Indicators for the optimization of sustainable urban energy systems based on energy system modeling

Background Urban energy systems are responsible for 75% of the world’s energy consumption and for 70% of the worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Energy system models are used to optimize, benchmark and compare such energy systems with the help of energy sustainability indicators. We discuss several indicators for their basic suitability and their response to changing boundary conditions, system structures and reference values. The most suitable parameters are applied to four different supply scenarios of a real-world urban energy system. Results There is a number of energy sustainability indicators, but not all of them are suitable for the use in urban energy system optimization models. Shortcomings originate from the omission of upstream energy supply chains (secondary energy efficiency), from limited capabilities to compare small energy systems (energy productivity), from excessive accounting expense (regeneration rate), from unsuitable accounting methods (primary energy efficiency), from a questionable impact of some indicators on the overall system sustainability (self-sufficiency), from the lack of detailed information content (share of renewables), and more. On the other hand, indicators of absolute greenhouse gas emissions, energy costs, and final energy demand are well suitable for the use in optimization models. However, each of these indicators only represents partial aspects of energy sustainability; the use of only one indicator in the optimization process increases the risk that other important aspects will deteriorate significantly, eventually leading to suboptimal or even unrealistic scenarios in practice. Therefore, multi-criteria approaches should be used to enable a more holistic optimization and planning of sustainable urban energy systems. Conclusion We recommend multi-criteria optimization approaches using the indicators of absolute greenhouse gas emissions, absolute energy costs, and absolute energy demand. For benchmarking and comparison purposes, specific indicators should be used and therefore related to the final energy demand, respectively, the number of inhabitants. Our example scenarios demonstrate modeling strategies to optimize sustainability of urban energy systems.

Energy sustainability alternatives for the Home for the elderly Maty, in the community of Villa Juárez, Aguascalientes

Base on the objectives of the 2030 Schedule, for sustainable development for the benefit of people and the planet and, with the visionary commitment of the Universidad Tecnológica de Aguascalientes to contribute to the sustainable development of the various sectors, this article presents five alternatives of energy sustainability for the benefit of the Hogar del Abuelo Maty nursing home, located in the community of Villa Juárez, municipality of Asientos in the state of Aguascalientes. The document describes the context of this Institution, its energy consumption situation, the dynamics and operating status of equipment that requires electricity for basic healthcare services. Under a sustainability approach, the objective of this work is to provide resilient energy alternatives, aimed at generating, saving or efficient use of energy and caring for the environment. Following the applied research methodology, knowledge of photovoltaic systems allows the development of alternatives to meet a need for social impact. The main contributions derived from any of these are the positive impact generated in reducing the cost of energy consumption, caring for the environment and adult care services provided with clean energy.

Public Service Obligation Levy in the Context of Energy Sustainability and Security: The Cases of Ireland, Greece, Denmark and Lithuania

Energy policy affects the functioning of the economic and financial systems of countries worldwide. This paper provides a theoretical overview of the economy–energy nexus and discusses the particular cases of the energy policy dynamics amid the sustainability goals. This paper integrates multiple perspectives on the energy–economy nexus, with a particular focus on the energy trilemma, 4As of energy security and PESTEL approach. This allows the development of a comprehensive framework for the analysis of energy security and the sustainability interaction. A review of manifestations of the different dimensions of energy security and sustainability is carried out to identify the most topical facets of the issue. Then, the cases of the selected European Union countries (Ireland, Greece, Denmark and Lithuania) are presented to highlight the effects and features of the recent energy policy changes there. Indeed, these countries apply a PSO levy mechanism on electricity tariffs and are diverse in their geopolitical situation, economic development, geographical situation and energy dependency level. The analysis of the situations of such different countries applying the PSO levy mechanism makes it possible to perform a broader and more in-depth assessment and comparison of electricity tariff regulations. Thus, the developed theoretical model is applied to identify the major outcomes of the energy policy regimes (with a focus on tariff regulation) in the selected countries.

COMPARISON OF EFFICIENCY AND CARBON EMISSIONS OF FILAMENT ELECTRIC STOVES AND INDUCTION ELECTRIC STOVES

Issues related to energy sustainability and carbon emission reduction are continuously being concerned by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia. Various efforts and programs have been launched to achieve targets of the related issues. As known that energy use for cooking by the household is continuously increasing in relation to population growth that will of course increase in energy need which relates to the sustainability of presence energy and carbon emission. Accordingly, the LPG stove conversion program to an electric stove was introduced in order to achieve the target to solve such issues. This paper compared of efficiency and carbon emissions of both electric filament stoves and induction stoves. The result indicated that the induction stove has better efficiency compared with the electric stove. The study also was proved that the carbon emissions for both types of stoves were relatively low in comparison with LPG stoves. However, the enormous operational power of the induction stove is still a challenge that must be resolved to achieve the target of energy sustainability in Indonesia.

Energy Sustainability of a Cluster of Buildings with the Application of Smart Grids and Decentralization of Renewable Energy Sources

The article deals with the current state of energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the urban area of building clusters. There are many requirements, such as those set by the EU (FIT 55, decarbonisation in 2050, full electromobility in 2035, or mandatory annual reductions in energy consumption and CO2 production) or societal requirements, such as stable energy supply and its optimisation while significantly reducing CO2 emissions. This inspired us to design an energy model of a building (EMB) with smart grid implementation in a decentralized sustainable energy system. Simulation model studies were carried out to show the possibility of their application in the process of fully satisfying energy needs in terms of reducing their environmental impact. A decentralized photovoltaic system (microgrid) connected to a distribution grid. The main objective is to propose an original methodology for the design of smart "Nearly Zero Energy Buildings" (NZEB) and a subsequent solution for energy sustainability. This has led us to use HOMER, PV*SOL, Monte Carlo and DesignBuilder software which were chosen from the range of options that were and are available. Subsequently, a synthesis of the selected software solutions was carried out and a new model - the "Energy Model of a Building" (EMB) - was proposed in the process of integration with the energy performance of buildings, as an original optimization basis for designing smart buildings and smart areas, and even cities. The proposed EMB has been verified and evaluated within the experiment.