scholarly journals Energy, Climate Changes, COVID-19: Romanian answers

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67
Author(s):  
Mirela Danubianu ◽  
Cristian Teodorescu
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Energy Market ◽  
Electric Cars ◽  
Diesel Vehicles ◽  
Strategic Initiatives ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Change Concerns ◽  
The Eu

The EU's energy and climate change concerns have materialized in the last years in launching 2020-2030 strategic initiatives. The Plan Up project seeks to monitor this area. Each EU member must implement its own plan (NECP) structured on 5 main dimensions: energy security, decarbonization, energy efficiency, internal energy market, research-innovation-competitiveness. Romania is committed to reducing CO2 emissions by over 43%, to increasing energy efficiency by over 37% and to promote renewable energy to reach approx. 28% of the portfolio (97% for the rail transport sector). The impact of COVID-19 must be immediately included in the NECP and seen as an opportunity and the NECP, adapted accordingly. The paper presents this Project and the potential Romanian contribution in the Transport Sector, a sector currently in a massive reorientation (electric cars, encouraging public transport, anti-Diesel offensive, etc.) and the most severely affected by COVID-19. The vast Romanian experience in the use of dimethyl-ether (DME) as an ecological substitute for diesel is presented, which would dramatically reduce the need for investments in the conversion of the current fleet of diesel vehicles. DME is also as a C3-C4 fraction substitute (CFC), in sprays, refrigerant agent in refrigerators, etc. Examples of applications of the proposed solution are given (USA, Scandinavia). The advantages of DME would be that it can be synthesized from renewable sources (municipal, agricultural waste), thus adding value to waste and improving the energy resources balance of Romania and the EU. The paper also seeks an objective critique of the (not so-)miracle solution of electromobility.

European transport industry deregulation

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (9) ◽  
pp. 1095-1115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis Koliousis ◽  
Dongmei Cao ◽  
Panagiotis Koliousis
Keyword(s):  
Transport Sector ◽  
Operating Efficiency ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Member States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Efficiency ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Transport Industry ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

Purpose This paper aims to examine the impact of deregulation on the European transport industry in the form of privatization, on the managerial efficiency of a panel of deregulated transport companies. Design/methodology/approach This research examines a data set of 25 deregulated transport companies from a sample of 12 EU nations from 1988 to 2015. Some studies have analyzed deregulation by using non-parametric models. However, only a limited number of studies focus on the impact of deregulation on the managerial efficiency. This study answers two questions: whether deregulation, in the form of privatization, in the transport sector has any effect on the managerial efficiency, on the profitability and on the investment decisions of the firm, and whether this premise is robust enough across the European transport industry. This study formulates a multivariate regression framework utilizing data from major privatized European transport companies. The final panel includes 25 companies, from 12 EU - Member States for the period 1988-2015, equaling 375 firm-year observations based on a rigorous selection methodology. Findings The study confirms that transport companies, post-privatization, are more efficient regarding operating efficiency and profitability. The authors find no evidence that deregulation improves investment efficiency. Social implications The study addresses the regulators’ dilemma, whether to deregulate, by focusing on analyzing the improvement of the managerial efficiency. Originality/value This study contributes to the transport industry management literature in three ways. First, the authors update the literature of the economic theory of regulation with an empirical examination which covers the latest years across the EU Member States. Second, the authors introduce a comparison of the effects of deregulation on different components of the managerial efficiency, namely, investment, profitability and operating efficiency of the incumbents in the EU transport industry. Third, they examine deregulation by using two approaches: a traditional one where deregulation is a dummy variable assessing the overall effect on incumbents’ efficiency performance; and a novel approach where the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s deregulation index is used to measure the regulation intensity, accounting also for industry-wide impact assessment. This two-sided approach increases the robustness of the results.

The Impossible Transplant of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme: The Challenge of Energy Market Regulation

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anatole Boute
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Emissions Trading ◽  
Energy Market ◽  
Market Regulation ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Emissions Trading Scheme ◽  
Trading Scheme ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

AbstractFollowing the European Union (EU) experience, an increasing number of countries are establishing an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The EU ETS often serves as a ‘model’ despite fundamental differences in the receiving environment. In the EU liberalized energy markets, carbon prices are intended to raise the cost of carbon-intensive energy and thereby stimulate cleaner alternatives. In contrast, many emerging economies continue to regulate energy investments and prices, which may insulate consumers and producers from the impact of an ETS. To avoid this risk, energy economists advocate EU-style energy market reforms as a prerequisite to the introduction of the ETS concept abroad. By focusing on the cases of China, Kazakhstan, and Russia, this article highlights the limits on the exportation of the EU liberalization model and argues that, instead of energy reform, the ETS must be reconceptualized as a mechanism that integrates the regulated energy market paradigm in emerging economies.

scholarly journals Economic-Engineering Modelling of the Buildings Sector to Study the Transition towards Deep Decarbonisation in the EU

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 2745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fotiou ◽  
Vita ◽  
Capros
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Electric Heating ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Mathematical Framework ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

The paper presents a newly developed economic-engineering model of the buildings sector and its implementation for all the European Union (EU) Member States (MS), designed to study in detail ambitious energy efficiency strategies and policies, in the context of deep decarbonisation in the long term. The model has been used to support the impact assessment study that accompanied the European Commission’s communication “A Clear Planet for All”, in November 2018. The model covers all EU countries with a fine resolution of building types, and represents agent decision-making in a complex and dynamic economic-engineering mathematical framework. Emphasis is given to behaviours driving the energy renovation of buildings and the ensuing choice of equipment for heating and cooling. The model represents several market and non-market policies that can influence energy decisions in buildings and promote deep energy renovation. Moreover, the paper presents key applications for supporting policies targeting ambitious reduction of energy consumption and carbon emissions in buildings across Europe. The results illustrate that the achievement of ambitious energy-efficiency targets in the long-term heavily depends on pursuing a fast and extensive renovation of existing buildings, at annual rates between 1.21% and 1.77% for the residential sector and between 0.92% to 1.35% for the services sector. In both cases, the renovation rates are far higher past trends. Strong policies aimed at removing non-market barriers are deemed necessary. Electrification constitutes a reasonable choice for deeply renovated buildings and, as a result, almost 50% of households chooses electric heating over gas heating in the long term. However, heat pumps need to exploit further their learning potential to be economical and implementable for the various climatic conditions in Europe. The results also show that the cost impacts are modest even if renovation and decarbonisation in buildings develop ambitiously in the EU. The reduced energy bills due to energy savings can almost offset the increasing capital expenditures. Fundraising difficulties and the cost of capital are, however, of concern.

Electric cars or high-efficiency transport networks?

2010 ◽  
pp. 13-29
Author(s):  
Andrea Molocchi
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Average Energy ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
External Costs ◽  
Electric Cars ◽  
Transport Modes

The main drivers of the electric cars diffusion which is projected in the next decade are to be seen in the industry effort to create new spaces in mature car markets (supply side), and in demand side effects of current climate mitigation policies in the transport sector, focused on CO2 emissions and energy efficiency of new vehicles sold. Indeed the energy performances of electric vehicles are projected to be highly variable; the final results of fleet average comparisons with internal combustion engines vehicles will be affected by at least: a) the real energy efficiency of the EV models (in particu- lar by their weight), b) the battery efficiency rate; c) the average energy losses of the national grids, and d) the national thermoelectric generation efficiency. For example, if sensitivity analysis on Germany or USA power plants efficiencies is undergone, EV primary energy consumptions result to be respectively +8% and +30% higher than conventional ICE cars. Moreover, EV credentials in terms of transport external costs reduction are very poor, particularly for congestion. If we look at research results comparing the external costs of different transport modes, high net benefits may be alternatively seen in public transport and rail based mobility (and also in short sea shipping for certain freight transport types) either in terms of energy efficiency and external costs reduction. An EU27 wide transport indicator based analysis is provided in chapter 4 to better highlight this "structural" additional driver of transport external costs, which has strictly little to do with vehicle level efficiency, rather it represents an efficiency in urban planning and infrastructural planning: a "system" efficiency in providing availability and access to highly energy efficient transport modes and services. In the final chapter recommendations for transport and energy European policies are provided, starting from a target setting based on external costs indicators (capturing also and not exclusively the energy efficiency and savings potential offered by transport infrastructures and vehicles), followed by an urgently needed Long term Action plan for railways networks and intermodality development. As to EVs, it is recommended to regulate them under an extension of the current EU CO2/km average target approach, by setting a common (final) energy consumption efficiency standard for all car innovations. Public funds collected from external costs road charging may be better concentrated by EU and Member States on this infrastructural Action Plan rather than on urban electricity grids for EVs.

scholarly journals Transport Sector Impacts of a Border between Ireland and Northern Ireland after a Hard Brexit

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Khaoula Morchid ◽  
Margaret O’Mahony
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Border Crossings ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Processing Times ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

More than half of British voters chose to leave the European Union (EU) leading to a series of negotiations between the United Kingdom and the EU. The withdrawal of the UK from the EU is widely referred to as Brexit. As the only country that shares a land border with the UK, the impact of Brexit on Ireland is expected to be greater than on any other European country. The objective of the research is to evaluate the potential impact of Brexit on the transport sector in Ireland at a micro level by focusing on cross‐border commuters and by also assessing the impact on road freight transport. Potential crossing scenarios are examined at six crossing locations. Assuming a hard border is implemented, each crossing is modelled in VISSIM, a microscopic traffic flow simulation software, using traffic data from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and dwell time estimated based on the US–Canada border crossings. Six scenarios are considered to determine the impact on cross‐border traffic at different flow conditions and with varying levels of technology used in border infrastructure leading to short versus long processing times. The paper evaluates travel measures including delays, queue lengths and emissions. The worst‐case scenario has a vehicle delay of 18.4 min and the highest delay‐associated costs across all locations modelled are estimated at €60.7 million per year. Estimated emissions generated at the border crossings raise concerns about environmental impacts of a hard Brexit. Interviews with stakeholders emphasized the critical role of technology in reducing the impact of a hard Brexit on cross‐border commuters and on the freight sector. A key finding is the importance of using technology tools to facilitate controls and reduce processing times. The results indicate that technology use leads to significant time and cost savings as well as reduced environmental impacts.

scholarly journals Perspectives and Problems of Harmonizing Energy Legislation of Ukraine with the European Union Standards

ECONOMICS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-46
Author(s):  
Komelina Olha Volodymyrivna ◽  
Shcherbinina Svitlana Adamivna
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Energy Market ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Eu

Summary Essence, features and components of the energy market was investigated in the article. Regulatory support of energy efficiency and energy saving in the European Union and Ukraine was analyzed. Ukraine obligations due to the harmonization of the energy legislation with the EU standards were defined. Problems in the housing and communal services (HCS) as one of the largest consumers of energy resources were revealed.

Energy security and implementation of renewable energy in the European Union

2020 ◽  
pp. 139-145
Author(s):  
Magdalena Tkaczyk
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Gradual Reduction ◽  
Global Challenges ◽  
Climate Crisis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

In the light of the deepening climate crisis and global challenges, the issue of energy security is discussed more broadly. The growing fears of the European Union characterised as a region that is highly dependent on energy import from non-EU countries, lead to the modernisation of the European energy sector. The EU is actively promoting the implementation of renewable energy and investments in a sustainable economyto ensure energy security. In this essay, the author analyses a research on the impact of renewable energy efficiency on the gradual reduction of dependence on energy supplies, that was carried out by Turkish scientists, F. Gökgöz and M.T. Güvercin, in 2018. In order to obtain a comprehensive perspective on this issue, the author confronts this publication with other scientific articles in the field of EU energy security.

Total Cost of Ownership Analysis of the Impact of Vehicle Usage on the Economic Viability of Electric Vehicles in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 2674 (11) ◽  
pp. 563-572
Author(s):  
Parveen Kumar ◽  
Subrata Chakrabarty
Keyword(s):  
Electric Vehicles ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Total Cost Of Ownership ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Electric Cars ◽  
Cost Of Ownership ◽  
The Impact

The road transport sector in India is on the cusp of a transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from internal combustion engines (ICEs). Government of India (GoI) has announced several policy measures to push the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). However, EVs involve a high capital cost but lower operating costs. Therefore, the economics of EVs vis-à-vis ICE vehicles depends on the extent of their daily use. The daily use, in turn, can vary significantly from context to context. In this paper, a model to compare the total cost of ownership (TCO) of an EV with different fuel variants (petrol, diesel, and compressed natural gas [CNG]) of their ICE counterparts is presented. It is found that, on an average, the TCO per km of electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws) and electric three-wheelers (e-3Ws) is less than their ICE counterparts at the typical average daily usage of the vehicles in Indian cities. In the case of hatchback and sedan cars, the TCO per km of electric cars (e-cars) is higher than their ICE counterparts. The TCO per km of electric bus (e-bus) is higher than diesel and CNG buses because of high initial purchase cost. Policymakers need to explore innovative business models and strategy for high vehicle utilization to improve the economic viability of EVs. Efficient planning of charging infrastructure and fast charging options will further help in accelerating the adoption of EVs in India.

scholarly journals Analysis of the EU Residential Energy Consumption: Trends and Determinants

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Tsemekidi Tzeiranaki ◽  
Paolo Bertoldi ◽  
Francesca Diluiso ◽  
Luca Castellazzi ◽  
Marina Economidou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Complex Dynamics ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Residential Energy ◽  
Residential Energy Consumption ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

This article analyses the status and trends of the European Union (EU) residential energy consumption in light of the energy consumption targets set by the EU 2020 and 2030 energy and climate strategies. It assesses the energy efficiency progress from 2000 to 2016, using the official Eurostat data. In 2016, the residential energy consumption amounted to 25.71% of the EU’s final energy consumption, representing the second largest consuming sector after transport. Consumption-related data are discussed together with data on some main energy efficiency policies and energy consumption determinants, such as economic and population growth, weather conditions, and household and building characteristics. Indicators are identified to show the impact of specific determinants on energy consumption and a new indicator is proposed, drawing a closer link between energy trends and policy and technological changes in the sector. The analysis of these determinants highlights the complex dynamics behind the demand of energy in the residential sector. Decomposition analysis is carried out using the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index technique to provide a more complete picture of the impact of various determinants (population, wealth, intensity, and weather) on the latest EU-28 residential energy consumption trends. The article provides a better understanding of the EU residential energy consumption, its drivers, the impact of current policies, and recommendations on future policies.

scholarly journals The future of Sustainable Biofuels towards the 2°C target: forecasting process, technologies and sector demands

2021 ◽  
Vol 238 ◽  
pp. 08002
Author(s):  
David Chiaramonti ◽  
Giacomo Talluri
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Passenger Cars ◽  
The Road ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

Introducing sustainable fuels in the different transport fields in the EU is a very challenging goal, but also a clear priority in the EU decarbonization strategy. In fact, the transport sector is extremely rigid and regulated, with consolidated norms and standards and well-defined economics. Adding more oxygenated components to the fuel mix is also limited by the so-called blend-wall: thus, the share of renewable drop-in hydrocarbons has been recently growing worldwide and in the European Union. However, as a large part of these relates to lipids, the supply of sustainable feedstock has become the major critical element of the value chain. Fast-growing demand from new sectors as Aviation also emerged, that together with Heavy Duty and Maritime represent the focus of the EC strategy, complementary to the electrification of the road transport, passenger cars and light duty vehicles. Introducing innovative processes at full commercial scale requires to overcome the Mountain of Death of processes, where the bankability of not yet demonstrated technologies is the core problem. This work addresses the impact of the EU policy scenario, depicting the status of the different process and technologies, both Bio-based and Recycled Carbon, on the Mountain of Death.

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