scholarly journals Renewable Energy Equivalent Footprint (REEF): A Method for Envisioning a Sustainable Energy Future

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 6160
Author(s):  
James Ward ◽  
Steve Mohr ◽  
Robert Costanza ◽  
Paul Sutton ◽  
Luca Coscieme
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Atmospheric Gases ◽  
Synthetic Fuels ◽  
Energy Equivalent ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Human Energy ◽  
Final Energy Demand

We present an alternative approach to estimating the spatial footprint of energy consumption, as this represents a major fraction of the ecological footprint (EF). Rather than depicting the current lack of sustainability that comes from estimating a footprint based on uptake of carbon emissions (the method used in EF accounting), our proposed “Renewable Energy Equivalent Footprint” (REEF) instead depicts a hypothetical world in which the electricity and fuel demands are met entirely from renewable energy. The analysis shows that current human energy demands could theoretically be met by renewable energy and remain within the biocapacity of one planet. However, with current technology there is no margin to leave any biocapacity for nature, leading to the investigation of two additional scenarios: (1) radical electrification of the energy supply, assuming 75% of final energy demand can be met with electricity, and (2) adopting technology in which electricity is used to convert atmospheric gases into synthetic fuel. The REEF demonstrates that a sustainable and desirable future powered by renewable energy: (i) may be possible, depending on the worldwide adoption of consumption patterns typical of several key exemplar countries; (ii) is highly dependent on major future technological development, namely electrification and synthetic fuels; and (iii) is still likely to require appropriation of a substantial, albeit hopefully sustainable, fraction of the world’s forest area.

Study of residential underfloor air distribution (UFAD) systems using a new modelling approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Cherif Megri ◽  
Yao Yu
Keyword(s):  
Energy Demand ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Air Distribution ◽  
Zone Model ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Thermal Models ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Residential House ◽  
Underfloor Air Distribution ◽  
Final Energy Demand

Although single/multi-zone thermal models have their own advantages, like simple and fast computations of building energy demand, the accuracy of these models is problematic. The assumption of a uniform room temperature reduces the accuracy of the final energy demand results. In fact, the single/multi-zone thermal models are not able to predict indoor thermal behaviours or building energy demands accurately, if a non-uniform environment in a room or building is created by a single or multiple heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, i.e. an underfloor air distribution (UFAD) system. The research described in this article investigated the use of a new approach to improve the computational quality and accuracy of the heating energy demands of UFAD systems using an integrated zonal/multi-zone model. Several case studies were carried out, and the results demonstrate not only the advantages of UFAD systems used in a residential house in terms of energy saving, but also the importance of thermostat location in the prediction of building energy consumption. Additionally, the results indicate that the conventional single/multi-zone models are not appropriate to use for UFAD systems in the building energy demand predictions.

scholarly journals Positive Energy Building Definition with the Framework, Elements and Challenges of the Concept

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 6260
Author(s):  
Mia Ala-Juusela ◽  
Hassam ur Rehman ◽  
Mari Hukkalainen ◽  
Francesco Reda
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Building Site ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Final Energy Demand ◽  
Zero Energy Buildings

Buildings account for 36% of the final energy demand and 39% of CO2 emissions worldwide. Targets for increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and reducing building related emissions is an important part of the energy policy to reach the Paris agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. While nearly zero energy buildings are the new norm in the EU, the research is advancing towards positive energy buildings, which contribute to the surrounding community by providing emission-free energy. This paper suggests a definition for positive energy building and presents the framework, elements, and challenges of the concept. In a positive energy building, the annual renewable energy production in the building site exceeds the energy demand of the building. This increases two-way interactions with energy grids, requiring a broader approach compared to zero energy buildings. The role of energy flexibility grows when the share of fluctuating renewable energy increases. The presented framework is designed with balancing two important perspectives: technical and user-centric approaches. It can be accommodated to different operational conditions, regulations, and climates. Potential challenges and opportunities are also discussed, such as the present issues in the building’s balancing boundary, electric vehicle integration, and smart readiness indicators.

scholarly journals Analysis of Energy Crisis, Energy Security and Potential of Renewable Energy: Evidence from Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-182
Author(s):  
Khalid Latif ◽  
Muhammad Yousaf Raza ◽  
Ghulam Mujtaba Chaudhary ◽  
Adeel Arshad
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Essential Feature ◽  
Energy Crisis ◽  
Social And Economic Development ◽  
Market Allocation ◽  
Final Energy Demand ◽  
Import Cost

Over the last thirty years, Asian countries have become a chief player in the worldwide scene. Pakistan is facing an acute energy disaster since last decade that impacts on social and economic development. Sustainable energy supply is an essential feature for the economic growth of any society. From the last five years, Pakistan is facing a shortfall between 4,000-5,000 megawatt. This study inspects the association between energy security, energy crisis, energy demand, energy supply, and renewable potential in Pakistan. It also evaluates the final energy demand-supply gap, provincial renewable energy distribution, sectorial distribution, and policy recommendation for future energy. For this study, we applied renewable and non-renewable energy scenarios during 2014-2035 and Market-Allocation method to prove the energy situation in Pakistan. The outcomes show that renewable resources are the best option in reducing energy risk, import cost, and enhance environmental and economic sustainability. With the objectives of our key findings, targeted suggestions and policies are given.

scholarly journals Global Transportation Demand Development with Impacts on the Energy Demand and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in a Climate-Constrained World

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 3870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siavash Khalili ◽  
Eetu Rantanen ◽  
Dmitrii Bogdanov ◽  
Christian Breyer
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Electric Vehicles ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Synthetic Fuels ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Transportation Demand ◽  
Final Energy Demand

The pivotal target of the Paris Agreement is to keep temperature rise well below 2 °C above the pre-industrial level and pursue efforts to limit temperature rise to 1.5 °C. To meet this target, all energy-consuming sectors, including the transport sector, need to be restructured. The transport sector accounted for 19% of the global final energy demand in 2015, of which the vast majority was supplied by fossil fuels (around 31,080 TWh). Fossil-fuel consumption leads to greenhouse gas emissions, which accounted for about 8260 MtCO2eq from the transport sector in 2015. This paper examines the transportation demand that can be expected and how alternative transportation technologies along with new sustainable energy sources can impact the energy demand and emissions trend in the transport sector until 2050. Battery-electric vehicles and fuel-cell electric vehicles are the two most promising technologies for the future on roads. Electric ships and airplanes for shorter distances and hydrogen-based synthetic fuels for longer distances may appear around 2030 onwards to reduce the emissions from the marine and aviation transport modes. The rail mode will remain the least energy-demanding, compared to other transport modes. An ambitious scenario for achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is applied, also demonstrating the very high relevance of direct and indirect electrification of the transport sector. Fossil-fuel demand can be reduced to zero by 2050; however, the electricity demand is projected to rise from 125 TWhel in 2015 to about 51,610 TWhel in 2050, substantially driven by indirect electricity demand for the production of synthetic fuels. While the transportation demand roughly triples from 2015 to 2050, substantial efficiency gains enable an almost stable final energy demand for the transport sector, as a consequence of broad electrification. The overall well-to-wheel efficiency in the transport sector increases from 26% in 2015 to 39% in 2050, resulting in a respective reduction of overall losses from primary energy to mechanical energy in vehicles. Power-to-fuels needed mainly for marine and aviation transport is not a significant burden for overall transport sector efficiency. The primary energy base of the transport sector switches in the next decades from fossil resources to renewable electricity, driven by higher efficiency and sustainability.

scholarly journals Techno-Economic Analysis of a Novel Hydrogen-Based Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Both Grid-Tied and Off-Grid Power Supply in Japan: The Case of Fukushima Prefecture

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoto Takatsu ◽  
Hooman Farzaneh
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Integrated Simulation ◽  
Hybrid Renewable Energy System ◽  
Renewable Energy System ◽  
Hybrid Renewable Energy

After the Great East Japan Earthquake, energy security and vulnerability have become critical issues facing the Japanese energy system. The integration of renewable energy sources to meet specific regional energy demand is a promising scenario to overcome these challenges. To this aim, this paper proposes a novel hydrogen-based hybrid renewable energy system (HRES), in which hydrogen fuel can be produced using both the methods of solar electrolysis and supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of biomass feedstock. The produced hydrogen is considered to function as an energy storage medium by storing renewable energy until the fuel cell converts it to electricity. The proposed HRES is used to meet the electricity demand load requirements for a typical household in a selected residential area located in Shinchi-machi in Fukuoka prefecture, Japan. The techno-economic assessment of deploying the proposed systems was conducted, using an integrated simulation-optimization modeling framework, considering two scenarios: (1) minimization of the total cost of the system in an off-grid mode and (2) maximization of the total profit obtained from using renewable electricity and selling surplus solar electricity to the grid, considering the feed-in-tariff (FiT) scheme in a grid-tied mode. As indicated by the model results, the proposed HRES can generate about 47.3 MWh of electricity in all scenarios, which is needed to meet the external load requirement in the selected study area. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of the system in scenarios 1 and 2 was estimated at 55.92 JPY/kWh and 56.47 JPY/kWh, respectively.

scholarly journals A Sizing Method for PV–Battery–Generator Systems for Off-Grid Applications Based on the LCOE

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1988
Author(s):  
Ioannis E. Kosmadakis ◽  
Costas Elmasides
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Optimal Number ◽  
Diesel Generator ◽  
Levelized Cost Of Electricity ◽  
Sufficient Power ◽  
Battery Energy

Electricity supply in nonelectrified areas can be covered by distributed renewable energy systems. The main disadvantage of these systems is the intermittent and often unpredictable nature of renewable energy sources. Moreover, the temporal distribution of renewable energy may not match that of energy demand. Systems that combine photovoltaic modules with electrical energy storage (EES) can eliminate the above disadvantages. However, the adoption of such solutions is often financially prohibitive. Therefore, all parameters that lead to a functionally reliable and self-sufficient power generation system should be carefully considered during the design phase of such systems. This study proposes a sizing method for off-grid electrification systems consisting of photovoltaics (PV), batteries, and a diesel generator set. The method is based on the optimal number of PV panels and battery energy capacity whilst minimizing the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for a period of 25 years. Validations against a synthesized load profile produced grid-independent systems backed by different accumulator technologies, with LCOEs ranging from 0.34 EUR/kWh to 0.46 EUR/kWh. The applied algorithm emphasizes a parameter of useful energy as a key output parameter for which the solar harvest is maximized in parallel with the minimization of the LCOE.

scholarly journals Experimental Data and Simulations of Performance and Thermal Comfort in a Typical Mediterranean House

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3311
Author(s):  
Víctor Pérez-Andreu ◽  
Carolina Aparicio-Fernández ◽  
José-Luis Vivancos ◽  
Javier Cárcel-Carrasco
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Thermal Characterization ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Dwelling House ◽  
Account Standard

The number of buildings renovated following the introduction of European energy-efficiency policy represents a small number of buildings in Spain. So, the main Spanish building stock needs an urgent energy renovation. Using passive strategies is essential, and thermal characterization and predictive tests of the energy-efficiency improvements achieving acceptable levels of comfort for their users are urgently necessary. This study analyzes the energy performance and thermal comfort of the users in a typical Mediterranean dwelling house. A transient simulation has been used to acquire the scope of Spanish standards for its energy rehabilitation, taking into account standard comfort conditions. The work is based on thermal monitoring of the building and a numerical validated model developed in TRNSYS. Energy demands for different models have been calculated considering different passive constructive measures combined with real wind site conditions and the behavior of users related to natural ventilation. This methodology has given us the necessary information to decide the best solution in relation to energy demand and facility of implementation. The thermal comfort for different models is not directly related to energy demand and has allowed checking when and where the measures need to be done.

scholarly journals Optimal Planning and Operation of a Residential Energy Community under Shared Electricity Incentives

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2045
Author(s):  
Pierpaolo Garavaso ◽  
Fabio Bignucolo ◽  
Jacopo Vivian ◽  
Giulia Alessio ◽  
Michele De Carli
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Power Distribution ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Technical Equipment ◽  
Optimal Planning

Energy communities (ECs) are becoming increasingly common entities in power distribution networks. To promote local consumption of renewable energy sources, governments are supporting members of ECs with strong incentives on shared electricity. This policy encourages investments in the residential sector for building retrofit interventions and technical equipment renovations. In this paper, a general EC is modeled as an energy hub, which is deemed as a multi-energy system where different energy carriers are converted or stored to meet the building energy needs. Following the standardized matrix modeling approach, this paper introduces a novel methodology that aims at jointly identifying both optimal investments (planning) and optimal management strategies (operation) to supply the EC’s energy demand in the most convenient way under the current economic framework and policies. Optimal planning and operating results of five refurbishment cases for a real multi-family building are found and discussed, both in terms of overall cost and environmental impact. Simulation results verify that investing in building thermal efficiency leads to progressive electrification of end uses. It is demonstrated that the combination of improvements on building envelope thermal performances, photovoltaic (PV) generation, and heat pump results to be the most convenient refurbishment investment, allowing a 28% overall cost reduction compared to the benchmark scenario. Furthermore, incentives on shared electricity prove to stimulate higher renewable energy source (RES) penetration, reaching a significant reduction of emissions due to decreased net energy import.

scholarly journals Optimising the Operation of Tidal Range Schemes

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 2870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Xue ◽  
Reza Ahmadian ◽  
Roger Falconer
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Maximum Energy ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Tidal Range ◽  
Marine Renewable Energy ◽  
Modelling Methodology ◽  
Similar Operation ◽  
Swansea Bay ◽  
The Uk

Marine renewable energy, including tidal renewable energy, is one of the less exploited sources of energy that could contribute to energy demand, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Amongst several proposals to build tidal range structure (TRS), a tidal lagoon has been proposed for construction in Swansea Bay, in the South West of the UK, but this scheme was recently rejected by the UK government due to the high electricity costs. This decision makes the optimisation of such schemes more important for the future. This study proposes various novel approaches by breaking the operation into small components to optimise the operation of TRS using a widely used 0-D modelling methodology. The approach results in a minimum 10% increase in energy output, without the inclusion of pumping, in comparison to the maximum energy output using a similar operation for all tides. This increase in energy will be approximately 25% more when pumping is included. The optimised operation schemes are used to simulate the lagoon operation using a 2-D model and the differences between the results are highlighted.

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