REA: Resource Exergy Analysis - A basic guideline for application focusing on energy systems evaluation

This publication provides a basic guideline to the application of Resource Exergy Analysis (REA) with a focus on energy systems evaluation. REA is a proven application of exergy analysis to the field of technology comparison.REA aims to help decision makers to obtain an indicator in addition to GHG emissions, that is grounded in science, namely Resource Consumption.Even if an energy system uses GHG-free energy increased Resource Consumption likely increases the need for fossil fuels and thus GHG emissions of the global economy. Resource Consumption can replace the less comprehensive Primary Energy Consumption as an indictor and reduce the risk of suboptimal decisions.Evaluating energy systems using REA is key to ensure that climate targets are reached in time.

Energy Performance of Italian Oil Refineries Based on Mandatory Energy Audits

Petroleum products account for the 32.3% of worldwide primary energy. There are more than 100 oil refineries in Europe that directly employ 119,000 people with a turnover of EUR 600 billion and around 1.2% to the total value added in manufacturing. Therefore, the petroleum refining sector is very important in the European economy, and its decarbonization is crucial in the energy transition. Refineries present a high degree of complexity and integration, and the continuous increase of their energy efficiency is a key topic for the sector. In this work an analysis of the energy efficiency in ten Italian refineries based on mandatory energy audits and public data is presented. The primary (0.0963 ± 0.0341 toe/t), thermal (3421.71 ± 1316.84 MJ/t), and electrical (68.20 ± 19.34 kWh/t) specific energy consumptions have been evaluated. Some insights about the impact of refined products mix (mainly driven by production of diesel fuel) and Nelson Complexity Index in energy consumption are presented. Lastly, an overview of energy performance improvement actions (EPIAs) information extracted from energy audits is presented. This work presents a first step for the benchmark of Italian refineries that should be subsequently improved.

Assessing the energy transition in China towards carbon neutrality with a probabilistic framework

A profound transformation of China’s energy system is required to achieve carbon neutrality. Here, we couple Monte Carlo analysis with a bottom-up energy-environment-economy model to generate 3,000 cases with different carbon peak times, technological evolution pathways and cumulative carbon budgets. The results show that if emissions peak in 2025, the carbon neutrality goal calls for a 45–62% electrification rate, 47–78% renewable energy in primary energy supply, 5.2–7.9 TW of solar and wind power, 1.5–2.7 PWh of energy storage usage and 64–1,649 MtCO2 of negative emissions, and synergistically reducing approximately 80% of local air pollutants compared to the present level in 2050. The emission peak time and cumulative carbon budget have significant impacts on the decarbonization pathways, technology choices, and transition costs. Early peaking reduces welfare losses and prevents overreliance on carbon removal technologies. Technology breakthroughs, production and consumption pattern changes, and policy enhancement are urgently required to achieve carbon neutrality.

Sustainable Energy Management in Intelligent Transportation

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) are a collection of technologies that can enhance transport networks and public transit and individual decision-making about various elements of travel. ITS technologies comprise cutting-edge wireless, electronic and automated technology intending to improve safety, efficiency and convenience in surface transit. In certain cases, reducing energy usage has proven to be an ITS advantage. In this report, the primary energy advantages of a range of ITS systems established through models, pilot projects/field tests and extensive use are examined and summarized. In worldwide driving, the Internet of Things (IoT) solutions play a vital role. A new age of communication leading to ITS will be the communication between cars via IoT. IoT is a mixture of data and data analysis data storage and processing to manage the traffic system efficiently.Energy management, which is seen as an efficient, innovative approach to highly efficient energy generation plants. It simultaneously takes care of optimizing traditional sources of the IoT based intelligent transport system, helps to automate railways, roads, airways and shipways, which improve customer experience in the process. Following an evaluation of the situation, a proposal named energy management in intelligent transportation (EMIT) improves energy efficiency and economic efficiency in transportation. It improves energy management to reduce economic and ecological waste by decreasing global transport energy consumption. The sustainable development ratio is 85.7%, accidents detection ratio is 85.3%, electric vehicle infrastructure ratio is 83.6%, intelligent vehicle parking system acceptance ratio is 82.15%, and reduction ratio of energy consumption is 91.4%.

Energy Efficiency Strategies For Future Educational Buildings: A Case Study in Madrid

BackgroundThis paper presents a new-built school that works disconnected from the grid and uses energy from renewable sources. The design is based on a necessary condition from the developer to achieve extremely low energy demands for heating and cooling and total primary energy according to the Passivhaus Plus standard: Furthermore, the total energy consumed can be generated on-site from renewable sources. Through energy efficiency management systems, a very low rate of CO2 emissions are achieved. ResultsIn addition to meeting the requirements established by the Passivhaus accreditation, the strategies achieve high levels of internal “well-being” for students and staff members, as recognised in other environmental certifications. This is possible through a holistic and bioclimatic design principle integrated in architectural design. ConclusionsThe installation’s design solves the main challenge in educational use: to respond to the high variations of occupancy in the classrooms and to guarantee a stable temperature and optimum air quality, but, in addition, minimum energy consumption is achieved, and prioritising passive energy sources (GSHX) overactive sources (heat pumps) employing integrated monitoring systems.The educational component in design is fundamental; the building is conceived as an extra learning tool for the pupils involved in the energy process in the building. This promotes awareness and sensitivity to the environmental challenges ahead.This is the first Spanish building (Figure 1) awarded by the Passive House Institute (2021).

Energy-Optimal Structures of HVAC System for Cleanrooms as a Function of Key Constant Parameters and External Climate

This article presents approximating relations defining energy-optimal structures of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) system for cleanrooms as a function of key constant parameters and energy-optimal control algorithms for various options of heat recovery and external climates. The annual unit primary energy demand of the HVAC system for thermodynamic air treatment was adopted as the objective function. Research was performed for wide representative variability ranges of key constant parameters: cleanliness class—Cs (ISO5÷ISO8), unit cooling loads —q˙j (100 ÷ 500) W/m2 and percentage of outdoor air—αo (5 ÷ 100)%. HVAC systems are described with vectors x¯ with coordinates defined by constant parameters and decision variables, and the results are presented in the form of approximating functions illustrating zones of energy-optimal structures of the HVAC system x¯* = f (Cs, q˙j, αo). In the optimization procedure, the type of heat recovery as an element of optimal structures of the HVAC system and algorithms of energy-optimal control were defined based on an objective function and simulation models. It was proven that using heat recovery is profitable only for HVAC systems without recirculation and with internal recirculation (savings of 5 ÷ 66%, depending on the type of heat recovery and the climate), while it is not profitable (or generates losses) for HVAC systems with external recirculation or external and internal recirculation at the same time.

The Challenge of Climate Change—Complete Energy Systems Transformation: No Nuclear, No Net Zero

To achieve Net Zero, natural gas, gasoline, diesel, and fuel oils must be replaced with another source. However, most of the current low-carbon energy sources will also need to be replaced as almost none have more than about 25 years remaining of useful life. The pace and scale of the needed change is unprecedented: almost the whole of the world’s primary energy supply must be replaced. The (re)development of the entire energy system is inherently a sovereign risk and it can only be governments who set national energy policy. There is no doubt that markets will continue to play a part in future energy systems, but at the top level, the pace and scale of change to achieve Net Zero is simply far too fast for markets to adapt properly. This chapter is a call to action to the national policy makers and presents this challenge as an opportunity for creating higher-quality jobs and potentially highly attractive and long-dated investment options. The chapter also outlines some risks, including political indecisiveness and policy volatility as potential impediments to making the most of this opportunity and achieving the Net Zero.

Application of ASAS method to PAMELA calorimeter

In this paper, we propose a method that makes it possible to to improve energy reconstruction for data obtained via thin heterogeneous calorimeters for direct measurements of cosmic rays with energies of TeV and higher. Despite the large number of modern experimental complexes, the primary energy of cosmic nuclei with energies above 1 TeV is determined with large errors associated with fluctuations in the development of the cascade. For heterogeneous calorimeters, transient effects give an additional negative effect. In this paper we analyze the main causes of fluctuations and discuss a method for reducing the effect of fluctuations on the results of primary energy reconstruction. The method of accumulation of signal along the spectrum (ASAS) is used to reduce fluctuations associated with transient effects. The method was tested using the heterogeneous calorimeter of the PAMELA collaboration. It is shown that the proposed approach makes it possible to correctly determine the energy of slowly developing showers, the maxima of which are not measured.

Study on Air-to-Water Heat Pumps Seasonal Performances for Heating in Greece

Air-to-water heat pumps (AWHPs) is a very good option for efficient heating in the residential and commercial building sectors. Their performance and therefore the use of primary energy and CO2 gas emissions are affected by various factors. The aim of this paper is to present a study on the seasonal coefficient of performance in heating (SCOP) of AWHPs, which are available in the Greek market. The sample consists of 100 models in total, offered by 12 manufacturers, in a range of heat pump’s thermal capacity up to 50 kW. The calculation of SCOP values was performed according to the methodology proposed by the EN14825 standard. The results indicate how the heating capacity, the local climate, the supply water temperature, the compressor’s technology, and the control system affect the seasonal performance of the various AWHP models examined. Setting the SCOP ≥ 3 value as a criterion, the analysis that was carried out in four climatic zones A, B, C, and D of Greece, shows that there are many models that meet this criterion, and, in fact, their number increases from the coldest to warmer climates, in combination with lower water supply temperatures to the heating system and a control system with weather compensation.

Assessment of energy efficiency of a motor yacht depending on routes and sailing area

The report presents an analysis of luxury charter yachts which are a specific class of vessels that, in order to meet the schedules and increased requirements of the owners regarding the luxury of the services offered, have relatively high energy consumption for their gross tonnage, compared to other passenger ships. The study focuses on the analysis of energy efficiency of luxury yachts by calculating the energy efficiency index (EEDI). This involves comparing different parameters that affect the value of the EEDI and can lead to energy savings. The report presents theoretical and experimental studies of the energy costs of a 70-meter luxury yacht for charter trips. With the use of the design data of the ship’s electrical equipment at different operating modes, at different routes, under different conditions, dependences for analysis of the optimal modes of movement are obtained, which leads to the realization of maximum savings of electricity and primary energy.