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This issue presents some of the latest findings within energy planning research and form a special issue from the 2021 5th Annual Conference of the Portuguese Association of Energy Economics as well as for the 2020 Sustainable Development of Energy, Waste and Environmental Systems conference series. The work presented probes into the effects of the European emissions��� trading system on innovation, and the development of the Chinese wind power industry. Notable is also an analysis of people at Portuguese universities revealing lesser knowledge of renewable energy technologies but a more positive attitude towards this among women ��� and vice versa among men. EnergyPLAN-based energy systems analyses with cases from Iran and Serbia are presented, and different indicators for energy systems analyses are deliberated in a Mexican context. Marine energy developments in Columbia, the United Kingdom, Canada and Denmark are discussed with a focus on siting and barriers. Also, barriers against solar energy exploitation in Indonesia are explored as are barriers against energy savings in Nigeria., International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, Vol. 32 (2021)

International audience

The overall objective of LOCOMOTION is to enhance existing Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) in order to provide policy makers and relevant stakeholders with a reliable and practical model system to assess the feasibility, effectiveness, costs and impacts of different sustainability policy options, and to identify the most effective transition pathways towards a low-carbon society. Focusing on storylines/narratives that describe broad socioeconomic trends that could be followed by societies in the future, this Deliverable provides context for the WILAM model. It includes compilation of LOCOMOTION storylines on the basis of the existing or revised/adapted storylines usually applied in global environmental assessments and takes into account the preferences of stakeholders. Furthermore, within this Deliverable, the WILIAM overall goals have been linked to storylines and storyline goals (drivers) specifically. Finally, in coordination with modelling teams, initial qualitative interpretation of the storylines is conducted in order to provide meaningful model inputs for the quantification and simulation of different scenarios.

This report is the second deliverable of the WP9 “Technical coordination and quality assurance” LOCOMOTION project. The joint development of an IAM simulation model between various research groups requires a significant effort in technical coordination. The adoption of common rules and procedures for modelling and programming are essential for the effectiveness of work. Much work has been done in these lines since the publication of D9.1, such as regional disaggregation heterogeneity and units consistency, including also the development of specific new tools. Work has also advanced in WP8 with relation to the description of scenarios (storylines and policies selection) selected to be tested within the full WILIAM in the close future. But the focus of this deliverable is the current, interim, stage of the WILIAM model, taking as reference the modules which compose it: economy, finance, demography, society, land and water, climate, materials and energy. Here we report the interim synthesis of the model, selected results and scenario assessment, which is an intermediary step before the finalization and documentation of the finalized model in D9.3, where the key outcomes associated with the different scenarios resulting from the set of policies assessed will allow to derive a normative set of proposals to deal with low-carbon transition. WILIAM is being developed in a sequential way, from modules to full model, and from simpler to more complex structures in order to facilitate the progressive development, integration and validation of each of the modules which compose the whole model ; with benefits also for allowing the parallel development of Python translation and end-user interfaces. An overview of the current state of development of WILIAM by (sub)modules (or Gitlab branches) at the time of the submission of this report, achieved after 5 successive integrations achieved between May 2021 and November 2021. For each module it is reported (a) a short description of the module, (b) main equations, (c) module variables and parameters, (d) data sources and (e) validation & preliminary results. Attending to the current development stage, a selection of results is provided focusing on those more mature (sub)modules.

International audience

The focus of this report is on EU policies for the decarbonisation of passenger and freight transport, on urban and inter-urban roads in the period from 2020 to 2050, when major changes are expected to result from replacing gasoline and diesel engine vehicles with low- emission vehicles, and from the continuing growth in the use of ICT. Key issues include the need to contain growth of transport demand, the need for more low-carbon electricity generation to support the electrification of vehicle powertrains in parallel with growing demands for electricity from industry and the buildings sector, new business models for road vehicle ownership and use, and the introduction of autonomous vehicles. The report reviews and analyses the available scientific evidence relating to the management of road transport demand, mobility and traffic, as well as driver behaviour and decision-making, clean vehicle powertrains and energy carriers (fuels), the implications of coupling with the electricity sector, and the overall design and operation of road transport systems. Policies relating to other forms of transport, including rail, inland waterways, maritime and aviation, are also briefly addressed.

The report offers a simplified system analysis of service delivery, which highlights a few key features. 1) Using C-rich synthetic fuels requires the use of large amounts of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and other carbon-free energies – much larger than what is required when RES electricity or green-hydrogen is used directly for consumption. 2) Such a decrease in efficiency in the use of RES may be acceptable in the provision of: a) C-rich synthetic fuels to power long-range aircraft and long-haul ships ; and/or b) long-term storage and long- range transport of defossilised energy to compensate for the intermittency of RES. 3) For such uses, CCU-based solutions should be assessed in comparison with other alternative technologies that are beyond the scope of this report.

This editorial introduces the 11th volume of the International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management. The volume addresses smart energy systems and the optimal ways of integrating renewable energy into these. Two of the contributions are from the perspective of energy storage with one arguing that other storage options are preferable to designated electricity storage. This includes thermal storages for house heating and gas and liquid fuel storage for e.g. the transportation sector. Secondly, a paper investigates more narrowly communal vs individual electricity storage in residential PV systems with a view to lowering grid dependency. Lastly, an analysis investigates the role of flexible electricity demand as a means to integrate fluctuating renewable energy sources such as wind and PV., International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, Vol 11 (2016)

Hybridisation of district heating systems can contribute to more efficient heat generation through cogeneration power plants or through an increase in the share of renewable energy sources in total energy consumption while reducing negative aspects of particular energy source utilisation. In this work, the performance of a hybrid district energy system for a small town in Croatia has been analysed. A mathematical model for process analysis and optimisation algorithm for optimal system configuration have been developed and described. The main goal of the system optimisation is to reduce heat production costs. Several energy sources for heat production have been considered in 8 different simulation cases. Simulation results show that the heat production costs could be reduced with introduction of different energy systems into an existing district heating system. Renewable energy based district heating systems could contribute to heat production costs decrease in district heating systems up to 30% in comparison with highly efficient heat production technologies based on conventional fuels.

This report presents the results of project Task 2.2 ‘stakeholder mapping’ , which is an important initial step of the project, and has consisted on the identification and analysis of a range of relevant stakeholders in each country. The selection of the stakeholders have followed a preliminary discussion between the partners where the key roles of energy efficient urban regeneration projects were identified, through the different stages of the process, and considering local, regional, national and international levels. The identification of the roles took into consideration inputs from Task 2.1 where the analysis of the framework for urban regeneration was carried. For the selection of stakeholders, it was ensured that they covered the key issues related to legislation and policy, financing, and management of the projects identified in the framework report.

This issue presents research results from the 8th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems – SDEWES - held in Dubrovnik, Croatia in 2013. Topics covered here include the energy situation in the Middle East with a focus in Cyprus and Israel, energy planning methodology with Ireland as a case and the applicability of energy scenarios modelling tools as a main focus, evaluation of energy demands in Italy and finally evaluation of underground cables vs overhead lines and lacking public acceptance of incurring additional costs for the added benefit of having transmission beyond sight., International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, Vol 3 (2014)

The liquid Diesel fuel is usually injected into the combustion chamber by using an injector as atomizing system. The Injected liquid fuel disintegrates into numerous droplets that penetrate into the combustion chamber. This process, called atomization, involves primary break-up of the liquid core followed by secondary break-up. Primary break-up occurs in near nozzle region while secondary break-up occurs in the downstream spray zone. The understanding of the spray process is of significant importance for emission prediction. This poster shows the comparison of two common models used for spray calculation – Eulerian Eulerian and Eulerian Lagrangian model. Also, use of coupled simulations is shown. Coupled simulations combine advantages of each spray model and they are used for calculation of spray, combustion and emission in IC engine.

In this paper use of plate heat exchanger in the municipal district heating for the development of more sustainable hot water supply systems is analysed. To reduce the cost of coolant and the cost of its transportation a two-stage mixed scheme has been proposed, allowing the use of warm return water heating system to preheat the cold water source. Moreover, to make solution more sustainable, effective selection of heat exchanger in the same scheme could utilize low temperature sources such as geothermal, solar or waste heat. Two-stage hot water circuits are more expensive and its value relative to the parallel circuit is 2-2.5 times higher, depending on the ratio of heating and hot water loads. Application of two-stage scheme allows for the same load of hot water to save up to 30% of the carrier relative to its consumption for the conventional parallel scheme. So the benefits from getting higher efficiencies and lower operation costs must be weighed against the higher costs of installations. Effectiveness and reliability of the proposing method is demonstrated on the real heat point calculation while the possibilities for installation in combination with renewable low heat sources are analysed for Ukraine, Croatia and Hungary. The sustainability of solution is reflected trough economical, environmental and evaluation of security of supply.

This deliverable D1.1.1 reports on the state-of-the-art control methods for integrating distributed generation sources and storage devices into a microgrid. Additionally it reports on the power management of a microgrid in grid-connected and islanded operation mode. Finally, a DC microgrid setup in the Laboratory for Renewable Energy Systems at the Department of Control and Computer Engineering is described.

Many island power systems are powered by diesel generators or long underwater cables, which result in greater operating costs or losses than stand alone systems. It is therefore desirable to integrate renewable energy (RE) sources into these mini grids. The main objective of the paper is to describe, analyse and present a more unified approach for assessing the technical feasibility/potential of different energy scenarios for the Islands of Malta. In this study, three different scenarios are analysed. Integrating RE Sources (RES) in energy systems reduces losses, cuts diesel fuel consumption, whilst maintaining system stability and increases job opportunities. Hydrogen conversion and storage methods are also analysed as a method for Green House Gas (GHG) reduction in the transport sector and as a way to reduce excess electricity produced from RE.

Although the countries of the Western Balkans are mostly electrified, there are still regions which do not have access to the electricity network or where the network capacity is insufficient. For the most part such areas are under special care of the state (i. e. underdeveloped, devastated by war, depopulated), on islands or in mountainous regions. Since the decentralized energy generation covers a broad range of technologies, including many renewable energy technologies that provide small-scale power at sites close to the users, such concept could be of interest for these locations. This paper identifies the areas in Western Balkans where such systems could be applied. Consideration is given to geographical locations as well as possible applications. Wind, hydro, solar photovoltaic, and biomass conversion systems were taken into consideration. Since the renewable energy sources data for Western Balkans region are rather scarce, the intention was to give a survey of the present situation and an estimate of future potential for decentralized energy generation based on renewable energy sources. The decentralized energy generation based on renewable energy sources in Western Balkans will find its niche easier for the users that will produce electricity for their own needs and for the users located in remote rural areas (off-grid applications).

Air pollution is a substantial environmental health risk in Europe. The municipal activity of waste collection contributes to air pollution. When collecting household waste via a door-to-door collection system the collection vehicles drive down all streets to empty the bins on the curb. In this paper we therefore deal with the question of whether the introduction of an underground waste container system, in which waste would be collected at central locations in so-called underground waste containers with a much larger capacity, is a sensible alternative that leads to less traffic and therefore less air pollution. We compare the costs of the two systems using two different optimization problems. On the basis of extended, artificial instances from the literature, we show the great potential for cost reduction of an underground waste collection system in comparison to a door-to-door collection system. The distances to be covered by the refuse collection vehicles can be significantly reduced, which is particularly important in times of air pollution.

Several countries have recently realized that the present paradigm of development in environmental and energy fields is unsustainable. As global awareness of environmental issues grows, governments worldwide are promoting policies which aim to limit the harmful effects of human development on the environment. In particular, these novel policies seek to address therapid increase of the global temperature (especially in the polar regions) as well as to manage human plastic waste accumulating in seas. To resolve these issues will require a number of actions to be implemented; unfortunately, the recent COP 24 Conference was unsuccessful in establishing a global agreement to achieve these actions. In order for the upcoming 2020 COP 26 Conference to besuccessful in creating such an agreement, the scientific community must support the policymakers’ efforts. Within this framework, it is necessary to show the efforts of countries worldwide as they try to negotiate an agreement to increase the energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, the research reports generated can provide quantitative measures of the necessary actions to be implemented in order to address sustainable and efficient energy use. Among other topics, the papers presented in this issue investigate innovations in novel efficient and environmentally friendly technologies mainly based on renewable energy sources. The study also highlights the different sectors involved in this task, such as energy conversion systems, urban areas, mobility, sustainability, water management, social aspects, etc. In this field, the Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) conference provides the foremost forum fordiscussion on these topics. The 13th Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems Conference was held in Palermo, Italy in 2018. This Special Issue of Energies, precisely dedicated to 13th SDEWES Conference, features papers in three main topics: Energy policy and energy efficiency in urban areas, energy efficiency in industry, biomass and other miscellaneousenergy systems.

Several countries have recently realized that the present paradigm of development in environmental and energy fields is unsustainable. As global awareness of environmental issues grows, governments worldwide are promoting policies which aim to limit the harmful effects of human development on the environment. In particular, these novel policies seek to address therapid increase of the global temperature (especially in the polar regions) as well as to manage human plastic waste accumulating in seas. To resolve these issues will require a number of actions to be implemented; unfortunately, the recent COP 24 Conference was unsuccessful in establishing a global agreement to achieve these actions. In order for the upcoming 2020 COP 26 Conference to besuccessful in creating such an agreement, the scientific community must support the policymakers’ efforts. Within this framework, it is necessary to show the efforts of countries worldwide as they try to negotiate an agreement to increase the energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, the research reports generated can provide quantitative measures of the necessary actions to be implemented in order to address sustainable and efficient energy use. Among other topics, the papers presented in this issue investigate innovations in novel efficient and environmentally friendly technologies mainly based on renewable energy sources. The study also highlights the different sectors involved in this task, such as energy conversion systems, urban areas, mobility, sustainability, water management, social aspects, etc. In this field, the Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) conference provides the foremost forum fordiscussion on these topics. The 13th Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems Conference was held in Palermo, Italy in 2018. This Special Issue of Energies, precisely dedicated to 13th SDEWES Conference, features papers in three main topics: Energy policy and energy efficiency in urban areas, energy efficiency in industry, biomass and other miscellaneousenergy systems.

Energy policies accompanying the transition towards a sustainable development process must be supported by technical analyses in which future energy scenarios are modeled and evaluated. This paper analyzes possible decarbonization scenarios in Italy for the year 2050. They envisage high electrification of transports and residential buildings, high use of renewable energies, and a modal shift towards public transport. The energy scenarios are evaluated using a software program, EnergyPLAN, starting from a reference model developed for the year 2014. Special attention has been given to the modeling of data that are unavailable in the literature, such as the time profile of heating and cooling demands, obtained with the degree-days method and validated by elaborating the results of the modeling of the residential building stock, this latter was dynamically simulated in TRNSYS. The results show that to obtain a significant decrease of greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption, it is necessary not only to promote a deeper penetration of renewable sources, but also their integration with other technologies (cogeneration, trigeneration, power-to-heat systems, thermal storage, vehicle-to-grid operations). In fact, renewables technologies alone can raise some critical issues, such as excess and/or shortage of electricity production and non-sustainable exploitation of biomass.

EU energy policy is more and more promoting a resilient, efficient and sustainable energy system. Several agreements have been signed in the last few months that set ambitious goals in terms of energy efficiency and emission reductions and to reduce the energy consumption in buildings. These actions are expected to fulfill the goals negotiated at the Paris Agreement in 2015. The successful development of this ambitious energy policy needs to be supported by scientific knowledge: a huge effort must be made in order to develop more efficient energy conversion technologies based both on renewables and fossil fuels. Similarly, researchers are also expected to work on the integration of conventional and novel systems, also taking into account the needs for the management of the novel energy systems in terms of energy storage and devices management. Therefore, a multi-disciplinary approach is required in order to achieve these goals. To ensure that the scientists belonging to the different disciplines are aware of the scientific progress in the other research areas, specific Conferences are periodically organized. One of the most popular conferences in this area is the Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) Series Conference. The 12th Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems Conference was recently held in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The present Special Issue of Energies, specifically dedicated to the 12th SDEWES Conference, is focused on five main fields: energy policy and energy efficiency in smart energy systems, polygeneration and district heating, advanced combustion techniques and fuels, biomass and building efficiency.

This paper discusses the prospective of renewable energy in the process of sustainable development in China. Along with the high-speed economic development and increasing energy consumption, the Chinese Government faces a growing pressure to maintain the balance between energy supply and demand as well as reduce environmental pollution. To ensure energy security and mitigate climate changes the inappropriate energy consumption structure should be changed. As an alternative, a suitable infrastructure for the implementation of renewable energy may serve as a long-term sustainable possibility. Such sustainable energy strategy typical involves three technologies issue: energy conservation, efficiency improvement and replacement fossil fuel by renewable energy sources. Denmark is an example of such strategy can be implemented and it shows the possibility of converting into a 100% renewable energy system. This paper analyses the current status and programming of renewable energy utilization in China and compares the potential of renewable energy sources and energy demand between China and Denmark. It proposes and discusses a forward-looking issue that is the perspective of a 100% renewable energy system in China. The conclusion is such development is not impossible in the future in terms of technology and domestic resources. Due to the uncertainty of estimation and exploitation level of renewable energy sources, energy conservation and efficiency improvement are essential for China to achieving the sustainable energy development. This paper discusses the prospective of renewable energy in the process of sustainable development in China. Along with the high-speed economic development and increasing energy consumption, the Chinese Government faces a growing pressure to maintain the balance between energy supply and demand as well as reduce environmental pollution. To ensure energy security and mitigate climate changes the inappropriate energy consumption structure should be changed. As an alternative, a suitable infrastructure for the implementation of renewable energy may serve as a long-term sustainable possibility. Such sustainable energy strategy typical involves three technologies issue: energy conservation, efficiency improvement and replacement fossil fuel by renewable energy sources. Denmark is an example of such strategy can be implemented and it shows the possibility of converting into a 100% renewable energy system. This paper analyses the current status and programming of renewable energy utilization in China and compares the potential of renewable energy sources and energy demand between China and Denmark. It proposes and discusses a forward-looking issue that is the perspective of a 100% renewable energy system in China. The conclusion is such development is not impossible in the future in terms of technology and domestic resources. Due to the uncertainty of estimation and exploitation level of renewable energy sources, energy conservation and efficiency improvement are essential for China to achieving the sustainable energy development.

This paper presents the methodology and results of the overall energy system analysis of a 100 per cent renewable energy system. The input for the systems is the result of a project of the Danish Association of Engineers, in which 1600 participants during more than 40 seminars discussed and designed a model for the future energy system of Denmark, putting emphasis on energy efficiency, CO2 reduction, and industrial development.The energy system analysis methodology includes hour by hour computer simulations leading to the design of flexible energy systems with the ability to balance the electricity supply and demand and to exchange electricity productions on the international electricity markets.The results are detailed system designs and energy balances for two energy target years: year 2050 with 100 per cent renewable energy from biomass and combinations of wind, wave and solar power; and year 2030 with 50 per cent renewable energy, emphasising the first important steps on the way. For the first step until 2030, the results include detailed socio- economic feasibility studies, electricity market trade calculations, and sensitivity analyses.The conclusion is that a 100 per cent renewable energy supply based on domestic resources is physically possible, and that the first step toward 2030 is feasible to Danish society. However, Denmark will have to consider to which degree the country shall rely mostly on biomass resources, which will involve the reorganisation of the present use of farming areas, or mostly on wind power, which will involve a large share of hydrogen or similar energy carriers leading to certain inefficiencies in the system design. This paper presents the methodology and results of the overall energy system analysis of a 100 per cent renewable energy system. The input for the systems is the result of a project of the Danish Association of Engineers, in which 1600 participants during more than 40 seminars discussed and designed a model for the future energy system of Denmark, putting emphasis on energy efficiency, CO2 reduction, and industrial development.The energy system analysis methodology includes hour by hour computer simulations leading to the design of flexible energy systems with the ability to balance the electricity supply and demand and to exchange electricity productions on the international electricity markets.The results are detailed system designs and energy balances for two energy target years: year 2050 with 100 per cent renewable energy from biomass and combinations of wind, wave and solar power; and year 2030 with 50 per cent renewable energy, emphasising the first important steps on the way. For the first step until 2030, the results include detailed socio- economic feasibility studies, electricity market trade calculations, and sensitivity analyses.The conclusion is that a 100 per cent renewable energy supply based on domestic resources is physically possible, and that the first step toward 2030 is feasible to Danish society. However, Denmark will have to consider to which degree the country shall rely mostly on biomass resources, which will involve the reorganisation of the present use of farming areas, or mostly on wind power, which will involve a large share of hydrogen or similar energy carriers leading to certain inefficiencies in the system design.

Wind power is a maturing technology that in a number of countries is likely to contribute a major share to fully renewable energy systems. Denmark has a comparably long history of wind power development and is planning to continue expanding the existing capacity. If a large-scale penetration of wind power is to be achieved, an integrated framework is needed that can respond to the associated challenges. This paper argues for adopting an integrated macro perspective when evaluating and building frameworks to support wind power development. This macro perspective is applied to the case of Denmark, and more specifically to concrete wind power projects in the region of Northern Jutland. The results suggest although certain elements in the legislation have been improved, the feasibility of wind power projects cannot be guaranteed, and there is a tendency to exclude smaller turbines from the development. Wind power is a maturing technology that in a number of countries is likely to contribute a major share to fully renewable energy systems. Denmark has a comparably long history of wind power development and is planning to continue expanding the existing capacity. If a large-scale penetration of wind power is to be achieved, an integrated framework is needed that can respond to the associated challenges. This paper argues for adopting an integrated macro perspective when evaluating and building frameworks to support wind power development. This macro perspective is applied to the case of Denmark, and more specifically to concrete wind power projects in the region of Northern Jutland. The results suggest although certain elements in the legislation have been improved, the feasibility of wind power projects cannot be guaranteed, and there is a tendency to exclude smaller turbines from the development.

Governments worldwide aim at reducing CO2 emissions and expanding renewable energy. A key element in achieving such a goal is to use renewable energy in transport such as biofuels. However, efforts to promote single transport technologies and single fuels only represent a partial solution. No single technology can solve the problem of ever increasing CO2 emissions from transport. Transport must be integrated into energy planning, as electricity and heating. In this paper, a coherent effort to integrate transport into energy planning is proposed, using multiple means promoting sustainable transport.It is concluded that a 100 per cent renewable energy transport system is possible but is connected to significant challenges in the path towards it. Biomass is a limited resource and it is important to avoid effecting the production. The integration of the transport with the remaining energy system is crucial as is a multi-pronged strategy. Short term solutions have to consider the long term goal. In a short term proposal for 2030 it is concluded that it is possible both to reduce CO2 emissions substantially and, at the same time, gain socio-economic benefits. Biofuels is not able to solve the problems within the transport sector but plays an important role in combination with other technologies. Governments worldwide aim at reducing CO2 emissions and expanding renewable energy. A key element in achieving such a goal is to use renewable energy in transport such as biofuels. However, efforts to promote single transport technologies and single fuels only represent a partial solution. No single technology can solve the problem of ever increasing CO2 emissions from transport. Transport must be integrated into energy planning, as electricity and heating. In this paper, a coherent effort to integrate transport into energy planning is proposed, using multiple means promoting sustainable transport.It is concluded that a 100 per cent renewable energy transport system is possible but is connected to significant challenges in the path towards it. Biomass is a limited resource and it is important to avoid effecting the production. The integration of the transport with the remaining energy system is crucial as is a multi-pronged strategy. Short term solutions have to consider the long term goal. In a short term proposal for 2030 it is concluded that it is possible both to reduce CO2 emissions substantially and, at the same time, gain socio-economic benefits. Biofuels is not able to solve the problems within the transport sector but plays an important role in combination with other technologies.