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Traditional energy planning methods are mostly related to newly-built area. However, in most already-built regions, the existing district energy systems (DESs) need to be ameliorated due to insufficient capacity and low efficiency. This paper investigates the methodology of expansion planning, which can offer planners a viable way to expand existing DESs. The term “expansion” aims to increase the supply capacity of the energy forms, e.g., steam, hot water and electricity, which cannot be accessed from national or urban energy supply network, and meanwhile increase energy utilization efficiency and cut CO 2 emission. Three parts of the methodology, including problem analysis in current DESs, demand side analysis and the existing DES expansion, are introduced in this paper. New concepts of load structure and evaluation system of the whole district are proposed in this methodology. A case analysis of Ningbo Hi-Tech District, China is conducted to shed light on the application of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The main aim of this paper is to review of the current state of energy systems in the Western Balkans countries. The paper gives a review of the individual parameters relating to energy development, defines the current state of the achieved level of sustainable energy development as a whole and defines possible strategic directions for energy development in the region. The paper also examines the possibility for implementation of the adopted EU target of 20% RES energy production. The main characteristics in the region are high energy consumption, high values of carbon emission, fossil fuels import dependency, constant production and electric energy supply, and high potential but minimal RES energy production. Further development of regulation framework and market liberalization is are basic preconditions of demanding energy reform in all countries. Increasing energy the second energy development priority. The third long term strategic goal is increasing the amount of the energy obtained from hydro and transition to clean coal technologies. Intensifying RES production is currently the fourth strategic priority. The analysis shows that production of energy from wind is priority for the region, but currently it is constrained by too great investment requirements for developing countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Shipping is a major contributor to global CO 2 emissions. Various operational and technical measures have been proposed to reduce ship emissions. However, these emission reduction measures may not be all economically feasible to implement. Therefore, it is important to rank all these measures and select the most cost-effective measures for emissions reduction. Moreover, there are various uncertainties in evaluating emission reduction measures, such as uncertainties of implementation cost, fuel consumption, abatement potential and fuel price. These uncertainties may significantly influence the ranking of the emission reduction measures, which further result in an inappropriate selection of the measures for implementation. In this paper, a ranking algorithm with a new criterion is proposed to rank all the emission reduction measures by considering the preference between cost and abatement. Furthermore, a ranking under uncertainty method is developed which takes into account various uncertainties of the impact factors. This method can support policy makers in ranking and selecting emission reduction measures more appropriately by better quantifying and reflecting the uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy sectors of all the countries around the world are faced with a big challenge: the energy transition under the imperative of continuous reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The energy transition and the sustainability constraints pose a significant challenge for engineers, researcher and scientists developing new and clean energy-efficient technologies. Energy production and transformations, along with its storage, distribution and consumption, are achieved by utilising new and clean energy technologies, with the goal of the continuous increase of energy efficiency, the growth of renewable energy sources utilisation, the uninterrupted switch from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources, and the continued reduction of CO2 emissions. This editorial paper addresses the latest progress and the findings in research and developments in the sustainable energy technologies, energy and environment systems from selected papers of the conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems held in 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As a representative of many emerging economies, BRICS’ economies have been greatly developed in recent years. Meanwhile, the proportion of energy consumption of BRICS to the whole world consumption has increased. Therefore, it is significant to analyze and compare the energy efficiency among them. This paper firstly utilizes a Super-SBM model to measure and calculate the energy efficiency of BRICS, then analyzes their present status and development trend. Further, Bootstrap is applied to modify the values based on DEA derived from small sample data, and finally the relationship between energy efficiency and carbon emissions is measured. Results show that energy efficiency of BRICS as a whole is low but has a quickly increasing trend. Also, the relationship between energy efficiency and carbon emissions vary from country to country because of their different energy structures. The governments of BRICS should make some relevant energy policies according to their own conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Effective monitoring and numerical simulations are essential to understanding the implications of long-term geological carbon storage; in particular, the predictions of CO2 plume flow under storage conditions, storage integrity of sites, and the design and operational aspects of the CO2 storage projects could be significantly supplemented. Site monitoring data can assure reliability and accuracy of the numerical simulation while numerical prediction results will provide more detailed information on the storage process. The cross-validation between numerical modelling results and monitoring data can play a major role in the development of carbon capture and storage technology. This paper briefly reviews the monitoring and modelling technologies associated with geological carbon storage. In addition, the spatial and temporal resolutions of the numerical simulations are highlighted, while estimations on the resolutions of some commonly used monitoring technologies are also presented. It is revealed that there are gaps in the correlations and cross-validation between the two technologies, where a possible option to reduce the gaps is to enforce more research efforts on multi-scale modelling and appropriate variable correlations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In spite of the rapid development and introduction of renewable and alternative resources, coal still continues to be the most significant fuel to meet the global electricity demand. Emission from existing coal based power plants is, besides others, identified as one of the major sources of anthropogenic carbon dioxide, responsible for climate change. Advanced coal based power plants with acceptable efficiency and low carbon dioxide emission are therefore in sharp focus for current development. The integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant with pre-combustion carbon capture is a prospective technology option for this purpose. However, such plants currently have limitations regarding fuel flexibility, performance, etc. In an EU initiative (H2-IGCC project), possible improvements of such plants are being explored. These involve using premix combustion of undiluted hydrogen-rich syngas and improved fuel flexibility without adversely affecting the availability and reliability of the plant and also making minor modifications to existing gas turbines for this purpose. In this paper, detailed thermodynamic models and assumptions of the preliminary configuration of such a plant are reported, with performance analysis based on available practical data and information. The overall efficiency of the IGCC power plant with carbon capture is estimated to 36.3% (LHV). The results confirm the fact that a significant penalty on efficiency is associated with the capture of CO2. This penalty is 21.6% relative to the IGCC without CO2 capture, i.e. 10.0% points. Estimated significant performance indicators as well as comparisons with alternative schemes have been presented. Some possible future developments based on these results and the overall objective of the project are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]