scholarly journals Reducing GHG Emissions and Improving Cost Effectiveness via Energy Efficiency Enhancements: A Case Study in a Biscuit Industry

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Valentina Stojceska ◽  
Nicholas Parker ◽  
Savvas A. Tassou
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Capital Investments ◽  
Energy Prices ◽  
Automated Production ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Production Area

As the new climate change driven regulations are brought into the force and energy prices and sustainability awareness increased, many companies are looking for the most efficient way to reduce their energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this context, the food industry as one of the main energy consumers within the industry sector plays a significant role. This paper analyses the current energy consumption in a biscuit manufacturing company and considers a number of possible solutions for the energy efficiency improvements. The company uses modern and automated production processes and has signed a Climate Change Agreement. The experimental part involves identification of the energy users, as well as analysis of the energy bills, operation times, production schedule and on-site measurements of energy consumption. The opportunities for energy efficiency improvements, GHG emissions and costs reduction are investigated and additional information about the investments and payback period of the proposed improvements discussed. A number of opportunities for improvement are identified within the production area with a potential savings of 23%, which corresponds to EUR 40,534.00 and 190 tCO2, annually. It was found that the significant savings could be achieved by better managing the production lines and reducing operational hours from equipment, with no impact on productivity and no capital investment required. Further savings can be achieved through technical improvements requiring capital investments. All those improvements and savings make a significant contribution in accomplishing environmental targets set out by the FDF1 agreement.

scholarly journals Renewable Energy and EU 2020 Target for Energy Efficiency in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 965 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Brożyna ◽  
Wadim Strielkowski ◽  
Alena Fomina ◽  
Natalya Nikitina
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Eu

Our paper focuses on the renewable energy and EU 2020 target for energy efficiency in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We study the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in these two EU Member States through the prism of the Europe 2020 strategy and the 3 × 20 climate and energy package and economic growth (represented by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that allows to measure the national dynamics and provide cross-country comparisons) without attributing specific attention to issues such as the electrification of transport or heating, and thence leaving them outside the scope of this paper. Both Czech Republic and Slovakia are two post-Communist countries that still face the consequences of economic transformation and struggle with the optimal management of natural resources. Both countries encountered profound system transformation after 1989 that are apparent in all three measures of sustainable development used in our study. We show that it is unlikely that the planned increase in renewable energy in the Czech Republic and Slovakia will reach its targets, but they might succeed in reducing their energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Our findings show that the energy intensity of Czech and Slovak economies increased in the early 2000s and then stabilized at a level about twice of the EU average. It appears that this value is likely to remain the same in the forthcoming years. However, implementation of GHG emissions in the Czech Republic and Slovakia may be at risk in case the proper energy policy is not maintained. Moreover, our results show how the increase in the share of renewable energy and improvement in energy efficiency go hand-in-hand with mining and exploiting the energy sources that is notorious for the transition economies. We also demonstrate that a proper energy policy is required for effectively reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. There is a need for commitments made by relevant stakeholders and policymakers targeted at achieving sustainable economic growth and energy efficiency. In addition, we demonstrate that there is a need for maintaining a proper balance between economic development and environmental protection, which is a must for the EU sustainable energy development agenda and all its accompanying targets for all its Member States.

Informing Climate Change Policy Through Economics and Engineering Perspectives on Energy Efficiency

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Sreedharan ◽  
Alan H. Sanstad ◽  
Joe Bryson
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Public Policy ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Policy Process ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Change Policy ◽  
State And Local ◽  
End Use

Energy “sustainability” and energy supply have again emerged as central public policy issues and are at the intersection of the economic, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation and the world. The goal of significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with energy production and consumption, while maintaining affordable and reliable energy supplies, is one of the most important issues. Among the strategies for achieving this goal, increasing the efficiency of energy consumption in buildings is being emphasized to a degree not seen since the 1970s. “End-use” efficiency is the core of the State of California’s landmark effort to reduce its GHG emissions, of other state and local climate-change initiatives, and is emphasized in emerging federal GHG abatement legislation. Both economic and engineering methods are used to analyze energy efficiency, but the two paradigms provide different perspectives on the market and technological factors that affect the diffusion of energy efficiency. These disparate perspectives influence what is considered the appropriate role and design of public policy for leveraging not just efficient end-use technology, but other sustainable energy technologies. We review the two approaches and their current roles in the GHG policy process by describing, for illustrative purposes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s assessment of energy efficiency in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 Discussion Draft. We highlight opportunities and needs for improved coordination between the engineering, economic and policy communities. Our view is that a better understanding of disciplinary differences and complementarities in perspectives and analytical methods between these communities will benefit the climate change policy process.

scholarly journals Scenario Analysis for GHG Emission Reduction Potential of the Building Sector for New City in South Korea

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 5514
Author(s):  
Seo-Hoon Kim ◽  
SungJin Lee ◽  
Seol-Yee Han ◽  
Jong-Hun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Building Sector ◽  
Ghg Reduction ◽  
New City

A new government report on climate change shows that global emissions of greenhouse gases have increased to very high levels despite various policies to reduce climate change. Building energy accounts for 40% of the world’s energy consumption and accounts for 33% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. This study applied the LEAP (Long-range energy alternatives planning) model and Bass diffusion method for predicting the total energy consumption and GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions from the residential and commercial building sector of Sejong City in South Korea. Then, using the Bass diffusion model, three scenarios were analyzed (REST: Renewable energy supply target, BES: Building energy saving, BEP: Building energy policy) for GHG reduction. The GHG emissions for Sejong City for 2015–2030 were analyzed, and the past and future GHG emissions of the city were predicted in a Business-as-Usual (BAU) scenario. In the REST scenario, the GHG emissions would attain a 24.5% reduction and, in the BES scenario, the GHG emissions would attain 12.81% reduction by 2030. Finally, the BEP scenario shows the potential for a 19.81% GHG reduction. These results could be used to guide the planning and development of the new city.

scholarly journals Energy Efficiency and GHG Emissions Mapping of Buildings for Decision-Making Processes against Climate Change at the Local Level

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar Lorenzo-Sáez ◽  
José-Vicente Oliver-Villanueva ◽  
Eloina Coll-Aliaga ◽  
Lenin-Guillermo Lemus-Zúñiga ◽  
Victoria Lerma-Arce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Low Carbon Economy

Buildings have become a key source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to the consumption of primary energy, especially when used to achieve thermal comfort conditions. In addition, buildings play a key role for adapting societies to climate change by achieving more energy efficiency. Therefore, buildings have become a key sector to tackle climate change at the local level. However, public decision-makers do not have tools with enough spatial resolution to prioritise and focus the available resources and efforts in an efficient manner. The objective of the research is to develop an innovative methodology based on a geographic information system (GIS) for mapping primary energy consumption and GHG emissions in buildings in cities according to energy efficiency certificates. The developed methodology has been tested in a representative medium-sized city in Spain, obtaining an accurate analysis that shows 32,000 t of CO2 emissions due to primary energy consumption of 140 GWh in residential buildings with high spatial resolution at single building level. The obtained results demonstrate that the majority of residential buildings have low levels of energy efficiency and emit an average of 45 kg CO2/m2. Compared to the national average in Spain, this obtained value is on the average, while it is slightly better at the regional level. Furthermore, the results obtained demonstrate that the developed methodology is able to directly identify city districts with highest potential for improving energy efficiency and reducing GHG emissions. Additionally, a data model adapted to the INSPIRE regulation has been developed in order to ensure interoperability and European-wide application. All these results have allowed the local authorities to better define local strategies towards a low-carbon economy and energy transition. In conclusion, public decision-makers will be supported with an innovative and user-friendly GIS-based methodology to better define local strategies towards a low-carbon economy and energy transition in a more efficient and transparent way based on metrics of high spatial resolution and accuracy.

scholarly journals Implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive: Opportunities and Challenges

2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 3-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Zīgurs ◽  
U. Sarma
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Regulatory Regime ◽  
Energy Prices ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Target Energy ◽  
End Use ◽  
Optimum Solution ◽  
Energy Utilities

Abstract Discussions in Latvia are ongoing regarding the optimum solution to implementing Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (Directive 2012/27/EU). Without a doubt, increased energy efficiency contributes significantly to energy supply security, competitive performance, increased quality of life, reduced energy dependence and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, Directive 2012/27/EU should be implemented with careful planning, evaluating every aspect of the process. This study analyses a scenario, where a significant fraction of target energy efficiency is achieved by obliging energy utilities to implement user-end energy efficiency measures. With implementation of this scheme towards energy end-use savings, user payments for energy should be reduced; on the other hand, these measures will require considerable investment. The energy efficiency obligation scheme stipulates that these investments must be paid by energy utilities; however, they will actually be covered by users, because the source of energy utilities’ income is user payments for energy. Thus, expenses on such measures will be included in energy prices and service tariffs. The authors analyse the ways to achieve a balance between user gains from energy end-use savings and increased energy prices and tariffs as a result of obligations imposed upon energy utilities. Similarly, the suitability of the current regulatory regime for effective implementation of Directive 2012/27/EU is analysed in the energy supply sectors, where supply tariffs are regulated.

scholarly journals Energy efficiency, resilience to future climates and long-term sustainability: the role of the built environment

2010 ◽  
Vol 368 (1914) ◽  
pp. 1083-1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
The Uk

Just under half of all energy consumption in the UK today takes place indoors, and over a quarter within our homes. The challenges associated with energy security, climate change and sustainable consumption will be overcome or lost in our existing buildings. A background analysis, and the scale of the engineering challenge for the next three to four decades, is described in this paper.

Effects of Energy Prices on Energy Efficiency in China

2014 ◽  
Vol 962-965 ◽  
pp. 1767-1772
Author(s):  
Zun Ming Ren
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Industrial Structure ◽  
Time Series Data ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Energy Prices ◽  
Electricity Prices ◽  
Consumption Structure ◽  
Integration Test

The paper utilized the co-integration test, error correction model and Granger causality test, and other methods to verify the influence of the coal, oil and electricity prices, industrial and energy consumption structures on China's energy efficiency based on time-series data from 1979 to 2010. Test results show that: there is long-term equilibrium relationship of the energy prices, industrial structure, energy consumption structure and energy efficiency; coal prices, industrial structure and energy consumption structure are the Granger reasons of energy efficiency both in the short and long run; while the oil and electricity prices only constitute the long-term Granger reasons of energy efficiency. Finally, it analyzed the implications of policies of the empirical results and provided some constructive suggestions.

scholarly journals Energy and Climate Policy—An Evaluation of Global Climate Change Expenditure 2011–2018

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 4839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coilín ÓhAiseadha ◽  
Gerré Quinn ◽  
Ronan Connolly ◽  
Michael Connolly ◽  
Willie Soon
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Climate Policy ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
World Energy

Concern for climate change is one of the drivers of new, transitional energy policies oriented towards economic growth and energy security, along with reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and preservation of biodiversity. Since 2010, the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) has been publishing annual Global Landscape of Climate Finance reports. According to these reports, US$3660 billion has been spent on global climate change projects over the period 2011–2018. Fifty-five percent of this expenditure has gone to wind and solar energy. According to world energy reports, the contribution of wind and solar to world energy consumption has increased from 0.5% to 3% over this period. Meanwhile, coal, oil, and gas continue to supply 85% of the world’s energy consumption, with hydroelectricity and nuclear providing most of the remainder. With this in mind, we consider the potential engineering challenges and environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the main energy sources (old and new). We find that the literature raises many concerns about the engineering feasibility as well as environmental impacts of wind and solar. However, none of the current or proposed energy sources is a “panacea”. Rather, each technology has pros and cons, and policy-makers should be aware of the cons as well as the pros when making energy policy decisions. We urge policy-makers to identify which priorities are most important to them, and which priorities they are prepared to compromise on.

scholarly journals The Contribution of Energy Taxes to Climate Change Policy in the European Union (EU)

Resources ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genovaitė Liobikienė ◽  
Mindaugas Butkus ◽  
Kristina Matuzevičiūtė
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Panel Data Analysis ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy Consumption ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Change Policy ◽  
Energy Taxes

Energy taxes are one of the main market-based tools directed toward mitigating climate change in the European Union (EU). Therefore, the aim of this article was to analyze whether energy taxes really contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the successful implementation of climate change policy. Applying the Granger causality test on time series and using panel data analysis, the direct and indirect (via the reduction of fossil energy consumption (FEC) and energy intensity (EI), as well as the increase of renewable energy consumption (REN)) impacts of energy taxes on GHG emissions in EU countries were analyzed in the present study. The results showed that energy taxes did not Granger-cause fossil energy consumption, energy intensity, renewable energy consumption, and GHG emissions in almost all EU countries. Regarding the panel data analysis, the results showed that energy taxes did not, directly and indirectly, influence GHG emissions. Therefore, this paper shows that generally, energy tax policy in EU countries is ineffective. Thus, tax policy should be reformed and matched with an emissions trading system in seeking climate change mitigation.

Climate Change and Environmental Awareness: a Study of Energy Consumption among the Residents of Abu Dhabi, UAE

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 564-582
Author(s):  
Latifa Saeed Al Blooshi ◽  
Taoufik Saleh Ksiksi ◽  
Ali Soliman Gargoum ◽  
Mohammed Aboelenein
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Nonparametric Tests ◽  
Abu Dhabi ◽  
Energy Prices ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Al Ain ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The rising levels of greenhouse gases (GHG) have caused great concern about the impact of climate change on almost every aspect of our lives. Urban expansion and changing lifestyles have led to an increase in energy consumption. The main aim of this empirical study is to explore the environmental and socioeconomic impact of climate change on the energy consumption of a stratified random sample of the residents of three main regions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi city, Al-Ain city and AlDhafra) and to investigate residents’ awareness of this change. Data was gathered from 321 residents from these three regions. The response rate for the survey was 97 percent. Descriptive statistical methods and nonparametric tests were used to compare quantitative data at different levels of the sociodemographic variables. The findings revealed that more than 50 percent of the participants agreed that climate change is controlling their energy and water consumption. About 94 percent of participants believe that their energy consumption is increasing, while 44 percent of the sample spent 30 percent more money on water and electricity bills in the past 20 years. About 50 percent of participants consider moving to another city if energy prices increased due to energy consumption and the effects of climate change. Respondents over age of 40 tend to be more conscious and aware of climate change. Eighty-eight percent of the Emiratis believe that weather and climate change are affecting their energy and water consumption.

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