Socio-Individual Prerequisites of Energy Transition in Iran: Investigating Public Acceptance of Solar Panel Technology in Rural Areas

Iran has inordinate natural capacity to benefit from solar energy all year. Interim plansby the Iranian government have been implemented to develop energy transition in ruralareas, however, the outcomes have not been promising so far. This research seeks toaddress the question of what factors influence villagers’ tendency towards solar panelacceptance for domestic usage. To answer the question, a survey was conducted amongresidents who had not installed the new technology in the survey time. A model basedon the modified framework of the Technology Acceptance Model for energy transitionwas developed and data was collected from the northern part of Iran—Mazandaranprovince. The data revealed that through the mediating role of attitude, the strongesteffect on adoption intention relates to perceived usefulness. The paper discusses whysolar energy technology is not welcomed in the studied community. The findingscontribute to increase our knowledge about underlying factors on the development ofpublic adoption of renewable energies in a developing country.

Can Japan Meet Its 2030 Nuclear Power Target?

The 2010s marked a turning point in Japan’s nuclear power’s industry. In fiscal year 2010, nuclear power electricity generation stood at 288.2 terawatt-hours. In 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake triggered a tsunami and a major accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. In 2014, nuclear power electricity generation eventually bottomed out at 0 terawatt-hour due to the temporary closures of all the reactors. In 2015, Japan’s Government advanced its landmark Long-term Energy Supply and Demand Outlook targeting nuclear power electricity generation to reach 216.8-231.7 terawatt-hours in fiscal year 2030 – granting a key role to this technology in terms of low carbon and stable domestic electricity supply. However, confronted to the challenges of meeting more stringent safety standards, many nuclear reactors have been permanently shut down, and future restarts are unclear. Given this scenario, this paper demonstrates that meeting Japan’s nuclear power 2030 target is unlikely. Furthermore, Japan has recently set a net zero greenhouse gas emission goal by 2050 making decarbonization of its electrical power generation, a future need. Although improvements in energy efficiency and greater deployment of renewable energies are two potential ways to overcome the shortfall, this paper discusses how proposed international electrical interconnections may serve as efficient and economical alternatives to meet nuclear power’s expected shortfall that also addresses climate change mitigation, electricity security strengthening, and resiliency.

Feasibility Analysis of the Power Supply Model Using Solar PV for the Public Lighting System in Hanoi

Public lighting is an essential service in today’s cities, towns, and highways, including improving public safety and reducing traffic accidents. Public lighting could consume up to 40% of the energy budget of the local governments. Therefore, the technical innovations related to public lighting always bring significant value to municipal governments. In Vietnam, the public lighting in big cities account for 25% of the total power consumption. The solutions to reducing electricity consumption for public lighting are also of interest to domestic and foreign organizations, including the use of on-site energy such as wind and solar energy. In this paper, on the basis of the current state of the public lighting system and the potential of solar energy in Hanoi, the authors have roughly calculated the technical and economic efficiency of power supply solutions using solar energy in public lighting. The proposal of solving the power supply problem, by using solar energy in public lighting in Hanoi is another result of the paper.

The Role of Glaciers in Hydropower Production in Nepal

Nepal is a mountainous country rich in water resources, with huge potential for hydropower generation. The Department of Electricity Development (DoED), which sits within the Nepalese Ministry of Energy, has published Guidelines for Study of Hydropower Projects to set out the official standards for the detailed study of hydropower projects in Nepal. The guide is regularly revised, with the latest revision having taken place in 2018, in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the projects. Among the key issues considered are the linkages between glaciers and hydropower projects in Nepal under a changing environment. The formation of new glacial lakes and the potential for glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are recent challenges in the Himalayan region. As such, any change impacting these processes may have serious consequences on hydropower projects or cause severe damage to these projects across the country, whether they are in the planning phase, under construction, or completed. This paper aims to make the connection between the status of hydropower projects in Nepal and the state of glaciers in the Himalayas, and suggests that advanced studies on glacial lakes and GLOFs are needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of hydropower projects under changing climate.

COVID-19 and Sustainable Energy Development: Agendas for Future Research

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a massive impact on and may fundamentally change the pathways and trajectories of sustainable energy development. This article examines the impact of COVID-19 on Asia’s sustainable energy development and proposes agendas for future energy research in response to the pandemic. The review and research agendas are oriented towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. The following three key questions need to be addressed by researchers: (1) In what ways does COVID-19 make sustainable energy development more important than ever? (2) What are the short- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on sustainable energy development? (3) How can responses to COVID-19 meet the objectives of sustainable energy development?

Criteria for Site Selection of Solar Parks in Bangladesh: A Delphi-AHP Analysis

The demand for electricity is increasing fast in Bangladesh to sustain rapid economic growth. The largest share of electricity in Bangladesh is produced by fossil fuel powered electricity generation plants. Though solar energy has high potential in Bangladesh due to favorable geographical location, very little initiative has been taken to develop the solar energy sector. At present, the Bangladesh government’s approval criteria for site selection of solar energy parks does not have any scientific basis. Consequently, the present study was undertaken to develop the site selection criteria for solar parks in Bangladesh. Delphi method with AHP was used to determine the criteria and its weightage for site selection of solar energy park. Two rounds of questionnaire for the Delphi method were conducted: in the first, the criteria list was formulated, and in the second, the weightage of the criteria was finalized. The finalized criteria were: land cover (i.e., vegetation, water bodies, build up area, bare land), land slope, surface solar irradiance, land surface temperature, and location of power sub-stations. Among these, land cover and location of power sub-stations were found to have the highest significance for determining suitable locations for solar energy parks in regard to Bangladesh.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of an Integrated Solar PV and Wind Power System in Vietnam

In Vietnam, energy generation accounts for more than half of the national greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. This sector has tremendous potential for emission reduction through the exploitation of renewable energy resources. This study examines the environmental impact of grid-connected solar and wind power in Vietnam, with a focus on GHG emissions. A life cycle assessment was conducted for these purposes. A case study of an integrated 50 kWp solar photovoltaics (PV) and 6 kW wind power model in the Central Highland of Vietnam was selected to illustrate the environmental impact of solar and wind power in Vietnam. The environmental inflows and outflows were quantified from raw material extraction for manufacturing components of the model, such as the panels, turbines, inverters and subsidiary components, to the end of life of the model. OpenLCA software was used for the calculation, with background data from publications and free LCA databases. The results obtained indicate that the life cycle GHG emissions are 20 gCO2e/kWh of solar PV, 3.7 gCO2e/kWh of wind power, and the total emission of the model during its 25-year lifetime is 38.28 tCO2e. If solar and wind power replace grid power, the lifetime emission reduction of the integrated solar and wind power model would be 1.8 thousand tCO2e.

A New Idea for LNG Trade: Enhancing Market Competition through a Tanker-Based Trading System

This study proposes a new idea for liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade based on Japan’s natural gas market. As part of their high rate of economic growth in recent decades, many Asian countries, including Japan, have constructed natural gas supply chains that are characterized by natural monopolies and vertically integrated companies. In addition, although Japan has a 50-year history of LNG imports, its domestic natural gas distribution mechanisms are not designed to create connections among markets. Therefore, domestic spot and futures markets have never operated efficiently. To promote Japanese domestic market competition, this study proposes a “tanker-based trading system” involving LNG tankers owned by a consortium of Japanese firms and supported by the Japanese government. This trading system would enhance the market efficiency of LNG-based operating countries. Thus, a spot market for natural gas in Japan and East Asia can be created using LNG tankers, and the natural gas trading system in Japan can play a role in spot markets similar to the Henry Hub and the National Balancing Point.

Solar Energy Development and Social Sustainability: A Case Study on the Teknaf Solar Power Plant in Bangladesh

Due to Bangladesh’s rapid development and fast-growing economy, the Government has placed an emphasis on ensuring a reliable and quality supply of electricity, to permit sustainable and financial development. The state’s policy on private sector involvement and the release of marginal lands for energy plantations is intended to enhance access to energy, through diversifying the energy supply. The country’s first solar park, with a capacity of 28 megawatts (MW), was established on 116 acres of land in Knila, Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar. This facility started producing electricity in September 2018, which is currently being added to the national grid. Solar power is one of the cleanest energy sources, but this does not guarantee that it will be sustainable for all societies. Sustainability is determined by three different parameters: environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and economic sustainability. This paper critically discusses the impact of the project on the socio-economic and agro-ecological conditions of the local people. Using the empirical research method, here the effects have been understood and analyzed from the perspective of the political economy.

Everyday Energy Politics in Central Asia and the Caucasus: Citizens’ Needs, Entitlements, and Struggles for Access, by David Gullette and Jeanne Féaux de la Croix

Everyday Energy Politics in Central Asia and the Caucasus: Citizens’ Needs, Entitlements, and Struggles for Access, by David Gullette and Jeanne Féaux de la Croix DOWNLOAD HISTORY | This article has been downloaded 61 times in Digital Commons before migrating into this platform.