scholarly journals Tools for Sustainable Development of Regional Energy Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 1208-1223
Author(s):  
Lazar D. Gitelman ◽  
Vladimir V. Dobrodey ◽  
Mikhail V. Kozhevnikov
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Resource Planning ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Regional Differentiation ◽  
Improve Energy Efficiency ◽  
Regional Energy ◽  
Regional Energy Systems

Nowadays, it is relevant to consider changes in the structure of the fuel and energy balance of industrial regions and the availability of imported fuel and energy resources, especially in the areas that lack energy sources. The ongoing structural shifts in energy consumption systems and the growing uncertainty in energy markets encourage the development of tools for improving the sustainable development of regional energy systems. To refine the theoretical and methodological basis of the study, we defined its conceptual framework, described the difference s betwee n sustainabl e functionin g an d developmen t o f th e energy sector and determined the factors of its regional differentiation and manifestations of the energy crisis. Further, we identified the shortcomings of the existing methods for forecasting the demand for electricity. We paid special attention to quality factors of strategic planning in the region, in particular, the used statistics and documents. Based on the analysis of integrated resource planning (IRP) methodology, our experience in forecasting fuel and energy balances, assessment of sectoral indicators of energy efficiency and energy demand in the region, we proposed a model for predictive and analytical justification of regional programmes for energy development. Such a model significantly increases the information reliability of these programmes’ implementation. Considering organisational tools to support sustainable development, we developed a regional energy management scheme and a mechanism stimulating local energy companies to improve energy efficiency in the consumption sector, enhance regional competition and attract investments in the renewal of fixed assets. The study has practical significance due to recommendations and tools for adjusting regional energy policy based on the coordination of the predicted parameters for various participants in the energy supply process.

scholarly journals Effects of climate change on regional energy systems focussing on space heating and cooling: A case study of Austria

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 771-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Hausl ◽  
Matthias Themessl ◽  
Sabine Gadocha ◽  
Ingrid Schardinger ◽  
Markus Biberacher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Process Step ◽  
Regional Energy ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Regional Energy Systems

Climate change affects regions differently and therefore also climate change effects on energy systems need to be analyzed region specific. The objective of the study presented is to show and analyze these effects on regional energy systems following a high spatial resolution approach. Three regional climate scenarios are downscaled to a 1 km resolution and error corrected for three different testing regions in Austria. These climate data are used to analyze effects of climate change on heating and cooling demand until the year 2050. Potentials of renewable energies such as solar thermal, photovoltaic, ambient heat and biomass are also examined. In the last process step the outcomes of the previous calculations are fed into two energy system models, where energy system optimizations are executed, which provide information concerning optimal setups and operations of future energy systems. Due to changing climate strong changes for the energy demand structure are noticed; lower heat demand in winter (between -7 and -15% until 2050) and - strongly differing between regions - higher cooling demand in summer (up to +355%). Optimization results show that the composition of energy supply carriers is barely affected by climate change, since other developments such as refurbishment actions, price developments and regional biomass availabilities are more influencing within this context.

scholarly journals Effect of the Foresight Horizon on Computation Time and Results Using a Regional Energy Systems Optimization Model

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 495
Author(s):  
Jessica Thomsen ◽  
Noha Saad Hussein ◽  
Arnold Dolderer ◽  
Christoph Kost
Keyword(s):  
Computation Time ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Variable Cost ◽  
Optimization Approach ◽  
Or Efficiency ◽  
Electricity Grid ◽  
Regional Energy ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Regional Energy Systems

Due to the high complexity of detailed sector-coupling models, a perfect foresight optimization approach reaches complexity levels that either requires a reduction of covered time-steps or very long run-times. To mitigate these issues, a myopic approach with limited foresight can be used. This paper examines the influence of the foresight horizon on local energy systems using the model DISTRICT. DISTRICT is characterized by its intersectoral approach to a regionally bound energy system with a connection to the superior electricity grid level. It is shown that with the advantage of a significantly reduced run-time, a limited foresight yields fairly similar results when the input parameters show a stable development. With unexpected, shock-like events, limited foresight shows more realistic results since it cannot foresee the sudden parameter changes. In general, the limited foresight approach tends to invest into generation technologies with low variable cost and avoids investing into demand reduction or efficiency with high upfront costs as it cannot compute the benefits over the time span necessary for full cost recovery. These aspects should be considered when choosing the foresight horizon.

scholarly journals An Indicator-Based Approach for Analysing the Resilience of Transitions for Energy Regions. Part II: Empirical Application to the Case of Weiz-Gleisdorf, Austria

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romano Wyss ◽  
Susan Mühlemeier ◽  
Claudia Binder
Keyword(s):  
Path Length ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Degree Centrality ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Regional Energy ◽  
Stabilization Phase ◽  
Full Picture ◽  
Regional Energy Systems

In this paper, we apply an indicator-based approach to measure the resilience of energy regions in transition to a case study region in Austria. The indicator-based approach allows to determine the resilience of the transition of regional energy systems towards higher shares of renewables and potentially overall higher sustainability. The indicators are based on two core aspects of resilience, diversity and connectivity. Diversity is thereby operationalized by variety, disparity and balance, whereas connectivity is operationalized by average path length, degree centrality and modularity. In order to get a full picture of the resilience of the energy system at stake throughout time, we apply the measures to four distinct moments, situated in the pre-development, take-off, acceleration and stabilization phase of the transition. By contextually and theoretically embedding the insights in the broader transitions context and empirically applying the indicators to a specific case, we derive insights on (1) how to interpret the results in a regional context and (2) how to further develop the indicator-based approach for future applications.

Analysis of Energy Efficiency in China with a Slack-Based Directional Distance Function Approach

2013 ◽  
Vol 291-294 ◽  
pp. 1241-1244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Xiang Liu ◽  
Jing Luo
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Environmental Regulation ◽  
Distance Function ◽  
Central Area ◽  
Average Energy ◽  
Directional Distance Function ◽  
Function Approach ◽  
Improve Energy Efficiency ◽  
Regional Energy ◽  
Energy Conversation

It is crucial to improve China’s energy efficiency in the context of energy conversation and environmental regulation. This paper approaches the measurement of Chinese regional energy efficiency based on slack-based directional distance function from a production theoretic perspective. The results show that there exists inequality among different regions in China and the east area have the best average energy efficiency for the period 2000-2009, followed by the central area. Based on these findings, this paper correspondingly proposes some policies to improve energy efficiency in China.

scholarly journals Governing Decentral Energy Systems

2021 ◽  
pp. 159-174
Author(s):  
Peter Hettich
Keyword(s):  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Energy Markets ◽  
European Level ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Market Participants ◽  
Regional Energy ◽  
Changing Roles ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
Regional Energy Systems

AbstractAgainst the backdrop of an energy system moving from vertically integrated monopolies towards a decentral system with a multitude of actors in ever-changing roles, we observe a gradual strengthening of central governance mechanisms on the nation-state and on the European level. Such a top-down approach to the governance of the energy system might have been necessary to open up energy markets to competitive processes and innovation. With social goals shifting and security of supply and environmental concerns gaining importance, the governance of the energy system has to be reshaped anew, enabling, e.g., the optimization of regional energy systems by local actors. In particular, strict unbundling rules may hinder or preclude system-serving behavior, to the detriment of all market participants and consumers. Lawmakers and regulators should provide some leeway to cooperative approaches, such as the empowerment of local actors to devise their own energy regimes.

scholarly journals Sub-national Energy Access Planning Model for Sustainable Development Goals: A Case Study of Barpak

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-190
Author(s):  
Kshitiz Khanal ◽  
Bivek Baral
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Local Energy ◽  
Energy Access ◽  
Development Goals

As most nations have adopted the Sustainable Development agenda to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, it is vital that planning of energy systems at local, regional and national levels also align with the agenda in order to achieve the goals. This study explores the sustainability of primary energy resources of a rural community to meet growing demands of the community, in order to achieve SDGs for energy access Goal no. 7 (SDG7) at local level. Using a linear back-casting techno-economic energy access model that informs the expected change in energy demand in order to reach SDG7 targets, this study examined whether local energy resources would be enough to achieve the targets for Barpak VDC (named such at the time of data collection before Nepal’s administrative restructuring), and explored the possibility of importing electricity from national grid to attain SDG7 targets. By analyzing the outputs of the model for Barpak, we found that currently assessed local energy resources are insufficient to meet the energy access targets. Importing electricity from national grid, in addition to the mini-hydropower plant currently in operation at Barpak is needed to achieve the targets. Huge cost investment and timely expansion of transmission and distribution infrastructure is crucial. By 2030, total energy demand is expected to grow up to 50,000 Gigajoules per year. Electricity import from national grid grows steadily, reaching up to 45,000 Gigajoules in 2030. The social costs of energy will continue to be dominated by household sector till 2030, reaching up to 30 million Nepali Rupees per year in total. Use of wood as fuel, the only significant source of emission in the model is modeled to decrease linearly and stop by 2030, as required by SDGs. Emission of 17 Metric Tonnes of Carbon-dioxide and 4.5 million kg Methane equivalent is reduced to zero at 2030. This model serves as an innovative approach to integrate SDG targets to local and regional energy planning process, and can be adopted for energy systems and policy planning for various regions in Nepal.

scholarly journals Application of Rough Set Theory (RST) to Forecast Energy Consumption in Buildings Undergoing Thermal Modernization

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Szul ◽  
Stanisław Kokoszka
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Set Theory ◽  
Rough Set ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Rough Set Theory ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Simple Procedure ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Improve Energy Efficiency

In many regions, the heat used for space heating is a basic item in the energy balance of a building and significantly affects its operating costs. The accuracy of the assessment of heat consumption in an existing building and the determination of the main components of heat loss depends to a large extent on whether the energy efficiency improvement targets set in the thermal upgrading project are achieved. A frequent problem in the case of energy calculations is the lack of complete architectural and construction documentation of the analyzed objects. Therefore, there is a need to search for methods that will be suitable for a quick technical analysis of measures taken to improve energy efficiency in existing buildings. These methods should have satisfactory results in predicting energy consumption where the input is limited, inaccurate, or uncertain. Therefore, the aim of this work was to test the usefulness of a model based on Rough Set Theory (RST) for estimating the thermal energy consumption of buildings undergoing an energy renovation. The research was carried out on a group of 109 thermally improved residential buildings, for which energy performance was based on actual energy consumption before and after thermal modernization. Specific sets of important variables characterizing the examined buildings were distinguished. The groups of variables were used to estimate energy consumption in such a way as to obtain a compromise between the effort of obtaining them and the quality of the forecast. This has allowed the construction of a prediction model that allows the use of a fast, relatively simple procedure to estimate the final energy demand rate for heating buildings.

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