The Clean Energy Economy: Repowering Jobs, Businesses and Investments Across America

Examines U.S. and state-by-state clean energy policies and trends in and potential for growth in jobs, businesses, and investments. Explores policy options for a comprehensive plan, including financial incentives and energy efficiency standards

Design of sustainable energy systems : a new challenge for Engineering Education

This paper presents the main features of the master-level programme in “EcoEnergy” offered as a full-time one year course at “Institut National Polytechnique of Toulouse” in order to provide engineers with a state-of-the-art education in the area of advanced energy technologies and systems. It is based on an original and equilibrated combination of process systems engineering and electrical engineering disciplines, with an interdisciplinary problem-solving approach necessary for identifying sustainable solutions in the energy sector. More precisely, the students learn how to design, develop and implement energy systems and technologies in various industrial sectors for which efficient management of energy issues is vital to remain competitive

An economic evaluation of the potential for distributed energy in Australia

Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) recently completed a major study investigating the value of distributed energy (DE; collectively demand management, energy efficiency and distributed generation) technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Australia’s energy sector (CSIRO, 2009). This comprehensive report covered potential economic, environmental, technical, social, policy and regulatory impacts that could result from the wide scale adoption of these technologies. In this paper we highlight the economic findings from the study. Partial Equilibrium modeling of the stationary and transport sectors found that Australia could achieve a present value welfare gain of around $130 billion when operating under a 450 ppm carbon reduction trajectory through to 2050. Modeling also suggests that reduced volatility in the spot market could decrease average prices by up to 12% in 2030 and 65% in 2050 by using local resources to better cater for an evolving supply-demand imbalance. Further modeling suggests that even a small amount of distributed generation located within a distribution network has the potential to significantly alter electricity prices by changing the merit order of dispatch in an electricity spot market. Changes to the dispatch relative to a base case can have both positive and negative effects on network losses.Distributed energy; Economic modeling; Carbon price; Electricity markets

A dynamic simulation of low-carbon policy influences on endogenous electricity demand in an isolated island system

This paper considers the dynamics of electricity demand in response to changes arising from low-carbon policies and socio-economic developments. As part of an investigation into the evolution of such systems on small economically-developed islands, endogenous electricity demand and associated policies are studied for the Azorean island of São Miguel. A comprehensive System Dynamics (SD) model covering the period 2005 − 2050 is presented which captures both historical behaviours and real-world influences on the endogenous demand dynamics of an island-based electricity system. The impact of tourism, energy efficiency and electric vehicles (EV) expansion allied with associated policy options, are critically evaluated by the SD model using a series of scenarios. The model shows that energy efficiency measures exhibit the most significant long-term impact on electricity demand, while in contrast, policies to increase tourism have a much less direct impact and EV expansion has thought-provoking impacts on the long-term demand, although this is not as influential as energy efficiency measures

Small-Scale Hybrid Photovoltaic-Biomass Systems Feasibility Analysis for Higher Education Buildings

[EN] Applications of renewable electricity in cities are mostly limited to photovoltaics, and they need other renewable sources, batteries, and the grid to guarantee reliability. This paper proposes a hybrid system, combining biomass and photovoltaics, to supply electricity to educational buildings. This system is reliable and provides at least 50% of electricity based on renewable sources. Buildings with small (70%) implies high electricity costs.This work was supported in part by the European Commission through project "Holistic And Scalable Solution For Research, Innovation And Education In Energy Tran project" (Agreement number: 837854). This work was supported in part by the European Commission through GROW GREEN project (Agreement number: 730283 - GROW GREEN-H2020-SCC-2016-2017/H2020-SCC-NBS-2stage-2016. http://growgreenproject.eu/). This work was completed in the framework of the activities of the Renewable Area research group of the IUIIE (Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ingeniería Energética) in regional, national, and international projects. The authors deeply thank the Universitat Politècnica de València, IMPIVA-Generalitat Valenciana, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology, and the European Commission for the funded projects coming from this organization.Alfonso-Solar, D.; Vargas-Salgado Carlos; Sánchez-Diaz, C.; Hurtado-Perez, E. (2020). Small-Scale Hybrid Photovoltaic-Biomass Systems Feasibility Analysis for Higher Education Buildings. Sustainability. 12(21):1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219300S1141221Pérez-Navarro, A., Alfonso, D., Ariza, H. E., Cárcel, J., Correcher, A., Escrivá-Escrivá, G., … Vargas, C. (2016). Experimental verification of hybrid renewable systems as feasible energy sources. Renewable Energy, 86, 384-391. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2015.08.030Prasad, M., & Munch, S. (2012). State-level renewable electricity policies and reductions in carbon emissions. Energy Policy, 45, 237-242. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2012.02.024Gielen, D., Boshell, F., Saygin, D., Bazilian, M. D., Wagner, N., & Gorini, R. (2019). The role of renewable energy in the global energy transformation. Energy Strategy Reviews, 24, 38-50. doi:10.1016/j.esr.2019.01.006Bracco, S. (2020). A Study for the Optimal Exploitation of Solar, Wind and Hydro Resources and Electrical Storage Systems in the Bormida Valley in the North of Italy. Energies, 13(20), 5291. doi:10.3390/en13205291Directorate-General for Energy, EU Commission. Clean Energy for All Europeanshttps://ec.europa.eu/energy/topics/energy-strategy/clean-energy-all-europeans_enURLÓhAiseadha, C., Quinn, G., Connolly, R., Connolly, M., & Soon, W. (2020). Energy and Climate Policy—An Evaluation of Global Climate Change Expenditure 2011–2018. Energies, 13(18), 4839. doi:10.3390/en13184839Hart, E. K., & Jacobson, M. Z. (2011). A Monte Carlo approach to generator portfolio planning and carbon emissions assessments of systems with large penetrations of variable renewables. Renewable Energy, 36(8), 2278-2286. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2011.01.015Acevedo-Arenas, C. Y., Correcher, A., Sánchez-Díaz, C., Ariza, E., Alfonso-Solar, D., Vargas-Salgado, C., & Petit-Suárez, J. F. (2019). MPC for optimal dispatch of an AC-linked hybrid PV/wind/biomass/H2 system incorporating demand response. Energy Conversion and Management, 186, 241-257. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2019.02.044Bajpai, P., & Dash, V. (2012). Hybrid renewable energy systems for power generation in stand-alone applications: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(5), 2926-2939. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2012.02.009Bernal-Agustín, J. L., & Dufo-López, R. (2009). Simulation and optimization of stand-alone hybrid renewable energy systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 13(8), 2111-2118. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2009.01.010Karakoulidis, K., Mavridis, K., Bandekas, D. V., Adoniadis, P., Potolias, C., & Vordos, N. (2011). Techno-economic analysis of a stand-alone hybrid photovoltaic-diesel–battery-fuel cell power system. Renewable Energy, 36(8), 2238-2244. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2010.12.003Kusakana, K. (2015). Optimal scheduled power flow for distributed photovoltaic/wind/diesel generators with battery storage system. IET Renewable Power Generation, 9(8), 916-924. doi:10.1049/iet-rpg.2015.0027Koutroulis, E., Kolokotsa, D., Potirakis, A., & Kalaitzakis, K. (2006). Methodology for optimal sizing of stand-alone photovoltaic/wind-generator systems using genetic algorithms. Solar Energy, 80(9), 1072-1088. doi:10.1016/j.solener.2005.11.002Ipsakis, D., Voutetakis, S., Seferlis, P., Stergiopoulos, F., & Elmasides, C. (2009). Power management strategies for a stand-alone power system using renewable energy sources and hydrogen storage. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 34(16), 7081-7095. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2008.06.051Mata, É., Sasic Kalagasidis, A., & Johnsson, F. (2014). Building-stock aggregation through archetype buildings: France, Germany, Spain and the UK. Building and Environment, 81, 270-282. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.06.013HOMER Energyhttps://www.homerenergy.com/Oladigbolu, J. O., Ramli, M. A. M., & Al-Turki, Y. A. (2020). Optimal Design of a Hybrid PV Solar/Micro-Hydro/Diesel/Battery Energy System for a Remote Rural Village under Tropical Climate Conditions. Electronics, 9(9), 1491. doi:10.3390/electronics9091491Hurtado, E., Peñalvo-López, E., Pérez-Navarro, Á., Vargas, C., & Alfonso, D. (2015). Optimization of a hybrid renewable system for high feasibility application in non-connected zones. Applied Energy, 155, 308-314. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.05.097Kebede, A. A., Berecibar, M., Coosemans, T., Messagie, M., Jemal, T., Behabtu, H. A., & Van Mierlo, J. (2020). A Techno-Economic Optimization and Performance Assessment of a 10 kWP Photovoltaic Grid-Connected System. Sustainability, 12(18), 7648. doi:10.3390/su12187648Hafez, O., & Bhattacharya, K. (2012). Optimal planning and design of a renewable energy based supply system for microgrids. Renewable Energy, 45, 7-15. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2012.01.087European Pellet Report. European Pellet Quality Certification (PELLCERT) project. PellCert. Published on April 2012https://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/projects/sites/iee-projects/files/projects/documents/pellcert_european_pellet_report.pdf/Alfonso, D., Perpiñá, C., Pérez-Navarro, A., Peñalvo, E., Vargas, C., & Cárdenas, R. (2009). Methodology for optimization of distributed biomass resources evaluation, management and final energy use. Biomass and Bioenergy, 33(8), 1070-1079. doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2009.04.002Perpiñá, C., Alfonso, D., Pérez-Navarro, A., Peñalvo, E., Vargas, C., & Cárdenas, R. (2009). Methodology based on Geographic Information Systems for biomass logistics and transport optimisation. Renewable Energy, 34(3), 555-565. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2008.05.047Technology Roadmap: Delivering Sustainable Bioenergyhttps://www.ieabioenergy.com/publications/technology-roadmap-delivering-sustainable-bioenergy/HOMER Pro 3.14 User Manualhttps://www.homerenergy.com/products/pro/docs/latest/index.htmlLao, C., & Chungpaibulpatana, S. (2017). Techno-economic analysis of hybrid system for rural electrification in Cambodia. Energy Procedia, 138, 524-529. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2017.10.23

Political Economy of International Climate Finance: Navigating Decisions in PPCR and SREP

This working paper explores how countries can build their own 'climate finance readiness' by understanding their internal political economy and use that understanding to steer consensus-based decisions on climate finance investments. For climate finance to be effective, national leaders must build shared commitments. This involves considering the arguments, incentives and power dynamics at play to ensure priorities are more equitable and representative of a broader group of stakeholders. Doing so will also help to reduce the risk of implementation delays. This paper uses case studies from Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Nepal to explore how narratives and incentives within the political economy drive climate investment outcomes under the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR) and the Scaling up Renewable Energy Programme (SREP). It draws from broader analysis of the discourses around these investments, including 80 interviews with government; multilateral development banks (MDBs) and other stakeholders

No Reason to Wait: The Benefits of Greenhouse Gas Reduction in Sao Paulo and California

Outlines initiatives implemented by California and Sao Paulo to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gas, increase energy efficiency, and reduce air and other pollutants. Discusses economic, public health, and energy security benefits of the initiatives

A review of microgrid development in the United States – A decade of progress on policies, demonstrations, controls, and software tools

Microgrids have become increasingly popular in the United States. Supported by favorable federal and local policies, microgrid projects can provide greater energy stability and resilience within a project site or community. This paper reviews major federal, state, and utility-level policies driving microgrid development in the United States. Representative U.S. demonstration projects are selected and their technical characteristics and non-technical features are introduced. The paper discusses trends in the technology development of microgrid systems as well as microgrid control methods and interactions within the electricity market. Software tools for microgrid design, planning, and performance analysis are illustrated with each tool's core capability. Finally, the paper summarizes the successes and lessons learned during the recent expansion of the U.S. microgrid industry that may serve as a reference for other countries developing their own microgrid industries

Mitigation Strategies and Costs of Climate Protection: The effects of ETC in the hybrid Model MIND

MIND is a hybrid model incorporating several energy related sectors in an endogenous growth model of the world economy. This model structure allows a better understanding of the linkages between the energy sectors and the macro-economic environment. We perform a sensitivity analysis and parameter studies to improve the understanding of the economic mechanisms underlying opportunity costs and the optimal mix of mitigation options. Parameters representing technological change that permeates the entire economy have a strong impact on both the opportunity costs of climate protection and on the optimal mitigation strategies, e.g. parameters in the macro-economic environment and in the extraction sector. Sector-specific energy technology parameters change the portfolio of mitigation options but have only modest effects on opportunity costs, e.g. learning rate of the renewable energy technologies. We conclude that feedback loops between the macro-economy and the energy sectors are crucial for the determination of opportunity costs and mitigation strategies.Endogenous technological change, Climate change mitigation costs, Integrated assessment, Growth model, Energy sector, Integrated assessment