This study analyzes the political viability of the Russia-North Korea-South Korea (RNS) gas pipeline project. This analysis demonstrates that North Korea’s fourth nuclear test in January 2016 changed the dynamic of the project. Before the test, when inter-Korean relations were good, South Korea and Russia could make efforts to secure political support for the project. However, after the fourth nuclear test, this was no longer the case. As North Korea’s nuclear power status became more evident, this nuclear problem began to have profound implications for U.S. security. In response, Washington not only led the UN Security Council to impose very severe sanctions against North Korea, but also placed its own sanctions on the country. These sanctions began to contain provisions that could prevent the implementation of the pipeline project. In addition to these sanctions, the U.S. sanctions against Russia in 2017 over its intervention in the U.S. election and aggression against Ukraine also c... [more]

The idea of a sustainable society comprises a consumer society that considers the welfare of the planet for future generations [...]

Online ride-hailing in China brings convenience for the public, but it has caused several problems, such as inadequate supervision, data security risks, and financial risks. This new industry has also disrupted the traditional taxi market. China’s government implemented some policies, which were initially disorderly tightening, and then formed the policy system responding to various needs for tackling these issues gradually. There were some policy fluctuations and regulatory effects during this period, therefore, it is imminent to evaluate the online ride-hailing policy text. In this paper, we took 43 online ride-hailing policies as samples, with the consideration of policy instruments and statistical inspection methods. In this paper, we also constructed an innovative three-dimensional analysis framework by combining content analysis, and further identify the ride-hailing policy development during different stages of development periods (2016−2022). Digging into the problems existing... [more]

This article discusses the queueing-inventory model with a cancellation policy and two classes of customers. The two classes of customers are named ordinary and impulse customers. A customer who does not plan to buy the product when entering the system is called an impulse customer. Suppose the customer enters into the system to buy the product with a plan is called ordinary customer. The system consists of a pool of finite waiting areas of size N and maximum S items in the inventory. The ordinary customer can move to the pooled place if they find that the inventory is empty under the Bernoulli schedule. In such a situation, impulse customers are not allowed to enter into the pooled place. Additionally, the pooled customers buy the product whenever they find positive inventory. If the inventory level falls to s, the replenishment of Q items is to be replaced immediately under the (s, Q) ordering principle. Both arrival streams occur according to the independent Markovian arrival proces... [more]

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems have been in use predominantly since the last decade. Inverter fed PV grid topologies are being used prominently to meet power requirements and to insert renewable forms of energy into power grids. At present, coping with growing electricity demands is a major challenge. This paper presents a detailed review of topological advancements in PV-Grid Tied Inverters along with the advantages, disadvantages and main features of each. The different types of inverters used in the literature in this context are presented. Reactive power is one of the ancillary services provided by PV. It is recommended that reactive power from the inverter to grid be injected for reactive power compensation in localized networks. This practice is being implemented in many countries, and researchers have been trying to find an optimal way of injecting reactive power into grids considering grid codes and requirements. Keeping in mind the importance of grid codes and standards, a re... [more]

Decarbonization by the mid-21st century requires strong commitment to greenhouse emission abatement measures, but national emission reduction pledges are made for the medium term. Achieving medium term targets without taking into account the long term can lead to a lock-in effect, binding countries in pathways that cannot lead to strong decarbonization. This paper sheds light in this issue by combining a theoretical approach with real-world engineering and cost data. We develop a constrained optimization model to examine least-cost greenhouse gas emission abatement pathways, taking into account (a) emission reduction objectives for two years: 2030 and 2050; and (b) the potential speed of implementation of each measure, which expresses technical and behavioural inertia in the deployment of a measure. We focus on European countries and economic sectors that are not subject to the EU Emissions Trading System. We derive relationships between 2030 abatement targets of varying ambition and t... [more]

With a continuously growing share of the world’s overall energy consumption, the transport sector has been acknowledged as one of the most important contributors to global carbon emissions. This paper applies a complete decomposition and decoupling analysis to investigate and quantitatively analyze the main factors influencing the energy-related carbon emissions of the transport (TCE) sector during 1995⁻2012 in Guangdong, the richest and most populated province in China. Results showed that decoupling level between transport output and TCE was relatively low, especially when compared with year 1995, in which case it remained as expansive coupling. Optimization of tertiary industry structure was the main factor inhibiting TCE increase. However the rapid growth of GDP per capita and population was more powerful at boosting TCE, resulting in elasticity index rising directly. 2005 was a turning point when environmental friendly policies took action, after which decoupling state improved si... [more]

The influence of context dynamics in the course of the climate change mitigation policy instruments’ (PIs) deployment cycle, usually causes a need for policy adaptation mechanisms to ensure that policies can meet the sector needs efficiently and effectively. In this paper, we argue that important contextual factors are the ones that are perceived to have a great impact over policy effectiveness by key related actors. By examining more thoroughly those effects over PIs, as perceived by policy and market actors, useful feedback on observed policy adaptations can be highlighted. In this context, the aim of this paper is to present a conceptual framework which seeks to investigate the impact of key external factors on policy decision-making. This framework is then applied to policies intended to foster sustainability in the Greek building sector. Contextual parameters that are influential over the effectiveness of the national energy conservation measures are identified through a stakehold... [more]

Local delivery of support to householders to reduce the exposure to, and impacts of, fuel poverty is attracting increasing policymaker interest, but there is a dearth of empirical research that describes and evaluates local support schemes. Community organisations are viewed as having great potential to aid this delivery, but research on how this could be achieved is scarce. The research presented in this paper responds to these needs through an exploratory study of the delivery of home energy advice visits in the UK. Data were collected through interviews and supporting documents from twelve projects and analysis examined the inter-relationships between the process, delivered outputs and impacts of each project. The research findings suggest that long-term local professional initiatives appear to be most effective at reaching and providing support to fuel poor households across a local area. Community organisations appear to have some potential to fill gaps in local provision and can... [more]

The purpose of the article is to analyse the level of energy poverty in the EU member states for the period 2010−2020. The research was carried out on the basis of the author’s Synthetic Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index created on the basis of the zero-unitarization method. The proposed index allowed for the integration of 4 out of 13 indicators provided for the study of energy poverty in the Recommendation of the European Commission 2020, and 1 selected by the authors. The assessment of changes in the level of energy poverty over time in 24 EU countries using the method used adds value compared to the assessment methods used so far in this area. Previous studies of energy poverty levels have focused on individual countries or small groups of countries. Rarely have such studies covered the majority of EU countries, and even more rarely have they been conducted over a long period of time. The study carried out showed significant differences in energy poverty levels among EU members... [more]

Bangladesh is blessed with abundant solar resources. Solar power is considered the most desirable energy source to mitigate the high energy demand of this densely populated country. Although various articles deal with solar energy applications in Bangladesh, no detailed review can be found in the literature. Therefore, in this study, we report on the current scenario of renewable energy in Bangladesh and the most significant potential of solar energy’s contribution among multiple renewable energy resources in mitigating energy demand. One main objective of this analysis was to outline the overall view of solar energy applications in Bangladesh to date, as well as the ongoing development of such projects. The technical and theoretical solar energy potential and the technologies available to harvest solar energy were also investigated. A detailed techno-economic design of solar power applications for the garment industry was also simulated to determine the potential of solar energy for t... [more]

GDP, monetary variables, corruption, and uncertainty are crucial to energy policy decisions in today’s interrelated world. The global energy crisis, aggravated by rising energy prices, has sparked a thorough analysis of its causes. We demonstrate the significance of categorizing research by influence channels while focusing on their implications for energy policy decisions. We investigate the growing number of studies that use GDP, inflation, central banks’ characteristics, corruption, and uncertainty as critical factors in determining energy policies. Energy prices fluctuate because energy policies shift the supply−demand equilibrium. We categorise the effects and show that GDP, economic policy uncertainty, and, most notably, specific economic conditions and extreme events play a significant role in determining energy prices. We observed that energy consumption, GDP growth, and energy prices have a bidirectional, causal relationship. Still, the literature has not established which cau... [more]

Hydrogen is a promising fuel to decarbonize aviation, but macroeconomic studies are currently missing. Computable general equilibrium (CGE) models are suitable to conduct macroeconomic analyses and are frequently employed in hydrogen and aviation research. The main objective of this paper is to investigate existing CGE studies related to (a) hydrogen and (b) aviation to derive a macroeconomic research agenda for hydrogen-powered aviation. Therefore, the well-established method of systematic literature review is conducted. First, we provide an overview of 18 hydrogen-related and 27 aviation-related CGE studies and analyze the literature with respect to appropriate categories. Second, we highlight key insights and identify research gaps for both the hydrogen- and aviation-related CGE literature. Our findings comprise, inter alia, hydrogen’s current lack of cost competitiveness and the macroeconomic relevance of air transportation. Research gaps include, among others, a stronger focus on... [more]

Loss of production due to local water scarcity, i.e., Local Water Scarcity Risk (LWSR), is transferred downstream through international supply chains to distant economies, causing potential economic losses to countries and sectors that do not directly experience actual water scarcity, which is defined as Virtual Water Scarcity Risk (VWSR). Much research has focused on assessing VWSR and characterizing the structure of VWSR transfer networks, without explaining the formation and dynamics of VWSR transfer network patterns. In this study, the global VWSR transfer networks for 2001−2016 are then constructed based on a multi-regional input-output model and complex network theory. The determinants influencing the formation of VWSR transfer networks are further explored using the time-exponential random graph model. The results demonstrate that: (1) The VWSR transfer networks exhibit a distinctly small-world and heterogeneous nature; (2) Asia and Europe are the main targets of VWSR transfers,... [more]

Energy context has been the subject of a great deal of research from different perspectives, including, but not limited to: energy transition, renewable energy, nuclear power, energy saving, energy use, energy level, energy trade, energy security, traction energy, energy communities, energy poverty, Energy Performance Contracting (EPC), climate change, climate policy, and climate sustainability [...]

Electricity consumption and government policy are two vital elements for economic growth. Thus, this study explores the roles of electricity use and government policy in the economic growth of the selected four South Asian countries over the period from 1980 to 2014. The study includes the government policy variable in the extended Cobb−Douglas production function of the electricity driven growth model, which was absent in earlier studies. The pooled mean group-based panel autoregressive distributed lag (P-ARDL) method is used for empirical investigation, while fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) methods are used for checking the sensitivity of the P-ARDL estimates. Our results reveal that the effects of electricity, government spending, financial development and capital formation have significant positive effects on the economic growth of South Asia. However, exports and imports are found to have detrimental effects. Causality test re... [more]

Energy security affects the functioning of countries politically, economically, and socially. Energy is an important factor in sustainable development efforts. Hence, countries are assessing their energy systems for compatibility with sustainable development goals by creating new concepts for energy development. Combining the concepts of energy security and sustainable energy consumption, an analysis of the differentiation of EU countries in terms of selected indicators indicated in Goal 7 of Agenda 2030 was carried out in dynamic terms. Two groups of indicators were distinguished. One group of indicators was selected to represent the changes in energy demand reported by final consumers, taking into account the use of energy obtained from renewable sources. The second group of indicators represents those relating to the security of supply of raw materials, i.e., energy dependency indicators broken down by major energy commodities and an energy productivity indicator. The analysis uses... [more]

In January 2019, the Canadian province of Alberta enacted limits on crude oil and bitumen production. These production controls, a policy referred to as curtailment, represent a shift for a government that historically avoided market intervention. The policy was designed to shrink a growing and prolonged price differential between the Western Canadian Select price of oil, the key benchmark for Alberta’s heavy oil production, and the West Texas Intermediate benchmark. The curtailment created artificial scarcity, shrinking the price differential from more than $40 USD per barrel in November 2018 to less than $15 USD per barrel in February 2019. In the process, this policy transferred market surplus from refiners, mainly those in the US Midwest, to producers in Alberta. We review this large-scale market intervention and calculate the magnitude of the economic transfer. We find the curtailment increased producer surplus by $659M CAD per month and reduced consumer surplus by $763M per month... [more]

Increasing biogas production in the Three Seas Initiative countries (3SI) is a good way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to increase energy self-sufficiency by replacing some of the fossil energy sources. An assessment of the biogas production potential carried out for the 3SI at the NUTS 1 and NUTS 2 level shows that the potential of this energy carrier was stable for the period (from 2010−2021). The results showed that it can cover from approximately 10% (Hungary, Slovakia) to more than 34% (Estonia, Slovenia) of natural gas consumption; moreover, there is strong variation in the value of potential at the regional level (NUTS 2) in most of the countries studied. The biogas production forecast was carried out with the ARIMA model using four regressors, which are GDP, biogas potential utilisation, natural gas consumption and investments in RES (renewable energy sources) infrastructure, including changes in the EU energy policy after 24 February 2022. In the most promising scenari... [more]

Global climate policy commitments are encouraging the development of EU energy policies aimed at paving the way for cleaner energy systems. This article reviews key decarbonization drivers for Italy considering higher environmental targets from recent European Union climate policies. Energy efficiency, the electrification of final consumption, the development of green fuels, increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the electric system, and carbon capture and storage are reviewed. A 2030 scenario is designed to forecast the role of decarbonization drivers in future energy systems and to compare their implementation with that in the current situation. Energy efficiency measures will reduce final energy consumption by 15.6%, as primary energy consumption will decrease by 19.8%. The electrification of final consumption is expected to increase by 6.08%. The use of green fuels is estimated to triple as innovative fuels may go to market at scale to uphold the ambitious decarbonizat... [more]

The objective of this work is to analyze the possibility of compliance with the objectives committed to by the Canary Islands authorities, which aim to reach a completely decarbonized economy by 2040, meaning ten years earlier than the entire EU. Since historically, energy planning in the Canary Islands did not achieve its objectives by far, we will first identify the historical obstacles which had prevented the achievement of this planification, to later highlight the main differences between the energy transition foreseen by the current planning instruments of the government of the Canary Islands and the expected evolution of the energy transition of the archipelago. Beyond this point, and, within the frame of energy governance, we will understand how the root of this failure lies in planning instruments developed hierarchically, without including the view of the different stakeholders involved in the process. The final goal, after identifying the main barriers faced by the energy tr... [more]

The building sector is crucial in all of the possible net zero scenarios suggested for the European Union. In this area, the Italian situation is exemplary. Italy suffers from an aging and low-performance building stock and needs to increase its annual rate of energy retrofits in order to achieve its 2030 and 2050 targets. Even though since at least 2007, several different incentives schemes intended to stimulate energy-efficiency interventions have been in place, Italy has not been sufficiently able to promote deep retrofits. In 2020, in order to help the economy recover after the lockdowns that were introduced to face the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the existing incentives were increased to up to 110% of investments for interventions that improved the energy class by at least two grades. This so-called “Superbonus” was also extended to the public social housing sector thanks to a credit assignment scheme. Given the results of this provisional phase, a possible policy roadma... [more]

The EU presently orientates its policy to a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy. In this paper, we evaluate the current situation and the developments in greenhouse gas emissions, and we will evaluate carbon resource usage in chosen EU countries from the viewpoint of greenhouse gas emission per capita, energy production in the EU, energy dependence of EU countries, and final energy consumption. We will analyze and evaluate the data available from the Eurostat database through regression and cluster analysis using JMP 15 statistical software. The results show significant differences in the individual countries, and they can be used for determination of the energy policy in the individual states.

Energy efficiency is one of the most powerful strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing energy demand, which in turn reduces the emissions of Green House Gases (GHG), as well as reducing the burden on the supply side renewable generation expansion. Because electric motors systems represent such a large share of the overall electricity consumption (over 50%), large savings potential could be made available by the use of energy-efficient motor systems both in new installations and by accelerating the replacement of old inefficient motors. Since electric motors are very reliable, their lifetime is long (according to recent studies it may exceed 20 years) which translates into a very inefficient existing stock despite worldwide policy efforts. This paper analyzes the current efficiency of the installed stock and the causes for its low efficiency, possible policy options to increase its the efficiency, the role of new technologies and improvements possible by targetin... [more]

Intermittent forms of renewable energy destabilize electricity grids unless adequate reliable generating capacity and storage are available, while instability of hybrid electricity grids and cost fluctuations in fossil fuel prices pose further challenges for policymakers. We examine the interaction between renewable and traditional fossil-fuel energy sources in the context of the Alberta electricity grid, where policymakers seek to eliminate coal and reduce reliance on natural gas. We develop a policy model of the Alberta grid and, unlike earlier models, calibrate the cost functions of thermal generation using positive mathematical programming. Rather than employing constant average and marginal costs, calibration determines upward sloping supply (marginal cost) functions. The calibrated model is then used to determine an optimal generation mix under different assumptions regarding carbon prices and policies to eliminate coal-fired capacity. Results indicate that significant wind capac... [more]