scholarly journals Zero-Emission Pathway for the Global Chemical and Petrochemical Sector

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3772
Author(s):  
Deger Saygin ◽  
Dolf Gielen
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Product Life Cycle ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Carbon Accounting ◽  
Reference Case ◽  
Emission Pathway ◽  
Product Demand ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

The chemical and petrochemical sector relies on fossil fuels and feedstocks, and is a major source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The techno-economic potential of 20 decarbonisation options is assessed. While previous analyses focus on the production processes, this analysis covers the full product life cycle CO2 emissions. The analysis elaborates the carbon accounting complexity that results from the non-energy use of fossil fuels, and highlights the importance of strategies that consider the carbon stored in synthetic organic products—an aspect that warrants more attention in long-term energy scenarios and strategies. Average mitigation costs in the sector would amount to 64 United States dollars (USD) per tonne of CO2 for full decarbonisation in 2050. The rapidly declining renewables cost is one main cause for this low-cost estimate. Renewable energy supply solutions, in combination with electrification, account for 40% of total emissions reductions. Annual biomass use grows to 1.3 gigatonnes; green hydrogen electrolyser capacity grows to 2435 gigawatts and recycling rates increase six-fold, while product demand is reduced by a third, compared to the reference case. CO2 capture, storage and use equals 30% of the total decarbonisation effort (1.49 gigatonnes per year), where about one-third of the captured CO2 is of biogenic origin. Circular economy concepts, including recycling, account for 16%, while energy efficiency accounts for 12% of the decarbonisation needed. Achieving full decarbonisation in this sector will increase energy and feedstock costs by more than 35%. The analysis shows the importance of renewables-based solutions, accounting for more than half of the total emissions reduction potential, which was higher than previous estimates.

scholarly journals Energy, Emissions and the Economy: Empirical Analysis from Pakistan

2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (4II) ◽  
pp. 383-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Tariq Mahmood ◽  
Sadaf Shahab
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Kuznets Curve ◽  
Bounds Testing ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Energy Emissions ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

It is now an established fact that the most important environmental problem of our era is global warming.1 The rising quantity of worldwide carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions seems to be escalating this problem. As the emissions generally result from consumption of fossil fuels, decreasing energy spending seems to be the direct way of handling the emissions problem. However, because of the possible negative impacts on economic growth, cutting the energy utilisation is likely to be the “less preferred road”. Moreover, if the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis applies to the emissions and income link, economic growth by itself may become a solution to the problem of environmental degradation [Rothman and de Bruyn (1998)]. Coondoo and Dinda (2002), however, argue that both developing and developed economies must sacrifice economic growth. Still, countries may opt for different policies to fight global environmental problems, mainly depending on the type of relationship between CO2 emissions, income, and energy consumption over the long run [Soytas and Sari (2006)]. Hence, the emissions-energy-income nexus needs to be studied carefully and in detail for every economy, but more so for the developing countries. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between energy consumption, CO2 emissions and the economy in Pakistan from a long run perspective, in a multivariate framework controlling for gross fixed capital, labour and exports by employing ARDL bounds testing approach.

Rethinking Energy at the Crossroads

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Araújo
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy Estimates ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Fuel Prices ◽  
New Energy ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

The discovery of oil in Pennsylvania in 1859 was a relatively inconspicuous precursor to what would become an epic shift into the modern age of energy. At the time, the search for “rock oil” was driven by a perception that lighting fuel was running out. Advances in petrochemical refining and internal combustion engines had yet to occur, and oil was more expensive than coal. In less than 100 years, oil gained worldwide prominence as an energy source and traded commodity. Along similar lines, electricity in the early 1900s powered less than 10% of the homes in the United States. Yet, in under a half a century, billions of homes around the world were equipped to utilize the refined form of energy. Estimates indicate that roughly 85% of the world’s population had access to electricity in 2014 (World Bank, n.d.b). For both petroleum and electricity, significant changes in energy use and associated technologies were closely linked to evolutions in infrastructure, institutions, investment, and practices. Today, countless decision-makers are focusing on transforming energy systems from fossil fuels to low carbon energy which is widely deemed to be a cleaner, more sustainable form of energy. As of 2016, 176 countries have renewable energy targets in place, compared to 43 in 2005 (Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century [REN21], 2017). Many jurisdictions are also setting increasingly ambitious targets for 100% renewable energy or electricity (Bloomberg New Energy Finance [BNEF], 2016). In 2015, the G7 and G20 committed to accelerate the provision of access to renewables and efficiency (REN21, 2016). In conjunction with all of the above priorities, clean energy investment surged in 2015 to a new record of $329 billion, despite low, fossil fuel prices. A significant “decoupling” of economic and carbon dioxide (CO2) growth was also evident, due in part to China’s increased use of renewable energy and efforts by member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to foster greater use of renewables and efficiency (REN21, 2016).

scholarly journals Comprehensive Evaluation of a Landscape Fabric Based Solar Air Heater in a Pig Nursery

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (21) ◽  
pp. 7258
Author(s):  
Li Yu ◽  
Sanjay B. Shah ◽  
Mark T. Knauer ◽  
Michael D. Boyette ◽  
Larry F. Stikeleather
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Solar Air Heater ◽  
Suction Velocity ◽  
Air Heater ◽  
Pig Performance ◽  
Change Material

Supplementing fossil fuels with solar air tempering for brooding young livestock could reduce energy use and improve indoor air quality. Metal transpired solar collectors (TSC) are effective but too expensive for heating livestock buildings. An inexpensive 12.7 m2 dark grey landscape-fabric-based transpired solar collector (fTSC) was evaluated in a swine nursery with two herds of pigs. A fraction of the fTSC area was underlain with phase change material (PCM) to store excess heat. The Test room with the fTSC was compared with an adjacent identical Control room, each with 120 piglets. The fTSC provided supplemental heating, e.g., with a suction velocity (Vs) of 0.027 m/s during a 9 h period, air temperature was increased by 11.6 °C (mean irradiance of 592 W/m2). Between 4 pm and 9 pm that same day, the PCM increased air temperature by 3.9 °C. The fTSC did not reduce propane use or improve pig performance. Higher Vs, operational changes and controller modifications could improve system performance and reduce cost. Modeling could be used to optimize PCM use. Hence, this very low-cost fabric-based solar air heater offers potential for considerable reduction in heat energy use in livestock barns.

Auditing and monitoring to enhance energy efficiency (AGBAR experience)

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-282
Author(s):  
J. A. Imbernon ◽  
X. Aldea ◽  
B. Usquin ◽  
D. Marin
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Energetic Cost ◽  
Water Utility ◽  
Utility Company ◽  
Energy Auditing ◽  
Reduce Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

The changing global energy environment which promotes efficiency in energy use and production as well as the use of renewable energies has led to the need for appropriate methodologies and tools in order to manage energy more efficiently. The objective of this paper is to describe the methodology and tools developed and implemented by Aqualogy (a subsidiary company of the AGBAR water utility company, specialised in technology) in order to improve energetic performance and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from water facilities. The methodology combines energy auditing with an energy consumption monitoring plan. Some tools have been developed in this field in order to support decision-making, such as those regarding tariff optimisation, and prediction of equipment anomalies that could lead to an increase in energy consumption. Using the tool CAFCA, a carbon footprint calculator specifically for the water cycle, it is possible to report greenhouse gases emissions and to quantify savings in CO2 emissions. By applying this methodology to 21.7% of AGBAR's facilities we have been able to observe a reduction of 3% audited energy, which means 6% of the facilities' energetic cost.

scholarly journals Reduction of CO2 Emissions Due to Energy Use in Crete-Greece

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Vourdoubas
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Heating Oil ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Reduction Of Co2 ◽  
Negative Growth

Use of fossil fuels in modern societies results in CO2 emissions which, together with other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, increase environmental degradation and climate changes. Carbon dioxide emissions in a society are strongly related with energy consumption and economic growth, being influenced also from energy intensity, population growth, crude oil and CO2 prices as well as the composition of energy mix and the percentage of renewable energies in it.The last years in Greece, the severe economic crisis has affected all sectors of the economy, has reduced the available income of the citizens and has changed the consumers’ behavior including the consumption of energy in all the activities. Analysis of the available data in the region of Crete over the period 2007-2013 has shown a significant decrease of energy consumption and CO2 emissions due to energy use by 25.90% compared with the reduction of national G.D.P. per capita over the same period by 25.45% indicating the coupling of those emissions with the negative growth of the economy. Carbon dioxide emissions per capita in Crete in 2013 are estimated at 4.96 tons. Main contributors of those emissions in the same year were electricity generation from fuel and heating oil by 64.85%, heating sector by 3.23% and transportation by 31.92%.

scholarly journals The Influence of COVID-19 on Global CO2 Emissions and Climate Change: A Perspective from Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8461
Author(s):  
Chung Hong Tan ◽  
Mei Yin Ong ◽  
Saifuddin M. Nomanbhay ◽  
Abd Halim Shamsuddin ◽  
Pau Loke Show
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Food Education ◽  
Economic Downturns ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
Co2 Levels ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2 ◽  
Global Carbon

The rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in early 2020 prompted a global lockdown from March to July 2020. Due to strict lockdown measures, many countries experienced economic downturns, negatively affecting many industries including energy, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, healthcare, food, education, tourism, and sports. Despite this, the COVID-19 pandemic provided a rare opportunity to observe the impacts of worldwide lockdown on global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and climate change. Being the main greenhouse gas responsible for rising global surface temperature, CO2 is released to the atmosphere primarily by burning fossil fuels. Compared to 2019, CO2 emissions for the world and Malaysia decreased significantly by 4.02% (−1365.83 MtCO2) and 9.7% (−225.97 MtCO2) in 2020. However, this is insufficient to cause long-term impacts on global CO2 levels and climate change. Therefore, in this review, we explored the effects of worldwide lockdown on global CO2 levels, the impacts of national lockdown on Malaysia’s CO2 emissions, and the influence of climate change in Malaysia.

scholarly journals Human macroecology, energy use scaling, and the sustainability of cities: A look at Latin America

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Weinberger ◽  
Joseph Robert Burger
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Renewable Resources ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Scaling Analysis ◽  
Modern Cities ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Latin American Countries

We take a human macroecological approach using energy as a fundamental currency to quantify the emergence and future sustainability of urban societies globally with a special look at Latin America. Energetic scaling analysis showed most modern humans in cities in Latin America and elsewhere live at densities of ~10,000 ind/km2, ~4 orders of magnitude greater than our hunter-gatherer ancestors (<1 ind/km2). Meanwhile, modern cities consume ~10,000 watts mostly in the form of extra-metabolic (e.g., fossil fuels), ~2 orders of magnitude greater than hunter-gatherer biological metabolism (~120 watts). Further analysis of World Bank data across and within nations over time showed per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP), energy use, and CO2 emissions are lowest in predominantly rural countries, increase in urbanizing countries and are greatest in the most urban countries. For the same level of urbanization, Latin American countries show lower per capita GDP, energy use, and CO2 emissions than global averages. These trends coincide with changes in employment with rural countries employed largely in resource-extraction sectors and highly urbanized nations in service economies. Latin American countries have higher employment in resource sectors compared to most urban countries. Increasing energy use, especially fossil fuel use, underlies urbanization and changes in economic lifestyle. However, these trends cannot continue indefinitely. Latin America, because of its rich renewable and non-renewable resources, may be spared from future uncertainties inherent to complex human-nature systems including from climate change, energy scarcity, pandemics, migration, and trade agreements if it chooses to: 1) rapidly transition to renewable powered economies, and 2) reduce population and economy size within local and regional renewable biocapacities. A rapid cultural evolution is of the essence.

Analysis of Energy-Efficiency Improvements in Single-Family Dwellings in Concepcion, Chile

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-68
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Garcia Alvarado ◽  
Jaime Soto ◽  
Cristian Muñoz ◽  
Ariel Bobadilla ◽  
Rodrigo Herrera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Construction Costs ◽  
Environmental Improvement ◽  
Energy Simulations

The current depletion of fossil fuels and environmental degradation are requiring greater energy efficiency in buildings, particularly in the residential sector. However, environmental improvement actions for dwellings are usually based on general considerations, without identifying the most appropriate measurements to be taken in each case, or reviewing their application with stakeholders. This article puts forward a strategy to propose effective and feasible modifications in the design or refurbishment of single-family homes to reduce energy use while maintaining indoor comfort. The improvements proposed are based on dynamic energy simulations of individual models adapted to local realities that can be carried out by regular professionals. The process includes the review of studies and information on the geographic area, and compilation of the constructive features and occupancy data of each house to create a proper energy behaviour model. Possible improvements to the building are then simulated separately in each model and the results recorded. Subsequently, a budgetary analysis of these alternatives according to construction costs and financial projections is carried out in order to identify retrofit packages and consult the opinions of residents and builders. The application of this strategy is demonstrated in the study of several houses in Concepción, Chile, where different sets of measures have been identified to achieve high reductions in energy demand while having low cost and being highly appreciated by the participants. This provides a methodology for developing and validating effective solutions for the environmental improvement of existing dwellings and new housing projects.

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