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Increasing concerns about air pollution and the promise of enhancing energy security have stimulated the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide. Compared with gasoline vehicles (GVs), EVs have no emissions and are more environmentally friendly to the sustainable transportation system. Since these two types of vehicles with different emission externalities and observable differences, in this paper, we propose a differentiable road pricing for EVs and GVs to simultaneously manage congestion and emissions by establishing a two-class bi-objective optimization (TCBO) model. First, we investigate whether the differentiable road pricing can induce user equilibrium pattern into a unique pareto-efficient pattern. Then performance of the bi-criteria system optimal is measured by bounding the deviation gap of the Pareto frontier. Specifically, we bound how far the total system travel time and total system emissions at a given Pareto optimum can deviate from their respective single-criterion based system optimum. Finally, we investigate the maximum efficiency gain of the bi-criteria system achieved through implementing differentiable road pricing by comparing total system travel time and total system emissions under two states. After defining two types of price of anarchy (POA), the theoretical bound for the worst possible ratio of total system travel time\ total system emissions in user equilibrium state to the total system travel time\ total system emissions in Pareto-efficient state is derived out. In order to validate the feasibility of theoretical bound, we conduct case studies to calculate the numerical bound of POA based on two Chinese cities: Shenzhen and Lasa. Overall, quantifying the maximum efficiency of differentiable road pricing is beneficial for improving the network designing, policy implementation and social efficiency with regard to congestion and emissions caused by EV and GV users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world's largest market for vehicles, China is facing challenges related to energy security and urban air pollution. The development of electric vehicles has been determined to be the national strategy for solving these problems. By the end of 2015, China had become the world's largest electric vehicles market, but its core technologies are still less competitive in the global marketplace. A scientific national strategy for 2016 to 2020 is expected to play a critical role in China becoming the global leader in the electric vehicle industry. The research process for this strategy includes a review of the technologies for electric vehicles, market analyses, benchmarking of the top levels in the field, and expert interviews. By these approaches, the strengths and weaknesses of China's electric vehicle technologies and industry are assessed. Competitive and feasible quantitative goals for key components and powertrains are proposed by this paper, and a core issue has been determined to be the need to improve the safety of high-energy density traction batteries. Improving the power density of electric control units is expected to the core for electric vehicles' electronics and control systems. Key problems for the fuel cell stacks used in cars and buses have been identified by this paper to be, respectively, power density and durability. Long-range plug-in hybrid electric powertrains are the optimal candidate for Chinese plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Lightweight material, intelligent driving technologies and special electric chassis are set to be the focus for improving the energy efficiency of battery electric vehicles. Comprehensive safety and recyclable electric vehicle technologies are set to become key issues in the future, and the Chinese government should research and develop these in advance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Four alternative low carbon scenarios for Nigeria were developed using NECAL2050. • Analysis revealed that fossil fuels will dominate Nigeria's energy system by 2050 if the current policies are not changed. • Bioenergy will play a significant role towards decarbonizing Nigeria. • The policy implications of alternative low carbon pathways were explored. Due to the adverse impacts of energy production and consumption on the climate, countries across the world are now charged with developing effective strategies that provide energy security and protect the climate. However, studies exploring pathways to reduce energy demand and GHG emissions in Nigeria are limited and have not really focused on what is technically feasible within the country. In this research, we use the Nigerian Energy Calculator 2050 to examine and compare the energy balances and GHG mitigation potentials for four alternative low carbon scenarios which are possible by 2050. Results show that the alternative low carbon pathways will reduce energy consumption, GHG emissions, and air pollution compared to the business-as-usual case. However, our analysis indicates that fossil fuels will still dominate the Nigerian energy system in all scenarios by 2050. Thus, efforts that successfully decouple economic development from GHG emissions are still needed to keep Nigeria on the path of low carbon transition. Our findings further suggest that bioenergy and energy efficiency will play significant roles towards decarbonizing Nigeria. Policy implications for low carbon transition based on our analysis are also discussed. This paper may serve as a reference for developing energy and climate policies in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper adopts the contingent valuation method to study people's willingness to pay for the adoption of new energy buses in the four most developed cities of China: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. An interval regression model is employed to analyze the influencing factors of people's willingness to pay and estimate the exact amount of extra money people would pay per fare. The results show that approximately eighty percent of the respondents in the four cities would like to pay extra fare to support the adoption of new energy buses and the specific amount is 0.653 RMB/fare among all the respondents. Those with higher household income, who are younger, who think the adoption can significantly improve air quality and who deem that they live in a place with good air quality are willing to pay higher. But public concern about energy security issue in China does not have significant impact on the willingness to pay. It is therefore recommended that setting a higher price for new energy bus fare is reasonable and more knowledge of new energy buses should be conveyed to the public, especially its purpose of improving air quality and alleviating the high pressure of energy security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaching the economic, environmental and sustainability objectives of all societies requires overcoming several major energy challenges; it necessitates rapid progress in multiple areas. The scenario pathways presented in this paper describe transformative changes toward these goals, taking a broad view of the four main energy challenges faced by society in the 21st century: providing universal access to modern energy for all; reducing the impacts of energy production on human health and the environment; avoiding dangerous climate change; and enhancing energy security. The overarching objective of the paper is to provide policy guidance on how to facilitate the transformation of the energy system to achieve these multiple energy objectives. Particular focus is given to the required pace of the transformation at both the global and regional levels, and to the types of financial and policy measures that will be needed to ensure a successful transition. Synergies and trade-offs between the objectives are identified, and co-benefits quantified. The paper makes an important contribution to the scenario literature by approaching the global transition toward sustainable development in a more integrated, holistic manner than is common in other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Renewable energy and energy efficiency (REEE) policies have far-reaching implications for energy security, climate change, economic competitiveness, pollution, and human livelihood. For these reasons, REEE has become a national priority for the Chinese government, particularly since 2005. This paper aims to critically review China's REEE policies in six sectors: electricity, industry, transportation, buildings, and local government. In addition to examining the progress China has made in the development and implementation of REEE policies, this review also identifies limitations and room for improvement. Finally, five policy recommendations are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Energy security has become very important in the current energy regime of the world. This paper proposes an assessment framework for measuring energy security named Holistic Energy Security Index (HESI) and then reports a study that used it to measure the energy security of Thailand for the time period of 2007-2030. The HESI is formulated to assess energy security under six main themes which are base diversity, oil security, gas security, vulnerability, sustainability and energy development, and each of these themes has sub-indicators which indicate the level of security in each theme. The Thai energy system has been modeled using an integer programming based optimization model called "Model for Energy Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental Impacts" (MESSAGE). The energy system has been modeled as an individual case study consisting of 10 scenarios, which include different policy options and measures in the power sector such as Integrated Resource Planning (IRP), Low Carbon Society (LCS) and nuclear power technology. Results indicate that in comparison to the year 2007, the energy security of Thailand has a decreasing trend in the reference scenario. In terms of enhancing energy security, the IRP scenario performs the best followed by LCS and Combined (COM) scenarios. The oil security of Thailand is not increased significantly by the policy options modeled. The gas security is increased by nuclear technology, and by IRP measures. There is significant occurrence of mitigation of local air pollutants such as SO2 and NOx along with CO2 mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Increased use of ethanol in the United States fuel supply will impact emissions and ambient concentrations of greenhouse gases, “criteria” pollutants for which the U. S. EPA sets ambient air quality standards, and a variety of air toxic compounds. This paper focuses on impacts of increased ethanol use on ozone and air toxics under a potential implementation scenario resulting from mandates in the U. S. Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. The assessment of impacts was done for calendar year 2022, when 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels must be used. Impacts were assessed relative to a baseline which assumed ethanol volumes mandated by the first renewable fuels standard promulgated by U. S. EPA in early 2007. This assessment addresses both impacts of increased ethanol use on vehicle and other engine emissions, referred to as “downstream” emissions, and “upstream” impacts, i.e., those connected with fuel production and distribution. Air quality modeling was performed for the continental United States using the Community Multi-scale Air Quality Model (CMAQ), version 4.7. Pollutants included in the assessment were ozone, acetaldehyde, ethanol, formaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, and 1,3-butadiene. Results suggest that increased ethanol use due to EISA in 2022 will adversely increase ozone concentrations over much of the U.S., by as much as 1ppb. However, EISA is projected to improve ozone air quality in a few highly-populated areas that currently have poor air quality. Most of the ozone improvements are due to our assumption of increases in nitrogen oxides (NO x ) in volatile organic compound (VOC)-limited areas. While there are some localized impacts, the EISA renewable fuel standards have relatively little impact on national average ambient concentrations of most air toxics, although ethanol concentrations increase substantially. Significant uncertainties are associated with all results, due to limitations in available data. These uncertainties are discussed in detail. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]