 days, to include seasonal variability), resulting in 1080 individual NO2 measurements. Elevated NO2 concentrations, exceeding the EU/UK limit value of 40 µg m−3, were recorded throughout the study period (N = 278; 26% of individual measurements), particularly during colder months and across a wide area including residential locations. Of 45 sampling locations, 24% (N = 11) showed annual average NO2 above the EU/UK limit value, whereas 16% (N = 7) showed elevated NO2 (> 40 µg m−3) for at least 6 months of deployment. Highest NO2 was recorded in proximity of highly trafficked major roads, with urban factors such as surrounding building heights also influencing NO2 dispersion and distribution. This study demonstrates the importance of high spatial coverage to monitor atmospheric NO2 concentrations across urban environments, to aid identification of areas of human health concern, especially in areas that are not covered by automated monitoring stations. This simple, reasonably cheap, quick and easy method, using a single-NOx diffusion tube approach, can aid identification of NO2 hotspots and provides fine spatial detail of deteriorated air quality. Such an approach can be easily transferred to comparable urban environments to provide an initial screening tool for air quality and air pollution, particularly where local automated air quality monitoring stations are limited. Additionally, such an approach can support air quality assessment studies, e.g. lichen or moss biomonitoring studies.

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