The trend in energy consumption, with a particular focus on heating and cooling demand, is an issue that is relevant to the promotion of new energy policies and more efficient energy systems. Moreover, heating and cooling energy demand is expected to rise in the next several decades, mainly due to climate change as well as increasing incomes in developing countries. In this context, the building sector is currently a relevant energy-intensive economic sector in Morocco; it accounts for 33% of the country’s total energy demand (as the sector with the second highest energy demand, after the transport sector), with the residential sector accounting for 25% and the tertiary sector accounting for 8%. Aiming to reduce energy dependence and promote sustainable development, the Moroccan government recently issued a comprehensive plan to increase the share of renewables and improve energy efficiency. This strategy includes novel thermal building regulations promoted by the Moroccan Agency for E... [more]

Energy usage in buildings is coming increasingly under the spotlight as carbon policy focus shifts towards the utilization of thermal energy. In the UK, heating and hot water accounts for around 40% of energy consumption and 20% of greenhouse gas emissions. Heating is typically produced onsite, making widescale carbon or energetic improvements challenging. District heating networks (DHNs) can offer significant carbon reduction for many users but can only be implemented if the end user buildings have good thermal energy efficiency. This greatly limits the ability to implement advancing 4th and 5th generation DHNs, which are the most advanced systems available. We elucidate the current state of thermal efficiency in buildings in the UK and provide recommendations for necessary building requirements and modifications in order to accommodate 4th and 5th generation district heating. We conclude that key sectors must be addressed including creating a skilled workforce, producing relevant met... [more]

Industrial energy flexibility enables companies to optimize their energy-associated production costs and support the energy transition towards renewable energy sources. The first step towards achieving energy flexible operation in a production facility is to identify and characterize the energy flexibility measures available in the industrial systems that comprise it. These industrial systems are both the manufacturing systems that directly execute the production tasks and the systems performing supporting tasks or tasks necessary for the operation of these manufacturing systems. Energy flexibility measures are conscious and quantifiable actions to carry out a defined change of operative state in an industrial system. This work proposes a methodology to identify and characterize the available energy flexibility measures in industrial systems regardless of the task they perform in the facility. This methodology is the basis of energy flexibility-oriented industrial energy audits, in jux... [more]

As a component of China’s strategic emerging industries, green lighting is an important industry supporting the high-quality and high-efficiency development of China’s economy, and is also an important way to achieve energy conservation and emission reduction. At present, China has basically established a policy framework to promote the development of green lighting industry, but there is no empirical evidence on the performance of existing policies on energy conservation and emission reduction. Based on the development status of China’s green lighting industry, this paper sorts out the milestones of China’s green lighting industry policy and the current status of the framework of the existing green lighting industry development policies, constructs a policy performance evaluation model for China’s green lighting industry based on the difference-in-difference (DID) model, and evaluates the implementation effects of green lighting industry policies in China from the perspective of energ... [more]

This paper surveys cross-border oil and gas mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions in recent years using a large sample of 18,179 transactions announced over the period 2000−2018. M&A activities depend on economic fundamentals, but also on sector specifics and this particularly holds true for the oil and gas industry. Therefore, we have added sector specific to the standard economic explanations of mergers and acquisitions by accounting for institutions, resources, and politics. Indeed, our outputs show that industry-specific factors seem much more important in motivating M&A in the oil and gas industry than the familiar and researched economic conditions. In particular, the pattern of cross-border M&A is almost unrelated to opportunities offered by the resource base in different countries while political, institutional, and legal constraints shape the directions of cross-border M&A. The research covers the recent trends in the oil and gas M&A transactions, strengthens the underst... [more]

The influencing factors of the low-carbon consumption behavior of urban residents have become popular. This paper explored the factors of consumers’ low-carbon behavior through a questionnaire survey. Using Hangzhou as a case study city, which yields 786 valid responses, the results indicated that urban consumers generally had a high perception of low-carbon behavior. At the same time, low-carbon cognition and low-carbon intention had a positive impact on residents’ low-carbon behavior. In particular, the level of awareness of global warming adjusted residents’ understanding of low-carbon behavior. From a policy point of view, this research contributes to insights into the promotion of guiding residents’ low-carbon behavior and improving the response to global warming.

The main principles of the smart city concept rely on modern, environmentally friendly technologies. One manifestation of the smart city concept is investments in renewable energy sources (RES), which are currently a popular direction in urban transformation. It makes sense, therefore, to analyse how Polish cities are coping with this challenge and whether they are including the implementation of RES facilities in their development strategies. The aim of the article is to analyze and assess the level at which renewable energy facilities are being implemented or developed in the urban space of cities in Poland as a pillar of the implementation of the smart city concept. This goal is realized on two levels: the theoretical (analysis of strategic documents) and the practical (analysis of the capacity of RES installations, questionnaire studies). The study shows that renewable energy installations are an important part of the development strategies of Polish cities, and especially of those... [more]

We describe how recent EU regulation affects demand response (DR) and highlight some of the remaining regulatory challenges from a legal and economic viewpoint. With the Clean Energy Package (CEP), the EU has opted for a fully market-based, consumer-centered approach for DR. The development of business models and products is left to a large extent to market forces. However, to enable the efficient development of those DR markets, network regulation has to adapt. (1) Network tariffs have to become more cost-reflective to provide correct incentives to market participants. The capacity tariffs have to increase, net-metering should be abolished, and optional tariff components for providing flexibility may need to be considered. (2) The regulation for distribution system operators (DSOs) may need to be fine-tuned to reflect their new roles. We present three scenarios: (a) a horizontal merger of unbundled DSOs under incentive regulation, (b) a DSO as a subsidiary of an integrated utility und... [more]

Including recycled waste material in cement mixes, as substitutes for natural aggregates, has resulted in diverse research projects, normally focused on mechanical capacities. In the case of recycled glass as an aggregate, this provides a noticeable improvement in thermal properties, depending on its dosage. This idea raises possible construction solutions that reduce the environmental impact and improves thermal behavior. For this research, an extended building typology that is susceptible to experiencing the risk of energy poverty has been chosen. The typology is typical for social housing, built using mortar blocks with crushed glass. First, the basic thermophysical properties of the mortars were determined by laboratory tests; after that, the dynamic thermal properties of representative constructive solutions using these mortars were simulated in seven representative climate zones in Chile. An analysis methodology based on periodic thermal transmittance, adaptive comfort levels and... [more]

The increasing demand for energy on a global scale, as well as the social pressure related to counteracting the effects of climate change, has created favourable conditions for the transformation of energy sectors towards the possession of low-emission generation sources. This situation, however, requires investment actions in order to modernise the existing power and CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plants and construct new units. These issues, together with the climate and energy policy pursued by the European Union, are the main reasons for the emergence of various governmental mechanisms supporting the replacement of old coal power units with highly efficient cogeneration units based on gas turbines and other units. The support may take different forms. This article discusses two examples of mechanisms available on the Polish market, i.e., (i) the capacity market and (ii) promoting electricity from high-efficiency cogeneration in the form of individual cogeneration premium. The purpos... [more]

Offshore wind could both play a significant role in decarbonising the global energy system and supporting the energy needs of cities. Recent trends in offshore wind have seen the installation of turbines in deeper and more remote waters due to the presence of stronger and more consistent wind resources. This has led to the development of floating foundations for turbine mounting in water depths above 40 m, where conventional bottom-fixed foundations are not considered economically feasible. However, due to its emerging nature, floating wind must attain market maturity to be considered cost competitive. It is a widely accepted belief that market expansion yields technological maturity. Therefore, this paper adopts a systems approach to investigate the viability of floating offshore wind power generation in Scotland and South Africa. It does this through a content analysis of relevant secondary documentation, including policy documents, industry reports, press releases, online publicatio... [more]

Energy transition in the European Union (EU) is strongly related to public support from structural funds which enable member states to create new and renovate existing renewable energy source (RES) installations. However, in order to maximize benefits of these investments it is crucial to consider where RES funds are allocated, how it corresponds with RES potential in specific locations, and how future implementation of energy policies can be improved. In this study, RES development projects supported by EU funds, implemented in the period 2004−2019 in Poland, were analyzed in relation to solar, wind and biomass energy potential. The study was conducted with the use of agglomeration method and k-mean method to define clusters of local administrative units characterized by similar features of RES funds absorption and renewable energy production potential. The results obtained show that in the case of all energy sources there is no correlation between high RES funds absorption and energy... [more]

Digital oil fields (DOFs) are built on data produced from energy technology innovation during the application of new technologies to oil resource development. In this study, this conversion is examined through the paradigm switch to “oil is the new data”. An analysis of related patents shows that DOF technology is developing through convergence and close links with other industries, specifically the equipment, parts, and material industries. Additionally, it is conjectured that the strategic preemption of standards will emerge as an important policy issue because a standard must be established for the interoperability of the elemental technologies of DOFs. Furthermore, with the expansion of DOF-related technologies, device-related technologies have also been developed. Of these device-related technologies, sensor technology specifically provides new possibilities for the development of DOFs. The significance of this study is that it explains the evolution of DOFs over the course of 10... [more]

Energy transition in the region of the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) has recently commenced and is now being implemented through large-scale renewable projects, nuclear plants, and energy efficiency measures in the built environment. This paper highlights how alternative energies are associated with non-economic factors such as prestige, modernity, and (soft or symbolic) power. It analyzes the specific ways of delivering energy diversification in the Gulf through renewable megaprojects, the reorganization of the energy sector, and the incorporation of nuclear energy as an add-on source. These decisions serve GCC states in showcasing modernity, maintaining centralized control, posturing geopolitically, and extending the rent distribution mechanisms. On one hand, the energy transition in the Gulf has been domesticated through policies and strategies suiting the political systems in the region. This can have an acceleration effect on this transition. On the other hand, the implications... [more]

The transition process towards renewable energy systems is facing challenges in both fluctuating electricity generation of photovoltaic and wind power as well as socio-economic disruptions. With regard to sector integration, solutions need to be developed, especially for the mobility and the industry sector, because their ad hoc electrification and decarbonization seem to be unfeasible. Power-to-fuel (P2F) technologies may contribute to bridge the gap, as renewable energy can be transferred into hydrogen and hydrocarbon-based synthetic fuels. However, the renewable fuels production is far from economically competitive with conventional fuels. With a newly developed agent-based model, potential developments in the German energy markets were simulated for a horizon of 20 years from 2016 to 2035. The model was constructed through a participatory modeling process with relevant actors and stakeholders in the field. Model findings suggest that adjusted regulatory framework conditions (e.g.,... [more]

Currently, Kenya depends mainly on oil, geothermal energy and hydro resources for electricity production, however all three have associated issues. Oil-based electricity generation is environmentally harmful, expensive and a burden to the national trade balance. The rivers for hydropower and their tributaries are found in arid and semi-arid areas with erratic rainfall leading to problems of supply security, and geothermal exploitation has cost and risk issues amongst others. Given these problems and the fact that Kenya has a significant yet underexploited potential for photo voltaic (PV)-based power generation, the limited—although growing—exploitation of solar PV in Kenya is explored in this paper as a means of diversifying and stabilising electricity supply. The potential for integration of PV into the Kenyan electricity generation mix is analysed together with the sociotechnical, economic, political, and institutional and policy barriers, which limit PV integration. We argue that th... [more]

Massive deployment of renewables is considered as a decisive step in most countries’ climate efforts. However, at the local scale, it is also perceived by many as a threat to their rich and diverse natural environment. With this perspective, we argue that this green versus green pseudo-dilemma highlights how crucial a broad societal buy-in is. New, transparent, participatory processes and mechanisms that are oriented toward social licensing can now be employed. A novel, integrative research agenda must orbit around co-creation to enable and promote resource co-management and co-ownership where possible, with increased consensus.

This article addresses issues related to the quality of design and subsequent management of multi-family residential buildings in the context of their energy supply. The framework of the analysis carried out here are pro-environmental legal regulations currently in force in Poland. This article describes the impact of these regulations on the design process and the role of the designer. The requirements have been defined and the constraints have been identified. A number of factors directly related to the nature and parameters of the designed buildings and their location have been taken into consideration. On the basis of this study, the impact of legal regulations both on the method of energy supply in the buildings and on their later use and management have been presented. Positive and negative aspects of the analyzed regulations have been indicated and directions for their evaluation and optimization have been proposed. The research was carried out using real buildings, both complet... [more]

A long-term sustainable energy transition can only be achieved by technological advancements and new approaches for efficiently integrating renewable energies into the overall energy system. Significantly increasing the share of renewable energy sources (RES) within the overall energy system requires appropriate network models of current transmission and distribution grids, which, as limiting factors of energy infrastructures, confine this share due to capacity constraints. However, especially regarding electrical network models, data (e.g., geographical data, load and generation profiles, etc.) is rarely available since it usually includes user-specific information and is, therefore, subject to data protection. Synthetically obtained electrical networks, on the other hand, may not be representative and may fail to replicate real grid structures due to the heterogeneous properties of currently operated networks. To account for this heterogeneity, this paper offers a contribution for th... [more]

This paper identifies and characterizes the technical measures and policy instruments that can be used to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable sources for domestic hot water (DHW). DHW presents a considerable potential for abatement of greenhouse gas emissions around the world. Measures were characterized in terms of level of transformation, impact and scope, among others. Policy instruments were characterized in terms of target groups, competences required for implementation, major challenges and nature of the instruments. A matrix showing the applicability of policy instruments per technical measure was derived, enabling policy makersto better choose articulated measures and policy instruments for their policy packs.

We report a potential self-reinforcing design flaw in the variable market premium scheme that occurs if variable renewable energy power plants receiving a premium become price-setting in the market. A high share of renewable energy is a goal of many countries on their transformation path to a sustainable future. Accordingly, policies like feed-in tariffs have been in place for many years in many countries to support investment. To foster market alignment, variable market premia have been introduced in at least 12 European countries and a further dozen additional countries world-wide. We demonstrate both with a mathematical model and different scenarios of an agent-based simulation that the combination of variable premia and a high share of hours in which renewables are price-setting may lead to a self-reinforcing downward spiral of prices if unchecked. This is caused by the market premium opening up the bidding space towards negative prices. We discuss possible objections and counterme... [more]

The paper presents a survey on the situation in terms of solutions for grid integration throughout the Mediterranean area in the framework of climate change and energy transition. The objective of the study is focused on Mediterranean region connectivity initiatives in the context of the broader vision of an interconnected European−Mediterranean (Euro−Med) power system for a future low-carbon energy system as the fundamental objective of Med-TSO, the Association of the Mediterranean Transmission System Operators (TSOs) for electricity. The analysis examines how the power grid connectivity evolves from now on to 2030, describing the progress made to date in integrating the power grids of the Mediterranean region as well as the future possibilities for a more integrated power grid covering the whole region. The research, conducted within Mediterranean Project II of Med-TSO, includes an overview on the current situation of the interconnections and the proposal for the 2030 interconnection... [more]

This paper explores the typo-morphologic characteristics of late 19th century hybrid neighbourhoods in urban regions of The Netherlands and possibilities of a feasible climate neutral energy system in the future. The Zeeheldenkwartier neighbourhood in The Hague is used as a case study. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are involved to ensure access to affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) and make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SDG 11). With the 2019 Dutch-Climate-Agreement The Netherlands decided on a neighbourhood approach to the transition from natural gas to a climate neutral energy supply in buildings. Implicit homogeneity in most buildings of neighbourhoods is presupposed, in contrast to older neighbourhoods that were laid out before World War I. These are nowadays heterogenic, attractive, mixed and often protected neighbourhoods because of the quality of the architecture. Establishing a generic energy plan here is a challenge. The foremost important conclusio... [more]

The tax structure capable of achieving an energy transition in the power sector was analyzed by applying the Pigouvian tax on generation fuels. Under the 2018 Tax Act Amendment, the tax rate criteria for the excise tax on power generation fuels changed from the calorific value to environmental externalities of the fuel. However, to reverse the merit order of bituminous coal generation with liquefied natural gas (LNG) generation, reflecting only some external costs of the environment as a tax is not enough. In this paper, we established four tax reform scenarios for bituminous coal and LNG considering environmental externalities, and we analyzed the reversal of dispatch priority using the electricity system unit commitment and M-Core economic dispatch model. According to the analysis results, the share of bituminous coal generation will be reduced to 10−20% depending on the scenario, reflecting the relative tax rate equalizing the fuel costs of bituminous coal and LNG power. To achieve... [more]

Research and Innovation (R&I) are a key part of the EU strategy towards stronger growth and the creation of more and better jobs while respecting social and climate objectives. In the last decades, improvements in costs and performance of low-carbon technologies triggered by R&I expenditures and learning-by-doing effects have increased their competitiveness compared to fossil fuel options. So, in the context of ambitious climate policies as described in the EU Green Deal, increased R&I expenditures can increase productivity and boost EU economic growth and competitiveness, especially in countries with large innovation and low-carbon manufacturing base. The analysis captures the different nature of public and private R&I, with the latter having more positive economic implications and higher efficiency as it is closer to industrial activities. Public R&D commonly focuses on immature highly uncertain technologies, which are also needed to achieve the climate neutrality target of the EU. T... [more]